Crush my enemies and drive them before me

[1000yd_stare]

And hear the lamentation of their women!!

Why am I posting this, you ask? Why do you care? Because Unwise, a possible enemy/ally in our first MP game is already asking for advice on the Arco's in another thread. And he has gotten some good advice. Ominously good. Curse him, and may his elephants always rout! Except for that get drunk and let the other players win, that I like.

I will be Tien Chi (with a couple missing apostrophes) in this game. The other players are Caelum and Pangaea (satyrs and such), and the aforementioned Arcosephale (played by Unwise). I am a newbie (to D2, have MP experience in others), with a penchant for screaming and leaping instead of slow build ups and steamrolling. My god, the Great Crouching Tigger, is an Archmage who dabbles in almost all elements of magic, but concentrates on Astral. My realm, soon to cover the backwater world of "The Sundering", is an orderly realm, where everything is average but the dominion is high.

So, o sages of the Dominons, please give me some pointers on how to use my Han infantry and Mongol hordes to drive my enemies before me!
Besides, cold beer is at stake, and I much rather prefer they buy it than I.

[Nagot Gick Fel]

Originally posted by 1000yd_stare:
So, o sages of the Dominons, please give me some pointers on how to use my Han infantry and Mongol hordes to drive my enemies before me!

Vs Arco, use your superior firepower. Wind Guide and Flaming Arrows are your best friends here. Don't forget to order part of your bowmen to fire at 'large enemy monsters'. And beware Mind Duellists.

[Taqwus]

Dispossessed Spirits are a good early 'bulk' summon for a front line; they're very cheap (15 for 4 death gems), easy to summon (death-1 mage can do it IIRC), are ethereal (so even hypasists and hoplites will do no damage 75% of hits), can do slight paralyze damage, don't need food (better for bulk). They'll give you time for your missile troops to do more damage.
Arco astrologers, mystics will be a problem due to Astral Duel. I'd want a Banner of the Northern Star ASAP just to better the odds slightly. Some indy mages can also help with this.
Demon of Heavenly Fires is fun and not too pricey, might be theme-restricted to Spring and Autumn (don't recall).
The three national heroes of T'ien C'hi are immortal. Take advantage of this, but be aware of the shifting dominion. One of 'em makes a decent good warrior-mage when armored, with suitable power-up like Astral Shield, Astral Weapon, Fire Shield.

[Teraswaerto]

Demon of Heavenly Rivers/Fires are Spring and Autumn only. Basic Tien Chi gets the Celestial Soldiers and Servants.

It's fun send the immortal, disease spreading, Master with the Iron Crutch on suicide missions inside your dominion.

[Taqwus]

Oh, BTW -- access to death magic (needs at least 2 points; 'course, even 2 pts can summon a Revenant and give him a Skull Staff) + Construction 4 => Skull Mentors for a hefty research bonus. Air, fire provide items with lesser bonuses as well. Good for ramping up if you expect the game to Last that long.

[void]

Originally posted by Teraswaerto:
Demon of Heavenly Rivers/Fires are Spring and Autumn only. Basic Tien Chi gets the Celestial Soldiers and Servants.

It's fun send the immortal, disease spreading, Master with the Iron Crutch on suicide missions inside your dominion.

In Ti'en C'hi, i have just entered the new year: Monkey year.
Say to myself,HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Glad Språng Festival / 愉快 弥生 祝い / Glücklich Quelle Fest / Joyeux Émaner Fête / Счастливый Прыгать Празднество ^^

Vs Arco,Spring and Autumn is a easier choice...^^