Speeding Up Tien Chi Spring and Autumn ?!

[Mardagg]

Originally posted by Vynd:
This thread has drifted somewhat off its original topic. And yet I think it proves Arralen's point that Tien Chi S&A is a relatively weak theme that could use some help. If S&A's national troops and required scales are so bad that you may as well forget about buying them and just pour all of your points into a Pretender, then S&A is not very good.

I disagree here.
To clarify my opinion on topic:

If you want ok troops,you can play base tien chi.
You have,besides a nice variety of mages,good alround armies.Still,even for base Tien Chi,the strength of the nation lies in the magic power.

The composite bowmen are cheap and if you think in bigger numbers(+20 archers)the difference between the better composite bow and a normal short bow does matter.Also you have crossbowmen right from the start,as well as ok heavy infantries,even a bless effect strategy might work.
S&A on the otherhand has a strong amount of 3 starting summoning spells,which all require different gems(thats a big advantage!),and one of the best mages of the game,with increased power compared to base theme, so I see no problem why the national troops lack some unique units compared to base theme.
Just because there is no need to buy lots of national troops,because you can summon your armies right from the start,doesnt mean they need better troops.
It plays differently than the base theme and is certainly not much weaker,if at all(I consider it stronger in most situations btw)...and that is exactly what the developers say the themes are for.

Barbarian Kings need improvement,lots of it.