Most Efficient Researcher

[Jagdpanther]

Considering monthly maintenance costs Vs. reasearch points, who are the best research commanders?

[PvK]

I've heard it's the Sage, but I haven't confirmed. That seems likely, not counting things you can summon for no gold maintenance, nor heroes, nor the use of magic which improves research.

PvK

[quantum_mechani]

Daughters of Avalon, Sages and Masters of the Dead are my favorits. Daughters are better with a magic scale, otherwise Sages beat almost anything.

[st.patrik]

The Lore Master is also pretty impressive.

[Zurai]

In general, the cheapest per point of research (other than independants/heroes/etc that you can't depend on getting every game...) are your weak, 1 path mages. This is because every mage character (other than sages) have a base of 3 research, +1 per point in each path. So, if you can hire a 1 path, 4 research mage for 70 gold, or a 4 path, 7 research mage for 300 gold (made up amounts, but fairly accurate in general)... 2 1-path mages are half as expensive as a single 4-path, but have 1 point higher research. This effect is maginified considerably with a positive magic scale.

With a large drain scale (-3), it turns the other way around. Your 1-path mage would have 1 research, while your 4-path would have 4. You'd have to hire 4 1-paths to equal a single 4-path, and they'd cost you 20 more gold.


So, in general, your cheapest national mages are your best bulk researchers. Obviously if you can *afford* to buy the bigger ones, do so, but building cheapo national mages at 2-3 castles a turn is a good way to start the research juggernaut going a reasonable price.

[Jagdpanther]

Thanks.

Now here is the question that will show just how new I am to this game ...

What nation has the Sage, Daughters of Avalon and Lore Master?

In general is there a list/spread sheet somewhere that lists units and their abilities and nation?

Lore Master, Sage are found from sites and Lore Masters are also from Events.. Look for Library's for Sages. And Citadel's of the Lore Master's for Sages/Loremasters.

Daughter of Avalon is Man (Base).

[PvK]

Originally posted by Zurai:
... every mage character (other than sages) have a base of 3 research, +1 per point in each path. ...

Typically, yes, but not true of all of them. There are many that have zero bonus research (plus one per point in each path), or some research bonus number less than 3. For example, Pyromancers have 1 research, not 4. Others with zero research bonus include Spectral Mages, Amazons, and Witch Doctors.

PvK

[Graeme Dice]

Originally posted by PvK:
For example, Pyromancers have 1 research, not 4. Others with zero research bonus include Spectral Mages, Amazons, and Witch Doctors.

Pyromancers have 1 fire, and therefore 3 research in a magic 0 dominion. Other than Witch Doctors, the other mages you identified all have the standard amount of research. Are you sure you weren't playing with drain?

[PvK]

Laugh! Yes, you're right - I am playing with Drain - I'd just forgotten about it. My mistake.

PvK