How do you use the Prince of Death for very early game expansion?

[Cainehill]

Originally posted by Demosthenes:
Surely he can be used very effectively without rainbow-ing his paths? I too have wondered how to use him effectively within his theme.

Sure. For one thing, you could forge him some armor and items, to make him more survivable. Toss on some black plate armor, maybe a shield and a helm (easily doable early game if you have the gems / mages).

Or - only use him against provinces with militia, light infantry, archers, etc, and set him to hold, hold, attack rear. Doing this in conjunction with a squad or two of regular troops helps ensure minimal casualties in your troops, while minimizing the likelihood of the PoD dying / getting maimed.

Or, research Enchantment 3 and use him to spam skeletons.

Otherwise - just like most pretenders, you have to add at least a path or two to really mazimize his combat use (and even forging / summoning abilities). Add a little Earth magic - his base armor improves, and he can cast Ironskin / Invulnerability. Add a little Water - Quickness and Breath of Winter, making him a much better killing machine. Air? Mirror Images and Mistform, not to mention the ability to later Cloud Trapeze to where he's needed. Fire - Fire Shield, and summoning skeleton archers later.

And I'm not sure it's "rainbowing" him to add a path or two. It certainly isn't as expensive to add paths to the PoD as it is some others such as Virtues and Dragons.