Best summon?

Zapmeister · #1 May 17th, 2004, 06:11 AM

Quote:

The spell "Legion of Wights" gives you 20 wights at 30 death gems.

Ah, that's what I was missing. On the other hand (I just looked it up) LoW is a level 9 spell, while Ether Gate is only level 6. So you're going to be able to summon ether warriors much earlier than you can (cost-effectively) summon wights.

So I guess the answer is that you'll use wights if you have Cjn 9 but use ether warriors if you need the grunt now, but only have Cjn 6-8.

Graeme Dice · #2 May 17th, 2004, 06:20 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Huzurdaddi:
But mr "normal troops have no use" does not do the math. He just flaps his lips, or rather just types without thinking.

I'm not sure what your problem is, but I suggest you lose the insults. I'm simply pointing out that you would be better off using those astral gems for just about any other possible use. If you really want to waste your astral pearls on ether warriors, be my guest. I merely pointed out that a single wraith lord is a more effective use of your gems than a single cast of ether warriors.

The question was originally whether a person would rather have a wraith lord and 15 wights, or an ether lord and 15 ether warriors. The wights are superior as they have the same stats and have 0 encumbrance. Ether gate requires 90 astral pearls, gives you a mage with the same skills you already had to summon it, and gives you 15 troops that are outmatched by a level 3 summon. You would almost certainly be better off by using those gems to forge any of the various astral items.

tinkthank · #3 May 18th, 2004, 01:36 AM

I'm a big behemoth fan myself, but if anyone here wouldn't mind helping me out: I have never got Ether Warriors (just never had that many pearls around), and have never cast Wights (since it seems I am usually saving up for Behemoth, or later: Tartarian Gate) -- are they that good? I just dont know them. Also, Graeme, you say they are identical to E.W. but slightly better (no enc) -- are they etheral too?

For higher level summons, I also like the Siege Golem and of course the Abomination (I play a lot of Tien Chi and if I ever make it to Conj 9, basically any CM can cast em at that point (might need a starshine skullcap). For mid levels, I like Sea King's Court (all of a sudden you get a really decent water force which is also ok on land), for low-mid I like Behemoth a lot, for starters I like even Revive King, just because it's free undead commander with decent leadership and I *think* he has a strategic move of 3, and costs next to nothing.

Oh, Faire Queen is also nice higher-level spell if you are not Van or Man or an otherwise really stealthy nation: you get a very decent glamour commander complete with glamour troop who can summon allies too. With equipment she can hold her own, too.

alexti · #4 May 17th, 2004, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Zapmeister:

quote:
The spell "Legion of Wights" gives you 20 wights at 30 death gems.

Ah, that's what I was missing. On the other hand (I just looked it up) LoW is a level 9 spell, while Ether Gate is only level 6. So you're going to be able to summon ether warriors much earlier than you can (cost-effectively) summon wights.

So I guess the answer is that you'll use wights if you have Cjn 9 but use ether warriors if you need the grunt now, but only have Cjn 6-8.

... And if you have 90 astral to spare, which doesn't normally happen early in the game (at least not to me). Wights have additional advantage, because you need only 30 death gems to cast them, so waiting until 90 gems is not necessary. Ghosts are another good summon, which is very cost efficient if you have skillful death mage (summonned demi-lich with few magic boosters does pretty well too).

sachmo · #5 May 17th, 2004, 04:54 PM

I like Reanimation as Jotun in the early game. Giant Skells!

Blitz · #6 May 17th, 2004, 05:02 PM

Glad my topic generated some discussion.

I love wights, but I've never cast legion of wights. By that time I want Wight Lords (whichever the immortal ones are). Even without the jade armor/wraith sword/boots they are awesome. With those toys they are amazing. Legion of Wights is amazing bang for the buck, but by that time I've usually got enough wights.

When playing a death nation, I usually beeline conj 3 and start a monthly wight summon by around turn 8. This costs a lot of death gems, but I think it's worth it. I don't think I've ever seen a wight die to an indy. I've taken knight provinces with just 5 wights on guard commander and a hasted skeleton summoner.

Master Shake · #7 May 17th, 2004, 05:29 PM

I like Enliven statues for the reasons mentioned below - definitely like them more than Clockwork Horrors or Mechanical Men.

One of my Favorites though is Ivy King. Not much of a unit by himself (especially with zero precision), although OK for casting Mass Protection. However, Ivy Kings are great for summon Vine Ogre. I think they get 4 per cast. What a deal for 1 nature gem.