Astral magic seems overpowered

[thejeff]

Friendly Currents and Water Ward (if that's the large scale one) can be nice. Quickening is also good.

In general you're right. Water really should be more effective underwater. Of course, that would make it even harder for land nations to attack underwater nations.

[chrispedersen]

Some of the changes in balance103

Well of misery is based on water.
Volcanic eruption (earth blood deep well) is based on fire.
Maelstron switches to air
And Mother Oak switches to earth.

thus there is one huge change: Water gives you the death gem global.

The less important is that fire gets you earth, earth gets you nature, and air gets you water.

The other important thing is that it isn't self reinforcing.. if you have nature - your won't won't be able to bootstrap into an insurmountable lead.