Iron Faith: Comments and Suggestions

[Chris Byler]

I concur with the Templar Commander suggestion.

Instead of a "Black Grandmaster" unit, though, why not an Iron Patriarch national hero specific to the Iron Faith theme (perhaps the founder of the Iron Inquisition)? Then IW can be a little more liberal with his abilities (Earth-3 Holy-4?) without it being too overpowered because you can only have one of him. And if you don't take a strong Earth pretender, you could still make up for it with the Iron Patriarch - if you have a luck scale and can get him reasonably soon. National heroes are not just cool, they can have a significant impact on a game.

Actually, Black Paladin could work as a hero instead of a unit, too; but I like it as a commander unit, to lead the Templar into battle (I do the same thing with Knights of the Chalice and Paladins; if you put the commander in the middle of the knights his bless will hit most or all of them).

As for the Black Acolyte, do you think he would be more interesting as a Battle Deacon-like fighting priest (wearing Ulmish chain or even Ulmish plate, with hammer and shield)? Armor encumbrance would limit his use of banishment, but he could still bless himself and other sacred units and be more resistant to stray (or even well-aimed) arrows. With the right bless effect or maybe an item or two he could be quite handy, especially for such a low cost (of course he would cost more resources if he is decked out in Ulmish armor). Seems appropriate for at least some Ulmish priests to do their preaching from the front lines, anyway.