I truly believe that we need to buff our Influence ability, to the extent that I would prefer we did both the Smog and Ethereal Armamant (as smog does a minor boost to Inf along with its major in combat, like Ethereal Armament might see some use in the combat lanes along with the major Inf use).
Honestly, I like all three. But the Influence lane is the priority right now, and Alche-Smelting does not help it.
Correction, we were supposed to do equipment since we did the Drills last Revision Phase. And keep in mind the angels are improving on the battle front.
If it's compromise, even if it is copying, having healing would help both on the battlefield and in the INF lane, as we can offer our own healing services. The Keepers, being spellcasters, can also use the spell to prevent themselves from bleeding out.
Right now, we are still behind militarily. Better gear will close the gap, as would healing. So for compromise, Healing would be the way to go to improve both lanes.
What is going on with the vote shift? Do we want to lose completely on the Battle Lanes?
The sudden vote shift when I was going to change my vote to the Compromise option is disorienting.
() [HE] The Smouldering Forges :
(0) The Standards of Evil- The Ancient Workshops Restored :
(2) Alche-smelting : MoP, TricMagic
(3) Spell: Choking Smog : MoP, DGR, Detoxicated
(4) Spell: Ethereal Armament : Kashyyk, Rockeater, DGR, Detoxicated
(1) Dark Healing : TricMagic
From Discord for those not looking at it.
Right. So right now, the angels outperform us when it comes to 1 on 1 combat and Army vs Army combat. This changes when we break their formations until they completely break down and retreat. at which point they hole up in their forts, which stops us from advancing that season.
The addition of the mourning wyverns and the skirmishers is going to have that tactic applied to us soon enough however.
Improving our gear will see us match the enemy in equipment, which will improve our combat ability. Not improving our gear will see us outperformed whenever the tide turns against us.
Barrier Magic is likely to be seen this turn from the angels to block our volley of magic missiles.(Theoretically). They then close up and tear us apart after we've had to deal with being picked off from range by the enchanted bows. Not to mention skirmishers striking at us and then retreating.
A general improvement to our gear will see us winning on the battlefront. No improvement on the battlefront will see us get pushed back to the fort, and then they will once again charge it, break in, and push us out of it. Unlike the issues we have had with pursuing.
Two spells could help with this. The first is the Smog, which can break formations, prevent accurate fire, and smoke them out of the forts.
The second is just copying them with Dark Healing. Our forces can now recover, and we are stronger than them. Which means we can push the forts and armies, and recover from damage dealt to us on approach and during/after battles.
Dark Healing can also be used by keepers, allowing a team of them to shuffle between defense and recovery. As well, it gives us a counter to their healing services, being able to offer our own.
Ethereal Armament, meanwhile, only improves the Guards. If used on the battlefield, Uruks can't use it without losing their spell slot. Acolytes don't have the physical training and shouldn't be on the front lines at all, not to mention if they are using it, they aren't attacking. Warcasters have the training, but have their own sword, and should be focusing more on magical attacks.
So it does not sufficiently improve their combat abilities compared to actual equipment.