Offensive Rituals vs Summoning?

[SlipperyJim]

QXel said:
But I ask myself for some preferences here, as ragging hearts, etc.
Yes, they cause lot of unrest, but you can easily counter that with a good patrolling tactic : fast and/ or flying troops, rings of warning, watcher, and so.
Tactic I have developped with my blood slaves-hungry EA Abyssians ;o)

Yes, but ... there's still a cost to your target. Patrolling kills people while it lowers unrest. That's a permanent hit to the income & resources for that province.

Also, there's the opportunity cost of patrolling. How many people patrol their capital provinces just for the heck of it? That patrolling army cost either gold (if regular troops) or gems & mage-turns (if summoned troops) to create. Either way, that's gold and/or magical resources that your opponent isn't using to smite you.

Screwing with your opponent is always worth doing in Dominions.