So far what nations look strong... and weak?

[apoger]

Just to show how fluid things are right now...

I'm upgrading Ermor [Soul Gate] and Ermor [Broken Empire] to "potent". BE due to the availability of nether dart mages. SG due to a better appreciation of the summons. I like both these themes much more than the Ashen Empire theme.

I still don't like C'tis [Misama]. The extra nature/water doesn't make up for the loss of death specialty IMHO. Furthermore, the incompatibility with indy mages/troops and most pretenders is brutal. On the other hand, if it makes you happy... don't let me stop you from having fun.

I have to disagree on Pangea Carrion Woods. Reanimiation includes Manikins, Carrion Beasts (which include the Carrion Elephants which can tear through an army).

They have a fast start with their Mino's and War Minos, and of course still have their stealth in the satyr's and Harpies.

Even the Panic apostates being overpriced (320 Gold! 3 Nature, 2 Death) you could field a decent army along with your Carrion Lord(s) Ladies very quickly. The only real downside I can see is their magic resistance; as you are forced to take at least a +1 Magic scale.

I would have to say I've very impressed. GROWTH 3 all the way BABY.

[PvK]

I had no problems using Ulm (Iron Faith) up to turn 40. They certainly had no problem stomping Mictlan, often because Mictlan armies would rout when their slaves started dying. (An idea for an advantage to add to slaves would be to make them not cause morale checks when they die. At least, the AI might be programmed to put them in their own squads to help, although I think it may already be doing that.) I suppose Mictlan probably does much better under human control, and maybe if it does more blood summons.

Meanwhile, as I mentioned elsewhere, my Arco hasn't been doing well against AI Marignon's crossbows, HvInf and HvCav.

These may have a lot to do with my own experience level and play style, though.

Iron Faith Black Priests do get a random magic pick, though, and since they're holy units, they're cheaper than say an Arco Astrologer. The forge bonus can be used to cheaply make items which increase magic power, eventually.

PvK

[johan osterman]

Originally posted by Zen:
I have to disagree on Pangea Carrion Woods. Reanimiation includes Manikins, Carrion Beasts (which include the Carrion Elephants which can tear through an army).

They have a fast start with their Mino's and War Minos, and of course still have their stealth in the satyr's and Harpies.

Even the Panic apostates being overpriced (320 Gold! 3 Nature, 2 Death) you could field a decent army along with your Carrion Lord(s) Ladies very quickly. The only real downside I can see is their magic resistance; as you are forced to take at least a +1 Magic scale.

I would have to say I've very impressed. GROWTH 3 all the way BABY.

Perhaps you haven't noticed yet, but Carrion Woods has a destructive dominion similar to Ashen Empire or Soulgate themes for Ermor, not quite as destructive but in the long run your core provinces will be utterly depopulated.

[ November 18, 2003, 19:14: Message edited by: johan osterman ]

I'm sorry Johan. I was being sarcastic. Ah, so much is lost on the internet.

I meant the requirement for the Carrion to have at least Growth 1 for the theme, so you don't get too many points .

Part of the reason that the Carrion Woods theme is strong is because it is like Ermor; you can just pillage and tax to death everyone in your lands and let the Carrion Lords mop up while you make scads of Minos, Harpies and Pans.

[Joonie73]

Poger,

Also what is the case for Pythium being so strong? They don't even have powerful blessable units (unless you go Serpent)!

Pythium are the standard.

Low cost Communion slaves, good research, good massive troop armies. Hydra's can be devistating, Theurgs and Arch Theurgs can become tremendously powerful.

Anything with a base mage in the race with Astral 3 can use gateway; which is incredibly strong for quick reinforcement between labs.