Best non-pretender SC's?

[Cainehill]

Certainly not the "Best of the Best", but ... Recruitable on turn 2, Niefel Jarls are pretty awesome, especially with any of several high blesses.

72 HPs; Very high strength, good defense and protection, decent attack and precision; D2W3 for magic, and starts with Breath of Winter.

With N9, one Niefel Jarl Prophet was able to take 8 consecutive provinces with independents 9, starting on turn 4 - no magic items equipped. Berserk means he won't get dispirited and decide he'd rather be elsewhere; the combination of high hitpoints and regeneration means very few wounds (even against a heavy cavalry province, he received no wounds), and breath of winter helps kill any swarming human sized opponents.

W9 would also be an awesome bless, giving 1/2 haste and a defense of 20; E9 would give fatigue restoration and protection 19, and it's relatively painless to get one high blessing, without taking unpleasant scales.

Side question : Anyone know how much better Breath of Winter is than the inherent Chill aura?

[ May 19, 2004, 23:18: Message edited by: Cainehill ]