Advice for Bandar Log in Dawn of Dominions map

[VedalkenBear]

Well, if we're talking about Bandar Log, specifically (the Middle Era guys), then your Rishis can open some serious smackdown on people by simply stealing all of their armies. At least 1/4 of your Rishis can throw Enslave Mind, and another 1/4 of them can throw Charm. This is my 'normal' strategy with them; rush to Thaumaturgy 6 for Enslave Mind (along the way picking up 'intermediary' spells like Mind Burn, Soul Slay, and Paralyze). Then I would get Gandharvas (Conj 5). But seriously, 4 or 5 Rishis throwing Enslave Mind hurt the enemy rather nicely, due to the way the combat rules work.

Now, more generally, my brother Wyatt twigged me to the Light Bandar Infantry. Let me pull up their (vanilla) Sticks/Stones stats...

Dam: 12
Rng: 15
Prec: 7
Ammo: 30
#Att: 2

Compare this to a shortbow:

Dam: 10
Rng: 25
Prec: 9 (on the same unit)
Ammo: 12
#Att: 1

And here's a comparison to a javelin on an Ermorian unit:

Dam: 13
Rng: 10
Prec: 8
Ammo: 2
#Att: 1

Sticks and Stones are actually quite powerful when thrown by Bandar. So an army of Light Bandar backed up by Rishis can actually be rather nasty.

(Note: If you increase the Bandar's strength, then the range and damage of the Sticks/Stones increases, similar to a javelin.)

Anyway, just some thoughts.

[Shovah32]

I'll support the suggestion of battle mage Rishis. But don't forget - with 4 communion slaves you go from 1/4 casting enslave mind to all of them casting it. More slaves may be needed to help with fatigue, but more can also help with penetration if you add enough.

[Mr_Dark]

Very cool VedalkenBear - that's exactly the kind of analysis I was hoping for. 'Fire nearest...' shall be the order of the day. Thanks!

[Endoperez]

Whether Light Bandar Infantry are better than armored bandar infantry is another matter entirely. 20 gp for a unit that deals more damage on lower range than two shortbowmen? For a nation for whom those shortbowmen would be stealthy?