Alexander's Ever-Expanding Tome of Knowledge, pt 2

[HoneyBadger]

I believe magic-duels are based on the respective power of the participants in Astral magic? If so, I should warn that I usually play Ancient Krakens with 8 levels of starting Astral, empowering other magic paths as needed. As far as I know, MR does help against Curse and Horror Mark.

[Endoperez]

The spells Curse and Horror Mark don't allow for magic resistance. Horror attacks might be affected by magic resistance, and high magic resistance helps to keep you from dying if a Horror attacks.

Ancient Kraken with 8 levels of Astral is so expensive that it should be undefeatable. It isn't, but it does come pretty close.

Van rush
This strategy works with EA Helheim, MA Vanheim and LA Vanheim. It works for EA Vanheim with few changes.

This strategy is based around sacred, mounted cavalry that has glamour and insane defense. Take an imprisoned pretender with Water 9, Fire 9 (Father of Winters is fine), full Order to have enough money for the expensive Vanir, and some Sloth and Cold scales to afford anything else you might want. Dominion 5-7 works well. Build groups of half-a-dozen or so sacred cavalry and use them to conquer independents. Avoid barbarians, heavy cavalry, Dark Vines and other tough provinces until you can bring a bigger force (10 to 15 Vanir) against them. If you meet another nation early on, you can probably kill it before it can come up with a way to deal with Vanir.