Ethereal and Defense Value

[Jagdpanther]

Is the defense value still used in melee combat if the unit being hit is ethereal?

If so, is the ethereal check before or after the regular hit calculation?

If so, I assume that it is a good idea to bless the sacred ethereal unit if your pretender god has high water magic?

[lch]

It's a no-brainer to bless good sacreds like the Shadow Vestals if the bless gives them any form of combat advantage.

[Jagdpanther]

Thank you for the quick reply.

I am trying to understand the battle mechanics when an Ethereal unit is involved.

[Saulot]

To answer your first question, yes.

It doesn't matter whether the ethereal check happens before or after the regular hit calculation, it drops 3/4 of mundane attacks period.

Obviously, things which synergize with preventing hits, like higher defense from say, a water bless are a good idea.

[lch]

I didn't check, but I would expect that defense rolls are being made first, and on hit the ethereal effect kicks in: Only one hit out of four with non-magic weapons.

[Jagdpanther]

Thanks for the answers.

Blessing the ancestors from the 'wrath of ancestors' spell does help. There measly 8hp is boosted to 12. (I use them to keep the enemy away from my archers.)