Another one bites the dust

[kasnavada]

So what *is* a good way of frying AI superhordes? Assuming I don't have level-9 magic, and I don't want to consume gems faster than he can replace troops.

I would use large AOE spells rather than relying on melee to clear any army numbering more than 100. Heat from Hell, Foul Vapors require relatively low path and research... There should be some caster you've got access to that can use one of those spells or similar ones.