Early game with LA Marignon

[triqui]

Hi everybody.

I'm going to start a game with LA Marignon. On the long run, it seems pretty obvious to me that it is going to be a strong nation with strong blood magic, thanks to those spamable 70g diabolists. Early, they can expand pretty nice with Crossbows and Flaggelants.

In SP, i will rush to Construction 4 to get sanguine douses, and then swap to Blood ASAP. But against IA, you can defend yourself pretty well using Crossbows. Even Indy crossbows for that matter. But players use double bless, mass elephants, awake SC, etc. So i'm not sure how to research or what to research to be able to defend myself against an early rush. (i know the right answer is diplomacy, but if that does not work?)

Should i go to Evocation 4 first? If i use a lot of mages in battles, that would hurt my research a lot . Should i build a new fort soon (like in turn 3-4)?

I'm even thinking about an Awake SC. But then i give up the angelic summons, and the powerful astral magic, becouse i wont have Baphamut S9F9.

I have been searching the site, and i have found a MA Marignon guide, but nothing about LA.

Any advice?