Best (for the price) recruitable commander?

[quantum_mechani]

There are many nice commanders available, but I have to say Marignon's inquisitors are some of the best bang-for-the-buck in the game. For 110 gold you get:

*A fine researcher

*A slightly better than average leadership commander

*An ideal mage for casting combustion

*Can bless, banish and cast sermon of courage

*Can construct any building

*Sacred so you can afford to crank out many of them for all of the above duties

*Can slice, dice and mince- order one today! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif

[Catquiet]

Arco priestess same 110 gold price, heals afflictions on your pretender http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

[Kjeld]

I'm fond of Seithkonas : cheap, nice researchers, can cast impressive spells like nether bolts.

The Firbolg : great leadership, standard bearing, decent fighter for a measly 10 gems.

[Chris Byler]

Originally posted by quantum_mechani:
There are many nice commanders available, but I have to say Marignon's inquisitors are some of the best bang-for-the-buck in the game. For 110 gold you get:

*A fine researcher

*A slightly better than average leadership commander

*An ideal mage for casting combustion

*Can bless, banish and cast sermon of courage

*Can construct any building

*Sacred so you can afford to crank out many of them for all of the above duties

*Can slice, dice and mince- order one today! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif <font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">You forgot to mention a good preacher, especially in enemy dominion (Everyone expects the Marignon Inquisition, but it's very effective even if it is expected.)

Don't order one - order several.

I've tried to come up with other commanders that are better than the Inquisitor, but they all cost more. Many cost a lot more (Demonbred for example has most of the same benefits and is magically stronger and flying... for over twice the cost).

[Teraswaerto]

Jotun Herses are nice. 60 gold for a sacred giant tough enough to really benefit from magic items & HoF bonuses.

[PhilD]

Originally posted by Chris Byler:

I've tried to come up with other commanders that are better than the Inquisitor, but they all cost more. Many cost a lot more (Demonbred for example has most of the same benefits and is magically stronger and flying... for over twice the cost). <font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">I have yet to try playing Marignon, but I've played Abysia, and the Demonbred marked me as the leader of choice for Abysia, even with a high price tag. Their wings make them excellent leaders of Devils, and the magic isn't wasted either...

Now if I could make them remember that their religion forbids the use of Evocation Fire spells to anybody who hasn't spent 100 turns in the Hall of Fame with Increased Precision...

[quantum_mechani]

Originally posted by Chris Byler:
You forgot to mention a good preacher, especially in enemy dominion <font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">I knew I forgot something http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

[Coffeedragon]

DP.

[ February 01, 2004, 18:39: Message edited by: Coffeedragon ]

[Coffeedragon]

I like the Bards a lot.

At first I thought they look quite useless. But then I learned they can:

-Cast Spell Songs
-Summon Horned Serpents
-(With a Green Gem) cast Panic
-Improve Morale by just being there
-Search for Nature Sites
-Gain Experience fast
-Switch to Research at peacetime

And, at 75 Gold, unlike the high end leaders, they are expendable. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif

[moodgiesanta]

Mictlan Priests, the lowest level ones. They can harvest blood, and they cost only 40 gold and a few resources. Good stuff.

[PhilD]

Originally posted by Coffeedragon:
I like the Bards a lot.

At first I thought they look quite useless. But then I learned they can:

-Cast Spell Songs
-Summon Horned Serpents
-(With a Green Gem) cast Panic
-Improve Morale by just being there
-Search for Nature Sites
-Gain Experience fast
-Switch to Research at peacetime

And, at 75 Gold, unlike the high end leaders, they are expendable. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif <font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">They are my primary researchers when I play the Tuatha theme (most of my Man games to date), but I'm now playing a basic Man game, and the Daughter of Avalon beats the Bard (she's home province only, though). She has one more Nature, and is Sacred, which is good in a mass-produced commander.

For battlefield presence... the Bard is good, but I'll miss the Nature 2. I admit I'm not using the Stealth too much, as I like Longbowmen too much; Man is clearly missing a stealthy Version of the Longbowman http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

[Pocus]

Originally posted by moodgiesanta:
Mictlan Priests, the lowest level ones. They can harvest blood, and they cost only 40 gold and a few resources. Good stuff. <font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">cost 80 gold, but still a very good price.

[Pocus]

One of my preferred leader is the Marignon initiate (65 gold) in a magic scale Marignon.

I like also to use them in battle, for 2 spells:

bond of fire, to pin down big creatures
will o wisp (one gem) which are very interesting units because of etheralness and high defence. Sure if they are hit, they die, but until then they can waste quite a number of attacks from enemy infantries.

But perhaps the Pythium Theurg is even more impressive : holy, cheap etheralizer, can cast starfires and communion.

[Leif_-]

Originally posted by Coffeedragon:
[QB] I like the Bards a lot.

At first I thought they look quite useless. But then I learned they can:

-Cast Spell Songs
-Summon Horned Serpents
-(With a Green Gem) cast Panic<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">[SNIP] Don't forget:
- Cast Protection
- Cast Swarm
- Instigate unrest (well, I've never been able to actually use that ability in any useful way, but I'm sure that's my fault and not the bards'.)

