A Question of Timing 2: Communion Master/Slave

[tinkthank]

Originally posted by Boron:
hm does communion also increase the holy levels ?

Yes, communion increases holy levels as well.

[Kel]

Originally posted by Boron:
@kel of course you get a bit higher chance but it is only 1 point higher penetration per 2 points of astral magic

Yes but the point is that it is better penetration on EVERY master, every cast. I am not talking 64 communicants, I am talking 8 communicants, 6 archs (just for example) and maybe a couple of spell focuses or a BotNS to help. Yes, against uber MR SCs, you won't get far but that was the point of why it's not the same for every pretender (and why I listed some other options *cough*). 18 MR SCs are quite reasonable to take down with astral. Try 6 quickened archs casting Enslave with 2-4 penetration (that's 12 MR checks per round with a 2-4 mod). I have picked up many SC's and national heroes that way (though mostly as Arco).

- Kel

[Taqwus]

You may want to reconsider using Phoenix Pyre cast by a communion master unless your entire army is fire-immune. The spell affects any communion slaves, as well, and an unlucky death due to a lucky arrow or spell could result in a very dramatic chain-reaction of massive explosions wiping out large chunks of your army.



Under some circumstances it may be possible to abuse this effect, but if you're not prepared it could backfire on you very, very badly.

Cast Resist Fire first, then cast Phoenix Pyre, all slaves get the master's buffs, therefore they are all fire immune. Not that Phoenix Pyre is that useful alone, with Relief it is devistating though.

[Norfleet]

Ah, the Great Exploding Communicants. What fun that one is.

[Stormbinder]

Originally posted by Kel:

Petrify is a popular SC killer but might be tough with Pyt. Takes a random in earth and what, 16 slaves if you don't have a path enhancer ? Well, 8 and a couple gems maybe but still...

Nope, it only takes 8 slaves even if you don't have path enchancer item. And yes, it is good SC killer, especially with penetration items. And even if you don't penetrate you can hold SC in bay indefinetly with paralization sideeffect.

Try 6 quickened archs casting Enslave with 2-4 penetration (that's 12 MR checks per round with a 2-4 mod). I have picked up many SC's and national heroes that way (though mostly as Arco).

Yeap, it's nice, but enslave mind render all these SC and national heroes mostly useless by stripibng them of commnader status and all their items/abilities. You can GOR them bacl of course, but it takes gems and the items are still lost. If I have a chouce I would prefer Charm spell, since it gives you commanders impact, and use my communion mastered astral mages for other spells.

[ July 12, 2004, 22:03: Message edited by: Stormbinder ]

[Norfleet]

Originally posted by Zen:
Cast Resist Fire first, then cast Phoenix Pyre, all slaves get the master's buffs, therefore they are all fire immune. Not that Phoenix Pyre is that useful alone, with Relief it is devistating though.

Does Phoenix Pyre still do concussive bLast damage rather than fire damage, though? If Phoenix Pyre is still bLast damage with the flash effects mostly incidental, then you'd be better off with invulnerability.