Random Questions

[incognito]

I have a few questions about some equipment and spells.

1) Are the twin spears worth the time? They seem pretty inexpensive as far as artifacts go. 'Great deals' or better choices?

2) Is magebane a good weapon? I like the base stats, but wonder if the death effect could be bounced back at the wielder using the blood vengeance spell. Anyone tried this? Actually, I have the same question on other 'effect' weapons like the Aegis. How good is magebane anyhow? What is the most powerful creature you've seen in bring down in one hit?

3) For the Aegis, does the petrify work like the spell ie making the MR save still results in paralysis?

4) Are there any creatures that are immune to petrify? Statues seem like a safe bet...

Thanks,
John

[archaeolept]

1. twin spears are worth the price. luck, and armor piercing.
though the death one can cause a single SC to rout.

2. magebane is one of the single best items. death to SC's.

3. yes

4. dunno

[incognito]

Wait a second - does that mean you cannot damage the wielder of Aegis in combat since you essentially get paralyzed no matter what your MR? Seems a trifle too powerful to believe.

Any thoughts on whether blood vengeance is an effect defense against either magebane or aegis effects?

[Taqwus]

I don't think I've ever actually seen somebody get paralyzed from attacking a commander wielding Aegis, and I've quite frequently abused it against the AI. Killed, yes, but paralyzed?

Blood vengeance is not too likely to work against the wielder of magebane; even if it applies to other effects than direct hp loss, it's defeatable via MR, and Magebane gives a healthy bonus and as a nifty unique artifact is unlikely to be handed to somebody who had a mediocre or bad MR in the first place... and I don't think Blood Vengeance works against instant-death attacks e.g. Petrify.

As to Magebane's power, well, it's completely unresistable +100 fatigue. If you're wielding it, you probably also either cast quickness, or have Jade Armor, or Boots of Quickness, meaning a decent chance at delivering +200 fatigue in addition to the regular damage. That's rough. I've seen Mandragoras take out a Naga due to fatigue... Magebane is very powerful in 1-vs-(1 or few), but not as purely destructive against massed chaff as, say Sun Slayer or the Unquenched Sword, and doesn't life drain so for a living commander you'll need another reinvig source.

[Tuidjy]

> 1) Are the twin spears worth the time? They seem pretty inexpensive as far
> as artifacts go. 'Great deals' or better choices?

They are nothing to write home about. About worth what you pay for them.

> 2) Is magebane a good weapon?

The very best. No single other weapon can remotely compare. One handed, too.

> I like the base stats, but wonder if the death effect could be bounced back
> at the wielder using the blood vengeance spell. Anyone tried this?

Blood vengeance is mostly useless. It requires a failed magic resistance
check in order to work. By the time you have researched the spell, you are
unlikely to encounter anyone with a low magic resistance.

As for Mage Bane, it increases your magic resistance. Anyone giving that
uber-artifact to some wimp with low resistance deserves to lose it.

> Actually, I have the same question on other 'effect' weapons like the Aegis.

The Aigis is another very powerful artifact, but I would take the mage bane.
Once again, the same thing applies: anyone worthy of carrying Aegis should
laugh at blood vengeance.

> How good is magebane anyhow? What is the most powerful creature you've seen
> in bring down in one hit?

I have seen, more recently than I care to think about, a Pretender with Mage Bane
wipe out hundreds of my units, including Doom Horror and Arch devils. The battle
is posted in a thread named 'Armageddon was held is Zemike'. If you have
any doubts on Mage Bane, take a look.

> 3) For the Aegis, does the petrify work like the spell ie making the MR save
> still results in paralysis?

Not sure, but I just watched a battle in which about 200 units broke against a
Aegis carrier, and not one got paralised. On the other hand, not one touched
him, either...

So one thing I can say for sure... you do not have to damage the Aegis carrier
to get killed by the effect.

> 4) Are there any creatures that are immune to petrify? Statues seem like a
> safe bet...

I do not think so. I have not seen anyone resist petrify.

[Graeme Dice]

Taqwus said:
and I don't think Blood Vengeance works against instant-death attacks e.g. Petrify.

It does.

[Graeme Dice]

Tuidjy said:
I have seen, more recently than I care to think about, a Pretender with Mage Bane
wipe out hundreds of my units, including Doom Horror and Arch devils.

Those arch devils were enslaved, and not commanders, so they really weren't worth much more than three or four standard devils.