An intial try at a Pythium strategy guide

[Graeme Dice]

Originally posted by Huzurdaddi:
To offset the Principe's main weaknesses ( normal levels of moral + slow combat speed which make breaking suicide ) liberally sprinkle in "Standards."

Principes have an extremely good morale of 12.

[HotNifeThruButr]

You might want to include stuff like comparisons of the different legionnaires you have. How to effectively use hydras and hydra hatchlings. How to use Gladiators and Serpent Cataphracts.

[Huzurdaddi]

Principes have an extremely good morale of 12.

Perhaps I should have been more clear. While 12 is indeed an elite unit moral I find that with their movement that they get crushed if they break. Hence I sprinkle standards.

To be truthful I have never tried without the standards? I know that with the standards ( and the body eitherial, and the sermons of courage that the AI casts after my script is complete ) they that never break. Perhaps I could save myself a few dollars by not buying them.

You might want to include stuff like comparisons of the different legionnaires you have.

There are other troops? Just kidding. But honestly the Velite, Legionaire, and Hastatus all seem sub-optimal compared to the principe. The all cost about the same amount of resources the only differece is that the principe costs about 50% more gold, however given the low gold costs in general I generally find that resources are more of a constraining factor. If you have had a different experience please post it! I would love to hear about it.

The Triarius is indeed a great unit, however it costs considerably more resources which I usually find is the limiting factor. And they have a strategic move of 1 which can be a large problem. The same can be said for the excellent emerald guard ( however they cost more gold ).

I think that the Serpent Cataphract is being covered in another thread. Suffice it to say that the best argument for it's use is that it is size 3 and can not be trampled the vast number of size 3 tramplers. A dubious value.

I have never used the Hydra or the Hydra Hatchlings. They have always seemed to me to be too expensive for what you get ( however I would love to be proven wrong, if anyone has a great strategy which revolves around hydras please post it ).

The Gladiator ( it seems to me ) is clearly a unit to be used in time when you need an army immediatly for a pitched battle. They are ( it seems ) a unit for use when you are pressed with your back to the wall.

[tinkthank]

These are some nice suggestions.

If I may:
Enslave Mind is Thaum 6 (not 5).
The Principe is truly nice, but I also like the Legionairre: they are quite a bit cheaper and have spears. I get some Triarius every now and then too just for the heck of it: they are good at repelling within their own dominion (enemy has lower morale).
I never get Centurions, Emerald Lords or Battle Deacons (not to mention: Cataphract leaders) -- do you use them?
It would be nice if you edited your original post to include either a brief outline of what apoger's storm thingy is or put a link to it.
Also, it would be nice if you included a bit more info on Communions: what you feel to be a good ratio of masters/slaves, etc.
Thanks much!

[Anglachel]

Here is a link to a bunch of interesting combos including, I believe, the "perfect storm".

http://www.shrapnelgames.com/cgi-bin...;f=74;t=000855

[Huzurdaddi]

Enslave Mind is Thaum 6 (not 5).

I stand corrected. I really should do some fact checking before I post!

Legionairre: they are quite a bit cheaper and have spears

They were at 1st my standard troop. Until one time ( by comeplete random chance ) I created one block of infantry with Principes and they got a little experience and I noticed that they took *very* few losses in most combats. I figured that the difference was the defence. I'm sure Sable Cherry has the stats on how effective a 15 defence is vs. a 13 defence. Not to mention how 16 vs. 14 ( when they get a little experience ). And I guess the difference allows more of them to actually get the experience vs. the Legionnaires.

I never get Centurions, Emerald Lords or Battle Deacons (not to mention: Cataphract leaders) -- do you use them?

It's probably silly of me. I like to put my infantry into a large block and sprinkle the bothy etherial casters thoughout the block, I'm sure that having 5 or so blocks would work almost as well. They would break more I guess but I really don't know if that would be a problem.

Also, it would be nice if you included a bit more info on Communions: what you feel to be a good ratio of masters/slaves, etc.

Well I'll be honest. Ever since I found this "recipie" (etherial troops -> ether warriors -> abombs ) I have not used communion much. I used to use it as my staple though. The major problem that I found was that in serious conflicts the theurgs would always kill the communicants unless you had a shaman along. I think I went as high as 3 to 1 ratios and they would still die. What I probably should have done was have ever theurg cast slave and cast master ( I think that this works ) but just as I was thinking of that I hit on this. I was impressed however with the power of the communion having 5 or 6 quickened casters casting enslave mind turns combats quite quickly (and I always wanted to try getting them all high enough to cast nifel flames just to see ).

[tinkthank]

Ah ok. My ratio is much higher. I usually am like 8 to 1 or so.
My build usually includes a *Wizard Tower*. I often just crank out tons and tons of Communicants.

I was going to post a Pythium guide actually but my strategy took a serious blow in 2.11: nerfing of non-skilled blood hunters. I had TONS of Communicants ferry troops to the front line, and when they had nothing to do, the would blood hunt. I had quite a nice blood economy going.
It doesnt work anymore. At all. Which is ok, it was almost too good to be true.