good races for/against newbies.

[thejeff]

Taking on armies by themselves is pretty much the definition of an SC. If you bring an army, you have to make the army tough enough not to route before the SC kills everything or the SC will retreat even if they're winning. If the army is that tough, they'd probably win without the SC.

Unequipped NJs aren't quite in that class, but even with a little gear they're real close. The N9 bless helps mostly by keeping afflictions away.

Last time I tried Neifelheim, I think I started with a Gode and an army of Woodsmen and separately a NJ and my W9N9 Son of Neifel. With the blessing on the NJ and a few buffs, the two of them could handle most 9 str independents. (Quickness, Breath of Winter, Personal Regeneration, maybe something else I'm forgetting.)

Sieges and major battles against a nation's main forces, you may want more. Of course, by that time you should have enough construction and gems to outfit the SC properly.