[Jarkko]

I did some tests with CBM 1.82 and the Carrion Dragon. For those who are not aware, in CBM 1.82 Carrion Dragon got a Vine Shield like ability.

To be honest, that ability didn't sound too sexy to me. Still, I wanted to check if it helps against missiles. It doesn't. The Carrion Dragon ah so slowly wading to melee sucks just as much as ever before, although in actual melee his survivability is much increased (because the opponents in melee get all tangled up).

Another change that happened with CBM 1.8 is that Pangaea can cast Panic at research level 0. So I had to try this too.

I took an awake D4N4 Dom9 Carrion Dragon (for EA). Sent out the CD solo, scripted with Panic*5, Attack Rear. Results varied from absolute disasters to absolute successes (wonderful against barbarians as they rout before getting any hits, while a lizard shaman leading indies succeeded to actually kill the CD).

I then tried the CD with 10 javelin chucking satyrs, and this proved to be a true killer. With the CD starting 3 steps left (ie just outside of the range where light infantry and barbarians would reach on round 2) or 5 steps left of front line (ie just outside of range in which cavalry would be able to charge on round 2) with the javelin throwers set as far back as possible with Fire Closest. The Carrion Dragon gets of 2 Panics, the closest enemies are well within the range of the massive fear the CD causes, and then the javelins fall on the closest enemies. Went through 10 provinces (attacking blindly on turn 1, and attacking each turn until turn 10) without losing a single satyr or the CD gaining any afflictions (a few times somebody actually got to hit the CD, but Awe and the Vineshield effect protected him just fine). The only downside was that he got cursed by a lizard shammy (really, I have a very hard time to remember the simple rule: "DO NOT ATTACK LIZARD SHAMANS WITH A PRETENDER!").


Does CBM 1.82 thus make Carrion Dragon a good SC choice for Pangaea? Well, not really, at least compared with a Great Bull, who just plows on like a duracell bunny from turn one, without needing any help). Then again, as EA Pangaea it easy to empower into blood, and there are some very nice combos one could come up with a DNB mage, the Carrion Dragon could perhaps have some use later on too (just remember to pull him to lab duties early enough).