Humanoid Pretenders are too expensive

[SelfishGene]

Originally posted by Norfleet:
Some of the Demigod chassis options are also very overpriced.

I can understand your perspective but im uncertain if some of the Titan chassis are underpowered or just being used improperly. Those with weak magic skills but decent dominion still have good hit points and strength. The Prince of Death has far better inherent protection but less than half the hitpoints and is undead, giving it another vulnerability. I see the 50 point Pretenders to be just average choices, when you want some magic and blessings but don't want to give up many points or choose a cheap, weak body. Although ill be honest none of these uninspired, underpowered Titans make me want to choose them over a Moloch or PoD, who can reach magic-9 much cheaper.

Rainbows aren't completely worthless. Reaping 20-30 gems a turn by turn twenty through natural sites, not globals or clams alone, infuses your economy with enormous potential and a trove whose value is hard to measure. Their high research more quickly reaches a desired spell or path, especially early.

But to fulfill their true potential as forgers and ritual casters, you really need a 3-path instead of a cheaper 2-path. At 2 even with forging you'll be hard pressed to get any path above 5. At 3 you'll have even more gems and an be even closer to the 'global cap'. But a true 3 costs virtually every point you're given, and a bloodless 3 only slightly better. Of course you can and should make compromises, increase and decrease paths and not rigidly stick to a uniform distribution.

But the question is: is a 3-Path Rainbow worth 492 points for what it does? Forfeiting an amazing 12 scale steps, four whole scales, for that privilege? Is that worth missing out on 3-Magic, 3-Order, 3-Growth, 3-Productivity?

You might think im leading up towards a resounding no, but im really not. But the base human chassis are generally insufficient. Some unique humanoids are generally better in every way; the Divine Emperor looks like another sucker, and without any hand slots to boot, but he has 2-Dom, 1 Astral and 4 misc. slots, making him an uber ritual caster. But others, like the Arch-Druid, have no meaningful advantage.

Were i to be asked for suggestions to improve them these would be my responses;


All Humanoid cost -25 (includes unique chassis).

Also each should have perhaps 2 or 3 additional magic paths, even the Crone. Something thematic and appropriate of course.

Consider -

Crone: 1 Astral, 1 Death, 1 Water
Great Sage: 1 Air, 1 Fire, 1 Water
Frost Father: 2 Water, 1 Air, 1 Earth
Enchantress: 2 Astral, 1 Fire, 1 Earth
Freak Lord: 1 Death, 1 Nature, 1 Blood

ect,...

This might be too much when you hit the blessing threshold around 4. Total savings should probably be around about 50-75 points.

[ May 02, 2004, 07:46: Message edited by: SelfishGene ]