Ulm Beginner Strategy - need help

[Tuna-Fish]

Against air magic, mechanical men work quite well as a front and a shield, but the need to protect your commanders/mages will kill you. I prefer Iron Faith/Black forest to standard ulm any day. IF is probaly the best forger in the game, even if it loses the 120 points for free drain scale. Summon the creatures to use the items with pretender . BF gets the always-as-cool mile-wide mass of Vampires, that while not exactly a winning strategy, will provide you with defence that is nearly impossible to (Really) kill and will likely cause heavy casualties on any attackers who come too close, securing you time to prepare another strategies. Add battle fortune/will of the fates/haste/mass protection/antimagic to help dealing with enemy magic.

[TheKDawg]

Just wanted to update you all on my game:

It's turn 50 something, and I (Ulm) am the dominant force in the game. I started out 3 provinces from C'tis, whom my BP infantry, crossbows, and master smiths were able to crush rather easily. I focused on getting summon earthpower and bladewind as my first tasks, and they work wonderfully. Even better now that my smiths are using the eye of aiming.

I was able to crush my opponents (Rl'yeh) largest army. I took heavy casualties, but I was able to out produce him with my more provinces and more fortresses. I mass produced independant, cheap militia and ichthyids, and his Illithids spent their time killing them off while my blade winds and Black Knights were able to get behind and inflict massive casualties behind the lines. I have two secondary forces holding off Man and Marignon, and I'm beating them too.

Thanks for the strategies. One Last question: What is the best way to get a large Ulmish force underwater? Forging magic pills and beathing amulets?(I was able to find a magic site with air sorceresses, so I can forge them en-masse if I need.

Thank you all for the help. I think I'm on the brink of winning if I don't make too many mistakes. First to master Ulm, then to work on Marignon.

[Taqwus]

For standard Ulm, use Earth magic to get a force which will go underwater. Mechanical Men and Living Statues are amphibious, and Gargoyles might be as well, and they have the additional advantage of being immune to poison (a lot of underwater types use poisoned gear...). You'll need to attach 'em to an amphibious commander, however (e.g. one with a breathing item).

Also, consider using Earth Attack to kill off triton commanders; 100 tritons, without commanders, will rout instantly instead of surrounding and attacking.

[TheKDawg]

I won my game. I was a dominant force all game, I crushed the difficult AI and my player opponent perished from lack of dominion.

Thanks for all the help