What am I supposed to do with Shamen?

[tinkthank]

I cant figure out the Shamen's niche, and don't really dig his raison d'etre.

It seems the only spells with his name written on them in big, shiny letters is "summon coatl", which I dislike because of its cost.

People have mentioned that he makes an ok c-slave, but with Ctis, I cant really use him as such much, since it is either with a rare random on my marsh/sauromancers, or on another Shaman, and I dont really know what to do with him then; and 110 gold isnt really dirt cheap either (well compared to other slaves out there).

Is he a researcher type? I suppose that would work with some magic scales, considering his sacred upkeep....

So what do YOU use him for? (Especially tips on early- mid game appreciated here)?

Thanks much in advance

[HotNifeThruButr]

He's the best researcher, aside from indies, that you can get your scaly mitts on. And, aside from Couatl, they're good as communion slaves.

Edit: I'd like to add that libraries are very common sites that don't need to be searched.

[ June 20, 2004, 12:23: Message edited by: HotNifeThruButr ]

[Chazar]

I'd agree that he looks like a sensible researcher: 3,6 Gold Upkeep per turn for 4 RP does make some sense indeed...

[Nagot Gick Fel]

Originally posted by tinkthank:
So what do YOU use him for? (Especially tips on early- mid game appreciated here)?

Researchers - assuming a magic scale

Site searchers - Arcane probing, Haruspex with a Mace

Curse - the bane of most SCs

Behemoth enhancers - etherealize them first, can also cast Luck on them, and keep them healthy with Healing Light

Communion - using shamen as both slaves and masters, gives access to many useful level 3+ astral and nature spells (see LIZARDS GONE WILD in Alex's thread)

Protection vs hostile rituals like Mind Hunt or scrying spells

Forging - many useful items available at astral-1 & nature 1-2 (again, the Mace)

Cheap enough to be worth risking even if the opposition can field better (but more expensive) mind duellists - eg, vs Mystics, out of 36 tries you win 10, draw 5 , and lose 21. Weighted results: (15 * 180 - 26 * 110) / 36 = 4.44 gold - that's your expected relative loss to Arco in mage value, so it's insignificant enough to take the risk. Don't forget to use Light of the Northern Stars in these situations though.

That's all I can think of just now, but I'm sure I'm missing lots of other things shamen are good for.

[Anglachel]

They make great pets.

[Kel]

They aren't as good for C'tis as they are for non-nature nations (when you find indie shamans).

Their sacred attribute makes them somewhat mediocre researchers.

They do shine in two areas.
One is they can commune and make relief/mass protection squads. Of course, I like Miasma the best so that's using 440 gold instead of a 220 gold marshmaster

The other is that they can arcane probe for astral sites and then make some handy 1S items, like AMA and luck ammy (in addition to the arcane probing)

For C'tis, they aren't great but they aren't useless, imo, kind of run of the mill. For nations that can't get access to relief/mass protection, they are highly useful.

- Kel

[ June 20, 2004, 16:45: Message edited by: Kel ]