use of bane lords

Ironhawk · #1 June 19th, 2007, 01:38 PM

On a 0-enc unit like a bane/wraith lord, its better to use Jade Armor and save your boot slot for Boots of Flying since they take no penalty from encumbrance.

parcelt · #2 June 19th, 2007, 02:27 PM

Allright, last night I summoned three new bane lords and gave them variously mixed equipment following the suggestions made above:
- all had Cloak of Shadows and a sword with area damage (Frostbrand, Firebrand or Shadowbrand) and a ring of regeneration
- one I gave the leadshield, amulet of anti-magic, and skullcap in order to have the ultimate anti-magic protection. The other two got various offensive equipment.

I sent them to my frontlines with C'tis (large battles every turn), where I had a scout keep track of the mage/magic creature army that had killed my previous bane lords. I attacked them in a province with high PD and the same scenario seemed to unfold: my bane lords quickly (very quickly with their new swords; area damage is awesome indeed!) took care of PD and some other units, but there was a whole bunch of commanders including (i think) 4 or 5 priests, which started with the banishment / smite spells, doing some damage, before the paralyze spells came (that killed me the last time). Indeed, one of my bane lords became a paralyzed sitting duck, and another was losing a lot of HP to the magic spells while taking a (relatively) long time to kill a magic being (I suspect it was resistant to fire, because this bane lord had the fire sword). For some reason the paralyze spell didn't seem to stick to this bane lord (it was cast a few times, but perhaps all on the same target? Can it be resisted at all?). However, the third bane lord (with the high MR) hardly had a scratch and once he reached the back end of the field really massacred those commanders with his Frostbrand sword. All three of my bane lords survived, although one in particular (the paralyzed one) was very close. All in all a great and honorable revenge!!

So thanks for all the tips. I am now two turns away from having a first Wraith lord. Since he comes already being ethereal, how does that change the optimum outfit? Do they work well in a combined team with Bane Lords?

I like the idea of the blood axe, I think I have some guys who can forge that so i'll give it a try. Does it come with area damage?