Good late game SCs?

[Rathar]

To derail..

How does one make an effective Dragon SC pretender?!

I have been messing around a fair bit and all I can seem to produce is something which has a 50% chance of taking a weak (militia, hvy infantry, archer) province and almost always picks up 1-3 afflictions the next time they try it and then are done until I have chalice or etc etc.

I know I am just sucking somehow as I see you folks speak of them as being great for province clearing and early expansion but I just cant seem to do it!

Here is what I usually try..

I take a dormant dragon, usually fire, and give them more fire, at least 3 water (quickness) and I have been trying earth, nature, and astral of 3 min also. The 3 value is to enable the dragon to still be able to cast spell in that magical area when in dragon form. I am decking them out in whatever helmet I may be able to afford, usually horror or the nature/gore attack one, a luck misc and a regen misc or reinvigor or things like that. I usually play with an indy level of 9-8 but I have this trouble on 6 too so..

Any clues?