Killing mages in the back

[Gregstrom]

Again, it's about dealing maximum damage. Bladewind has an awful lot of missiles, and frequently targeting larger groups will (on average) deal more damage than targeting smaller unarmoured groups.

[ghoul31]

Originally Posted by Gregstrom

Again, it's about dealing maximum damage. Bladewind has an awful lot of missiles, and frequently targeting larger groups will (on average) deal more damage than targeting smaller unarmoured groups.

Thats not true. Bladewind does almost no damage at all to heavily armored groups. But the computer often will target the heavily armored troops instead of the mages.

[Fantomen]

Flying thugs can work well if you make a lot of them and have them attack rear on different turns. Make sure to have some regular fliers attack before them.

Flying tramplers are good too, like elephants/behemoths/leviathans buffed with gift of flight or big guys with stymphalian wings+golden shield, I like GORed seige golems or crushers for that.

Well placed and protected mages are sure hard to kill though, but thats a good thing IMO.

[zzcat]

"Attack large monster" work wonders in many situation. And you can cast border summons like Howl at turn 5. There is a good chance that your foe's army has moved far enough so your wolves can slay a couple of mages before they are killed.

[Deathjester]

Originally Posted by ghoul31

Thats not true. Bladewind does almost no damage at all to heavily armored groups. But the computer often will target the heavily armored troops instead of the mages.

You have to factor range into the equation as well. The mage will target the heavily armored troops if a better target is not in range (usually the case with mages placed in the back).

[Gregstrom]

Originally Posted by ghoul31

Thats not true. Bladewind does almost no damage at all to heavily armored groups. But the computer often will target the heavily armored troops instead of the mages.

Dealing ~12 points of damage split across 30 armoured troops > dealing 9 points of damage and killing an elderly mage.

[Deathjester]

Originally Posted by Gregstrom

Dealing ~12 points of damage split across 30 armoured troops > dealing 9 points of damage and killing an elderly mage.

Yeah. Damage points is the hard currency here. The mage will not consider that 9 points to a mage is better than 12 points to chaff. Apart from being hard to code mages evaluating targets like that, it would be bad design if you could just pick off mages easily imo. Part of the challenge is to figure out ways to get to them, and the tactical part of using troops wisely to protect mages is an important part of tactics.

[Taqwus]

Earth Attack and Disease Demons are decent against mages.

Darkness and storms can reduce their utility until you do manage to kill them, if you're not as dependent on precision as they are.