Who are the most powerful pretenders?

[quantum_mechani]

I'd rate as the top pretenders:

* Gorgon
* Prince of Death
* Cylops
* Agarthan Oracle
* Wyrm
* Oracle
* Kraken
* Colossal Fetish
* Water blessers (mother of rivers, father of winters, lady of springs)

[Xietor]

Master Lich is good in a big game. It cannot be targeted. He is not big, or flying. He has a zero encumbrance when casting, and has 3 misc slots.

Though he cannot fight like the Lich, or ctis immortal lizard lich, he starts with 3 dominion, rather than 2, and magic paths are 20 instead of 40.

And he is better against an attack than a combat sc, assuming the attack is backed with many mages. As my pretender in perpetuality for ma ctis, he was devastating with banefire/shadow blast. Since he has low hps, i always take air magic for air shield and eventually a shield of valor(seeking arrow).

In Eh II i started him with 5s and 5d, and a couple other paths. With 5 s and immortal, he can magic duel enemy s mages without fear. And with 3 slots, he can wish without the need for empowerment. In fact with robe magi he can reach s 10 without empowerment, and be quite potent with master enslave
without the need for a communion.

instead of using a wish for magical power, the ML really benefits from a wish for power to give him durability.

[elbnar]

I'm partial to:

Cyclops - good ol' faithful
Natty - too bad she's not available to more nations
Great Enchantress - rainbow mage for magic-weak nations, plus bonus pearls
VQ - undead pretenders are too vulnerable without immortality

[moderation]

Hmm, I'm glad everyone has given such interesting responses. But one thing mystifies me: what is a Natty?

[Endoperez]

Nataraja, most likely.


Out of the human-ish rainbows, Great Enchantress is clearly the best. The others' abilities just don't compare with 1 free pearl per turn.

[Edi]

Not just the 1 free pearl, but she has two paths to start with and those two are earth and astral, which are always useful and especially as a combination.

[Endoperez]

Edi said:
Not just the 1 free pearl, but she has two paths to start with and those two are earth and astral, which are always useful and especially as a combination.

CB gives other humans similar starting paths, but also gives the Enchantress etherealness. Even without it she'd be worth it for the pearl.

[chrispedersen]

Endoperez said:
Nataraja, most likely.


Out of the human-ish rainbows, Great Enchantress is clearly the best. The others' abilities just don't compare with 1 free pearl per turn.

????

What about man's arch druid - 2 nat gems a month at 35 cost..

[Lingchih]

Prince of Death or Cyclops. For reference, see the current Team Game. All of the experienced players have either a PoD or a Clops.

I would love to have the Dragons be better SC pretenders. I personally love to take a Dragon, but there always seem to be better choices available.

[Endoperez]

chrispedersen said:
????

What about man's arch druid - 2 nat gems a month at 35 cost..

The druid riding a unicorn? I didn't remember his special. I haven't been playing Man.