Neither Air nor Astral

[tinkthank]

I don't know how they do it. Since having gained at least some knowledge of the magic system, I can no longer see how anyone can survive and have fun with neither astral nor air. I used to love Machaka, for instance -- but if I don't use some form of odd rainbowish pretender with at least some air or (preferably: and) astral, I feel so .... bogged down. Astral just seems so key to me, both tactically and strategically. If you have no air, then moving lots of troops is limited to... forest walk spell whose name escapes me? And all of the groovy items you cannot forge -- argh no, I can't bear to think about it! Give me Air and Astral, yeah! I am an AIR ASTRAL JUNKIE, help!

[fahdiz]

Originally posted by tinkthank:
I don't know how they do it. Since having gained at least some knowledge of the magic system, I can no longer see how anyone can survive and have fun with neither astral nor air. I used to love Machaka, for instance -- but if I don't use some form of odd rainbowish pretender with at least some air or (preferably: and) astral, I feel so .... bogged down. Astral just seems so key to me, both tactically and strategically. If you have no air, then moving lots of troops is limited to... forest walk spell whose name escapes me? And all of the groovy items you cannot forge -- argh no, I can't bear to think about it! Give me Air and Astral, yeah! I am an AIR ASTRAL JUNKIE, help!

Sorry if it feels like I'm following you around. I just happen to be interested in the same topics you're posting in...I swear!

I guess it sort of boils down to playstyle. One of the reasons I love Caelum is that it's such a huge departure from the way I normally play, and it's all due to their Air and their mobility.

With Machaka, however, I find their strengths are enough that they don't need to rely as much on that kind of mobility. Fever fetishes rock, and so do the summons and versatility that Fire, Death, and Nature magic can bring. They get those stealthy priests, too, like Caelum... "Ears of the Lord: Pushing Dominion, So You Don't Have To (TM)."

[tinkthank]

heheh. Since I like reading your Posts, I have nothing against it -- quite the contrary!

But back to business: I am sure you are right. I guess it is a question of style. I just noticed that there are only 3 races with neither air nor astral (Ulm, Pangaia, Machaka) -- that's not a lot. And I just love Machaka so much -- but how it hurts me to puzzle over a pretender, how I always try to sneak some air or astral in.... heheh. But maybe I should just forget it and try to go without it -- I forget who wrote somewhere something along the lines of "why should I play Caelum like I play Ulm?".

[fahdiz]

Originally posted by tinkthank:
heheh. Since I like reading your Posts, I have nothing against it -- quite the contrary!

But back to business: I am sure you are right. I guess it is a question of style. I just noticed that there are only 3 races with neither air nor astral (Ulm, Pangaia, Machaka) -- that's not a lot. And I just love Machaka so much -- but how it hurts me to puzzle over a pretender, how I always try to sneak some air or astral in.... heheh. But maybe I should just forget it and try to go without it -- I forget who wrote somewhere something along the lines of "why should I play Caelum like I play Ulm?".

It's fun to test yourself, too, by doing things in a game to which you'd normally be adverse (such as going without Air or Astral ). Sometimes you end up saying "nope, I just can't do without it", but sometimes you see things in a completely different way, and it helps you with other portions of the game as well.

[vanedor]

Air necessary?

I don't think so. I played quite a few games without using it. But perhaps it's the fact I tend to play the smaller maps.

[tinkthank]

Originally posted by vanedor:
Air necessary?

I don't think so. I played quite a few games without using it. But perhaps it's the fact I tend to play the smaller maps.

Hey is that a portrait of Descartes?

Well in any case: Nothing is necessary. But I love air for Wind Guide if for nothing else, and for Arrow Fend if vs the usual suspects, and for staffs of storms, or whatever the plural is, and for all the other great items it yields.