EA Caelum – Ride the lightning

[Baalz]

I think it's a mischaracterization to describe this as focusing on one trick. Eagle kings are so versatile, performing superbly at air raid thugging, buffing, blasting, and rituals...in a very real way your nation is tied up in them regardless of what design choices you make. Investing in an earth bless makes a whole lot of sense as it supercharges eagle king thugs *and* casters, and lets be honest what are you going to spend your points on that gives a better payback? More Caelum infantry? A single SC god not terribly better than a decked out eagle king? Sure you can play EA Caelum without a blessing but you're going to be focused on the eagle kings no matter where you put your design points and my philosophy is to focus on your strengths and circumvent your weaknesses. Additionally, this build does not focus exclusively on the eagle kings, the rainbow pretender greatly contributes to your magic diversity, without your pretender you've got nothing above level one mages in anything other than air (eventually squeeking into level 2 water). I'm curious, what do you suggest that gives a competitive payout?

[WraithLord]

A setup that worked well in a previous MP game (IIRC was called WOOF, hosted by Pasha) was a dormant Deva. Dom 7, O3 S3 C3 G3 M1, F4 N4 D4 B4 semi SC/rainbow.

I expanded early with Mammoths then while researching alt-2 (phantasmal warrior) and spamming cheap castles. The castles were used to recruit many spire horn seraphs.

At that point I encountered a Kailasa with an A9 (and maybe more minors) bless meant to counter Caelum. At this point raiding groups of 6-10 spire horn seraphs all spamming PW were sufficient to counter the blessed armies of Kailasa. I'd spread them to raid PD and concentrate them to kill armies. Kinda like a deadly dance, every time I missed a step a raiding army got annihilated

Mid game was your usual super mobility Caelum, flying and cloud trapezing armies spamming thunder strikes, and setting up the mood with storm, fog warriors etc. The game didn't last enough for end game to start in earnest so I don't know how Caelum would have fared there.

Oh and It was much as you described. I would wait for a time and charge up on A. gems and then explode on a nation virtually capturing most of its provinces in a few turns.

Looking back at this setup I think its much less efficient than your suggestions.
I'd change it add astral on pretender (for spentas) and E4 for minor reinnvig. On blessed.
AoE's MA Caelum guide is closer (where applicable) to the way I'd play EA.

I'll say it again, your suggestions are good. Eagle kings are worth the bless. Its just me that don't like to rely on capital only commanders to make up my game plan.