Gems: how important are they really?

[BigDaddy]

I was just playing a game (as LA Abysia) were I was getting my (soul contract) devils blasted by LA Man's (CBM) communions (in 2-player). I think I won, but the devastation was incredible. We saw that we were actually closer to a stalemate as far as any invasion goes, and decided the cold/hot war (while snatching provinces) would take too long and reset. The map was huge and research was very difficult. He cast soap, but I was already doing blood sacrifice at the invasion site in my new castles.

I could have used some overlands to decimate his armies, as the devils pour out of my soul contracts was taking its toll on my ability to deploy sufficient assassins.

I was forging ~2 soul contracts and forging a jade knife or 2, or maybe casting x-breeding every turn, to maintain my lead everywhere but research. It is risky getting behind in research, but it's also risky to not have a large summoned army or to not have mages deployed with battle magic. Later they need to be sturdier battle mages or thugs and then SCs.

My opponent was producing a communion every few turns.

(Much of what you seek is in there)