National troops and mages vs SC and High Magics

[atul]

Originally posted by Cohen:
National armies and mages become almost useless ... so on where's the fun of the tactical differences beetween Nations? Are battle fought by singles or armies?

I'm no expert by any means, but. Following all these discussions about SCs and how they can only be countered with ones alike them, I'm getting a feeling that there's a classical "When the only tool you've got is a hammer, every problem starts to look like a nail" problem at work. (Have to admit, though, that SCs are a bit like "When only tool you've got is a shotgun, every problem starts to look for an exit" solution)

I mean, if you believe every fight can be won only with SCs, then the game turns into a battle between individuals. Of course you're going to lose if you send masses of regular troops against something that's purposefully devised to slay masses of regular troops. Don't. All things (should) have a weakness or two.

Enemy using say arch devils? Send a couple of mages to freeze 'em dead. Something invulnerable to elements? Paralyze - soul slay - enslave mind. Invulnerable to elements, absurd MR? Acid/magma spells, other armour negaters. Use troops to keep those big guys busy while the mages do their work, if they use life drain put undead boneshield instead.

They start having small squads to help their big guys in battle? Kill the normies, rest will rout. They start to imitate you, putting forth number of mages protected by some screen? Mass Flight is your life-saver. Massed troops? There are more army bLasting spells than I remember out of hand.

You're bound to take losses, just make sure your opponent is hurt more.

Of course, I'm proven myself I'm absolutely lousy in crafting anything heavy-hitting, so have resorted to national mages and troops. Nearly all of the aforementioned has been achieved by one nation's national mages, so they do have uses. You just can't send them off everywhere without planning first a bit.

But then again, I'm sure there's some SC lurking even in my current MP just waiting to prove me wrong. Can't wait.