A few random questions re: MA TC

[Stryke11]

Man, for being as popular as they are, these communions are a lot of work. The first two I made of five geomancers, one with all crystal matrices (because I discovered the crystal shield doesn't work unless the person holding it has a master matrix, casting communion master doesn't work) and one with the suggested script of master, power of spheres, earthpower, while slaves gift from heaven.

So the item one was lost on the first turn as one of the slaves was assassinated, basically ruining that and needing me to forge more matrices, and the spell one was intercepted by a tiny army as they were moving toward a big one and the communion worked mostly but maybe took out 2 giants while the archers I had screening them took out the most (I'm fighting against Jotunheim in the area where I have these guys).

Another thing I noticed is that while the master and slave all benefited from power of the spheres and earthpower, the master didn't receive any path benefit from the four slaves in the communion (all of them, master and slave, were 2S3E). I thought he was supposed to get an additional +2 in everything. Also, the slaves, since they were casting the heavy stuff, were fatigued out after two castings of GfH (all I had scripted after slave and two hold periods while the master cast the two buff spells). Meanwhile the master had plenty of energy left but as the script ended he just cast worthless stuff.

It seems unless you use the crystal shield and all the matrices, half of your script is just setting the communion up. By that time the enemy has already closed with your lines and your buffs aren't even up. You're left with basically two spells to script. And all your plans can be for naught if one lucky arrow or assassin takes out one of your guys.

[Jarkko]

Originally Posted by Stryke11

communion worked mostly but maybe took out 2 giants

If you got 2 GfH off per slave (as they should, before they pass out), then that is 2x4x3=24 meteors, each doing 150 points of damage. If just two of those hit a target, then you were very unlucky (even considering the horrible precission of GfH).

I discovered the crystal shield doesn't work unless the person holding it has a master matrix, casting communion master doesn't work

Yes, like I mentioned, Crystal shield works only in an instant communion. But it is very good in those (fatigue free PoS).


Why your master only had 3E2S I don't understand.


Never let your mages be without bodyguards. Never ever. If you can't spare even five militias to guard a mage, then you are doing something wrong Not only will they protect the mages from assassins, but also allow the mages to leg out from combat if stercum hits the fan.


When you set up a communion, you do not set up at front. Let me try some amazing drawing skills:

This would be how I would set up as TC (with a geomancer commune) against an AI nation using giants. The enemy combat AI targets first the single slingers. Then your "tanks" (troops with shields and preferably heavy armour) walk into contact, making contact on round 3 or 4. The archers/x-bowmen are optional (and might be an overkill against normal smallish AI armies, but there is no better kill than overkill, is there? ), but if you field them they are firing at the giants while the mages buff up. Rounds 4 and 5 the mages fire the GfH, and it is *very* likely the giants will run.

If you are fighting a *large* giant army, then you need to replace the single slingers with mages who cast slowing spells (mentioned above). You do *not* want the giants to make contact with your troops early (or at all ).