Pythium Strategies

[Etaoin Shrdlu]

Just a question: Does anyone else use Hydras? In the latest Conceptual Rebalance they have a Fear +0(the big ones only, but that can have its own bonus with 10+ in one pack)... I've tried it (in test matches) with mixed success. Put the Tamer all the way at the back on (Hold)*5, Retreat and the Hydras all the way up front on attack archers. After Construction 4 the Tamer gets a Thunder Bow with new orders: (fire)*5, fire closest. Probably a bad idea vs the other nations (since they'll be ready with poison-resistant troops in case they see it coming) but against Heavy Cav it's amazing: the horses charge, maybe even take down the Hydras... but have to go through the cloud to do it... and when the Legion comes through a few turns later... no heavy cavalry. The trick is to not have the Hydras and the Legion in the same province. The key problem with this maneuver: By the time you can afford it, the other nations are within range and it stops being all that effective.