End game diversity mod

[Numahr]

On krakens:

I tend to differ with the general opinion. Kraken is, I think, a very cost-efficient super-thug. It does not have slots... but then it does not need some to provide good army support. Amulet of fish, RoR and a reinvig item is enough, then cast stone/iron skin, quicken self, maybe breath of winter/ fire resistance (you have it through E-W combo) if needed, et voila. Multiple AP attacks provided by tentacles is really like a good magical weapon already and combines very well with quicken self, stone or iron skin and good HP removes the need for magic armor, one reinvig. item is enough to deal with fatigue as encumbrance is low.

If you plan to fight SC rather than armies, you can replace reinv. item by a cheap attack of strength bonus which works well with the 8 tentacle attacks by round.

Healing afflictions is a plus to ensure a good return on investment, as when you are opposed with Black Bow or just regular battle wounds.

Of course not the most powerful SC you can find... but for the price in gems, a very efficient one, IMHO.

[sansanjuan]

Originally Posted by Numahr

On krakens:

I tend to differ with the general opinion. Kraken is, I think, a very cost-efficient super-thug. It does not have slots... but then it does not need some to provide good army support. Amulet of fish, RoR and a reinvig item is enough, then cast stone/iron skin, quicken self, maybe breath of winter/ fire resistance (you have it through E-W combo) if needed, et voila. Multiple AP attacks provided by tentacles is really like a good magical weapon already and combines very well with quicken self, stone or iron skin and good HP removes the need for magic armor, one reinvig. item is enough to deal with fatigue as encumbrance is low.

If you plan to fight SC rather than armies, you can replace reinv. item by a cheap attack of strength bonus which works well with the 8 tentacle attacks by round.

Healing afflictions is a plus to ensure a good return on investment, as when you are opposed with Black Bow or just regular battle wounds.

Of course not the most powerful SC you can find... but for the price in gems, a very efficient one, IMHO.

... and you get to say "RELEASE THE KRAKEN!" in a dramatic, moving voice.
ssj

PS Got me thinking if there are any SCs where you could make a case to empower them with some path. Granted there are other things to spend gems on but there could be special circumstances that might trump the opportunity loss.

[yandav]

I've just finished a MP game in which I was at war against Machaka who was relying on a lot of ember lords. I've sent a lot of anti-SC to counter them and 3/4 of them got blind while fighting the ember lords (the ember lords where alone and they didn't hold an eye shield).
Is it just bad luck or does the ember lords have some kind of special capacity?