Guide to Marverni

[fantasma]

Baalz, great write up.

On most I have to agree and are part of the setup in my current game, in a slightly different way, though. Although I mess it up quite a lot of times, like not having a skullcap in a lab when I need one right now ...

You seem to completely ignore the ambitate nobles, though. I think they are the best general purpose unit Marverni has. They have better att/def then the carnutes and do only marginally less damage. Their morale is decent, also, and they are cheaper, goldwise.

One thing I haven't concluded yet is whether to rely on gutuator's 1/4 for communion or go for stargazers.
You pay more upkeep for 1 less in research and they are mapmove 1.

[fantasma]

To my experience, the PD runs quite early, especially if in enemy dominion. Wouldn't that mean an autorout problem when you have just a druid/golem there?

I at least suffered that several times when the battle was virtually won.

[Baalz]

Well, golems don't rout, ever. They're rather unique in that.

For the PD issue with druids, it depends on what you're facing. The druids spew a ridiculous amount of damage real fast, so the biggest threat to making the PD rout before the druids can lay the smack down is archers - anything else needs to spend a couple rounds closing and a couple rounds killing which is all the time the druids need. If your opponent is fielding significant archers just skip the PD completely as the druids are basically immune to it. A combination of archers and cavalry/flyers is the hardest thing for the druids to handle (pay no attention anyone in my current game), but small numbers can be handled by throwing in a summon earth elemental or swarm before starting in with the evocations. If you're talking about large amounts of cavalry *and* archers...well that sounds like where the golems need to go.

[Baalz]

fantasma said:
You seem to completely ignore the ambitate nobles, though. I think they are the best general purpose unit Marverni has. They have better att/def then the carnutes and do only marginally less damage. Their morale is decent, also, and they are cheaper, goldwise.

Well, you could (and have) make an argument for the Ambitate nobles, but I tend to prefer the extra toughness and damage of the Carnutes. I suppose it depends on what specifically you're fighting, but for me the bereserk bonus is what really puts the Carnutes into the top spot for me. When berserk they have a better attack than the Ambitates, much more damage, never rout, ignore fear/awe and have much more protection.

[theenemy]

Great guide Baalz! Now I just HAVE to try out those strategies!