EA Oceania - Knight of the deep too good?

[cleveland]

Haruhi_Suzumiya said:

how can u beat Oceania?

Haven't tested this extensively, but an ice elemental approach could be an effective defense against the initial rush.

Strategy is simple: take Cold-3 with high dominion and access Conj-5 as quickly as possible. With Magic-3, you can open it on turn 14 with 1 Slave Mage/turn; with Magic-1, you can open it on turn 13 with 1 Mind Lord/turn.

Recruit Lobo Guards & the Net-wielding Mermen at a 3:1 ratio. When the rush comes, assign to your mages in mixed squads, form a line in the back row (with gaps in between!), Hold & Attack closest.

Put your mages in the gaps with 3 water gems each. Script (Summon Water Power)(Summon Water Elemental)(Summon Water Elemental) Spells.

Since you took cold scales, your water elementals will be ice elementals: high-protection trampling thugs. They've also got a cold aura, decreasing enemy defense.

The lances of the KoDs will be absorbed by the lobos. The mermen will intermittently entangle them, muting their effectiveness. Your chaff will keep the elementals from being overwhelmed, and shouldn't rout too quickly, as the lobos have morale=50.

It's a reasonable strategy that certainly doesn't cripple Rlyeh. It actually synergizes with them: underwater, so lots of water gems and no penalties for cold scales; no production scale needed; conjuration school, so voice of tiamet will keep the front lines stocked with water gems.

It's not offensively viable, but it should hurt Oceania enough to make him think twice about pressing the attack. You then have some breathing room to dive into thaumaturgy for mind burn --> paralyze --> soul slay --> enslave mind, all of which will be relatively successful thanks to the penetration bonuses of your high magic scale & Light of the Northern Star.

Thoughts?