Nations under CBM 1.6

[Mardagg]

excellent post Tolkien

[Tolkien]

I should've probably also mentioned that crystal matrixes (easily forged by astral randomed priests) lets you boost and cast fire arrows, wind guide, and arrow fend, to add to your crossbow fire.

[chrispedersen]

You've gotten quite good at LA-Ulm Tolkien = ).

[WraithLord]

call lesser horror + retreat will sometimes work while at other times the horror would kill your mage. I didn't test this so I don't know the actual probability of that happening but it happened to me once so I know it can happen.

[rdonj]

Yeah, if you plan on using horrors as a serious weapon in a battle, it's a good idea to spend some effort horror marking the enemy a little first.

[Sombre]

Even on an immortal or worthless unit, meds of vengeance aren't worth it. The actual explosion isn't particularly powerful. I think you'd get more value out of a fire drake or a different random fire item.

[Quitti]

Concerning the enc issue of Ulm, how about making a national e3 or e4 spell that costs one or zero gems that copies the effects of relief, either as battlefield-wide or large aoe? It's 1+DRN-DRN reinvig iirc that can't go below 0. It would somewhat alleviate the high enc problem of the troops, and it would boost the mages slightly. Call it 'Revitalizing earth' or something, add it to around the same place as tempering the will (thau4) or one-two levels higher. Still this would not touch the national mages paths, which on MA are quite horrendous. Also, Iron angels being cheaper/easier to get would also fix quite a many problems.

[Sombre]

I don't think it's likely to be added in CBM. qm doesn't like to add new content to dom3 and that would be a fairly substantial step in terms of theme, which is a concern. It is a nice idea though.

[thejeff]

Except that much of Baalz's guide is focused on Fever Fetishes that don't exist any more.

And I believe the Hunters have been dropped in price, which counters much of his argument against them.

Not to say his expansion tactics won't still work, though the mid/late game changes drastically without fetishes, but the other changes may make Black Hunters viable.

[Sombre]

I can't see why people wouldn't want to take a couple of minor blesses on the hunters. With that they are definitely more durable than spider riders, though they become obsolete more quickly.