Something different...

[Mind Elemental]

UPDATE: After getting smashed by a house full of AIs again, I think I WILL go for max Order and Magic next time around. My field armies can beat the living daylights out of their large armies (since as we all know, they opt for hordes of low-quality troops), but that doesn't help me when each AI player is marching several armies at me from every direction at once. >_< Not to mention that in that game, my principes managed to kill my Virtue with javelin friendly fire!

Hopefully, in my next game, if I rush through Evocation and then Construction, then abuse Staff of Storms/Wrathful Skies, I should be able to deal with the AI hordes by simply sending in an Arch Theurg, a few communicants, and some Spring Hawks to deal with most AI armies.

[Vicious Love]

Mind Elemental said:
UPDATE:
Hopefully, in my next game, if I rush through Evocation and then Construction, then abuse Staff of Storms/Wrathful Skies, I should be able to deal with the AI hordes by simply sending in an Arch Theurg, a few communicants, and some Spring Hawks to deal with most AI armies.

I think a castle or two might buy you all the time you need to let your main army react.

[Mind Elemental]

Problem is, the main army can only be at one place at one time -- castles help, but they're not enough. Or at least, they WEREN'T enough. Hmm...

[Vicious Love]

Allrighty, castles + splitting your army(Despite resulting attrition) + preemptive strikes to force your enemy to split his own armies. Sound good?