Vanheim themes?

[FarAway Pretender]

Yeah, if you're into the SC route, I think the Dwarves EEE make an awesome combo with mounted heros. Since Mounted heroes don't get the Defense penalty from Armor, a full suit of Black Steel Plate Armor can give one of the best combos of High Defense (somewhat glamor-dependent, admittedly) and High Protection in the early game.

The lack of Lifedrain is challenging, admittedly.

[Nagot Gick Fel]

Heironeous said:
If I get some random B's instead of D, then I would definitely go the empower route: hunt -> sanguine rods -> hunt -> empower Vanjarl. That opens up both hellswords and storm demons, which isn't too shabby... it's just a lot more work than the death route.

If you're lucky enough to get a Galderman with randoms in earth and blood, you'd better empower that one than a Vanjarl. Gives you the same plus Blood Stones (a rare and very useful item) - and Demon Knight as an alternative to Storm Demons.