Is black plate worth it?

[jaif]

Btw, at a higher level this point is pretty much moot anyways, at least when it comes to ULM's power. Let's pretend that black plate is highly worthwhile, and thus ULM has better infantry and arbelists.

It doesn't matter. This factor is not going to make up for:

a) poor magic.
b) poor priests.
c) average regular commanders.

If you want to keep the theme of a magic-poor, steel-based civ, you really need to flesh out the non-magic units. More mechanical constructs at a lower level, more "thuggable" commanders (as someone here but it), more special commanders (patrol bonus, asssassins). Simply having better regular troops is not enough.

FWIW, I believe that Tien Chi's regular army is superior to ULMs. Heavy enough units, better choices, more flexible commander layout (with eunuch). I could probably make the same claim about a lot of armies.

-Jeff