Return of the Raptor anyone

[Chazar]

Nope. Caelum is a decent theme that I like, but I cant figure how to play the Raptor-Theme either...

[Psitticine]

The first game I ever played was with a Return of the Raptors theme. Didn't do so well . . . maybe it is time to try again though! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

[Gandalf Parker]

I hadnt tried it but of course now I have to. While others concentrate on the "strongest" I like to concentrate on the "weakest" to see if I can find some hidden balance and usefulness.

[Jasper]

The best I can figure out is to use a Storm power and have their relatively cheap air mages cast lightning spells. Perhaps False Horrors later.

Something like Iron Skin, Mistform, Mirror Image, Soul Vortex might be interesting on the Harab Elders, but they're so damn fragile: 8 hp and _6_ base defense!

Incidentally, how does their cold dominion effect them? Do they as a result get extra fatigue in battle?

IMHO the Harab theme could really use a boost. A Random magic path on the elders, Holy 3 on the Elders plus Holy 2 "Seraphine Friars", some sacred troops, better stats on the Harab Elders (aren't they raptors?), and perhaps 2 flavors of lesser Harab Mages with different skills.

[ April 27, 2004, 16:17: Message edited by: Jasper ]

[Norfleet]

Originally posted by Jasper:
Incidentally, how does their cold dominion effect them? Do they as a result get extra fatigue in battle?<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Yes, they do. So the Cold-3 isn't even unconditionally beneficial anymore: All the Raptor units suffer the usual Severe Cold fatigue penalties, because they have no cold resistance.

[Pocus]

the theme was perhaps the first assembled for dom2, and as we know they (IW) like to stay on the (very in this case) safe side, is the weakest of all themes.

[Pocus]

Has anyone managed to get something from this theme? Aside a different flavor from the main theme, that is. I have yet to see them in a competitive environement (MP)

[Wauthan]

Nope. I got no real use for them. Made the Raptor sacred so the theme could use blesseffects but I still see no real strength for this faction. I wish the mages would be stronger death mages or that they would have access to something more special like a flying assassin unit.

[Nagot Gick Fel]

Nope. I've tried to use the cheap Raptor mages as melee thugs (sorta like Alex's flying chopping Smiths or my own 'death from above' Vanjarls) but with no real success so far. Maybe if they had a second level in either air, earth or death magic that would be doable. As they're now I can't see any real use on the battlefield for them, at least early in the game.