MA Ermor advice please

[IndyPendant]

Well, maybe I could have been clearer, but I meant that W4 gives you +2 defense. W9 gives you +3 defense and half-quickness. So the net difference between W4 and W9, for 280 pretender points, is +1 defense and water bless...

[archaeolept]

I think W9 is pretty well mandatory for these guys. you could just try an f4w4?4 bless, take production, and have them backed by a bunch of principe/hastatii/alae, but I think you will find that your expansion is significantly curtailed.