Mod: MA-Desdares: (updated with new sprites, tweaks)

[dmentd]

I will post an opposing point of view on this mod. I played 4 years in game, and I think the nation is a bit too strong.

First, I will admit I enjoy the nation, concept, and execution. The idea of zealots working for low cost with resources and domain limiting them, supplemented by high cost mercenaries is just cool. I also think people can take advantage of this.

Since you can hire two solid sacreds anywhere, assume someone will use a dual bless strategy with fire and water, like I did. Those 3 gp guys are tough with a high defense, boosted further with the bless, and a good shield to prevent archers from slaughtering them. You can afford to lower some income scales because these guys are cheap, jack up the resource scales, and use them as your exclusive recruitable troop. Archers you will get from indys. Same thing with inexpensive priests for blessing.

Then we get to summons. You have the ability to summon massive amounts of immortal troops quickly. You also have the ability to summon these troops in any of your pop centers because you can recruit inexpensive death mages everywhere. This represents a massive power that is hard to beat.

Granted I was only playing against the AI, but I stomped the impossible AI harder than nearly any other mod. I know this strategy is not following the theme, but I do think this strategy is how MP would take advantage of the mod.