On the effective early use of Pretenders in combat

[Peter Ebbesen]

Immobile pretenders certainly have their uses. The are typically cheap and have high starting paths and dominion while having low path costs, which means you can get either stronger ritual magic, better blessings, or better scales. Best for longer games, though, where their magic and dominion can really shine.

Don't choose the Sphinx, however. It has no redeeming abilities whatsoever as it is inferior to the Sacred Statue, the Monolith, and even the Oracle - but costs more.