[Squirrelloid]

Also, offensive defense. Raid a province, move communion in to defend against reprisal. Get your opponent to attack you somewhere you're unexpectedly strong.

And use a crystal matrix on your master so you can drop something worthwhile turn 1, possibly with a mage who didn't have astral to begin with. Mistform or Invulnerability suggest themselves, and can easily be provided by summons. (if the matrixed master is on the bottom, all the slaves will join the communion first, and thus be protected by whatever the master casts - making them far more resilient to whatever communion counter your opponent has).

Or drop something that doesn't require the casting mage to be communioned: Army of Gold (Tart Cyclops or Troll King with boots) or Fog Warriors (Faerie Queens are the easiest, probably, but you can get tarts which are good for it) are probably my favorites.