[Goad]

Instigate unrest (well, I've never been able to actually use that ability in any useful way, but I'm sure that's my fault and not the bards'.) <font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">with ten or a dozen spies/bards in enemy capital, you can deprive him of his capitol-only unique units, and/or his biggest income province. The AI never seems to catch on to this trick. Put stone idols or that disease thing on them, too. Wipe out the population of his capitol with disease/unrest/patrolling & he gets no more or very limited special units for the rest of the game.

[SurvivalistMerc]

Goad,

That is one of my favorite Ulm tricks. I like to do that with stealth 20 spies.

[tinkthank]

All good stuff here.

I would also like to suggest the Star Child, slightly less expensive but pretty versatile. Not sacred, however. Think Marignon might have him beat there.

One of my Favorites is a high-end model. Coming in at 10 gold cheaper than a Demonbred, which is of course itself a fine investment, the S&A C-Master is a flying sacred jack-of-all-trades, and gets *7* magic paths (FAWWS??). Note that the DB only gets 4 (while being, of course, a MUCH better leader and quite a bit tougher too). Considering that a Arch-Theurg also gets 7 paths but costs 380 and has to teleport his flabby tuchus around, the C-Master is a bargain.

[Peter Ebbesen]

Originally posted by tinkthank:
One of my Favorites is a high-end model. Coming in at 10 gold cheaper than a Demonbred, which is of course itself a fine investment, the S&A C-Master is a flying sacred jack-of-all-trades, and gets *7* magic paths (FAWWS??). Note that the DB only gets 4 (while being, of course, a MUCH better leader and quite a bit tougher too). Considering that a Arch-Theurg also gets 7 paths but costs 380 and has to teleport his flabby tuchus around, the C-Master is a bargain. <font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Of course, he has to be, given the quality of the basic S&A units. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

But yes, S&A lives and dies with its Celestial Masters - possibly the most magically diverse theme in existence. Seven fairly useless troops and four different powerful sacred priest-mages.

[fahdiz]

I don't know about "best", but my favorite recruitable commanders (this week http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif ) are:

Tuatha, Vanadrotts, and Priest Kings (especially when the PK is your Prophet as well).

On the first two, Glamour comes in awfully handy, and their air magic complements this very well. The Tuatha can cast all sorts of valuable wide-area-of-effect Nature spells, summon up Firbolgs in the off-season, and has a javelin for stray infantry. As for the Vanadrotts, they are powerful (though expensive) sacred priest/mages, they get Blood (which is fun as Van) and they can also serve as summoning stations for all kinds of air-based goodies.

I never have my Tuatha nor Vanadrotts die due to projectiles in SP. Not to mention the fact that their Stealth values are incredibly handy.

Priest Kings can lead a townload of troops right from the get-go, and when prophetized can cast Fanaticism and Divine Blessing until the cows come home. Plus, mid-late game, they can be Improved Cross Breeders while they're waiting for something else to do. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

[ March 18, 2004, 18:30: Message edited by: fahdiz ]

[Patrik]

I don't know if independent commanders are 'allowed' here, but if they are, sages are easily first on my list. Depends on nation and magic scale of course, but IMO the spread is from 'very good buy' to 'vital'.
If I conquer a province with a library, building a lab (and eventually a fortress) is almost always my number one priority.

/Patrik

[tinkthank]

Originally posted by Peter Ebbesen:
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Originally posted by tinkthank:
One of my Favorites is a high-end model. Coming in at 10 gold cheaper than a Demonbred, which is of course itself a fine investment, the S&A C-Master is a flying sacred jack-of-all-trades, and gets *7* magic paths (FAWWS??). Note that the DB only gets 4 (while being, of course, a MUCH better leader and quite a bit tougher too). Considering that a Arch-Theurg also gets 7 paths but costs 380 and has to teleport his flabby tuchus around, the C-Master is a bargain. <font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Of course, he has to be, given the quality of the basic S&A units. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Heheh too true! Too true! Makes me want to cry sometimes, I love S&A so much otherwise. Now I usually go Wiz Tower and build forts anywhere decent troops are.

[Sandman]

I find Vaetti hags to be of exceptional value when playing Jotunheim. They cost 55 gold, get a random pick in sorcery, and are stealthy. They're efficient researchers, and you can do all sorts of useful stuff with their magic pick. Astral ones can cast arcane probing and act as communions slaves. Death ones can cast dark knowledge and reanimate dead. Nature ones can forge some handy items, and blood ones can go hunting.

[atul]

Originally posted by Peter Ebbesen:
Of course, he has to be, given the quality of the basic S&A units. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif <font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Sometimes I wish people would stop disrespecting those guys. Really, they perform their intended function very well indeed - they die. Where you guys think the pre-researched spell summon dispossessed spirits come from? Yeah, sure, "revered Ancestors"...

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif

After two months playing one MP with S&A I've started to regard the spirits as one national unit among others. Isn't de facto true, I know, but they can be used so extensively by S&A.
Originally posted by Peter Ebbesen:
But yes, S&A lives and dies with its Celestial Masters - possibly the most magically diverse theme in existence. Seven fairly useless troops and four different powerful sacred priest-mages. <font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">You can say that again. Especially if you survive long enough to research construction 6. Who needs a rainbow pretender when you can buy a CM for 250 gold and use items to boost any path to the level required? Levels 4 or 5 are easily reachable in any path bar blood, and there aren't many spells you couldn't cast with mages that powerfull.