• Land Rush
• Obtaining Fury & Allies
• Pushing Past Your Borders
• The Race for Points and the Black Between

Good unit and spell usage involves a little strategy.

• Units
• Order
• Location
• Communication
• Style

Land Rush:

In the Land Rush, you will seek to expand your empires border as quickly as possible and, in the process, secure as many regions with a terrain type of Plains as possible.

You also should seek to protect pathways into and out of your empire.

Obtaining Fury & Allies:

While fury and allies have nothing to do with one another, you will need to begin focusing your attention on gaining both.

Fury allows you to create Forms and cast Spells. These weapons will greatly effect your success in the larger battles of the next stage.

Determining and establishing Allies is also useful during this period so that you don't have to fight battles on all your fronts at all times.

Pushing Past Your Borders:

Once you've determined where you're going to expand, go with everything you can muster.

Capture your opponent's temple or fortress, use it as your own and push onward.

Show no fear. Playing "nice guy" isn't going to get you far, unless you can somehow convince other players to pledge allegiance to you - which leads us to the last stage...

The Race for Points and the Black Between:

Points are obtained by adding up the number of regions in your empire plus half the total points of players who have pledged allegiance to you.

Casting each Black Between spell upgrades your lessers to the next lesser type. It also brings you closer to ending the game by casting (or owning) all six.

During this period you'll need to use your finest negotiating skills to pick those to pledge to or (better yet) convince others to pledge to you while casting and guarding your Black Betweens!

1. Don't evenly distribute your forces. You don't need any forces to hold a region. Move your forces where you need them, at the front lines, where the battles will be fought.

2. Be prepared to give ground if your forces are outnumbered or outclassed. Giving your enemy more fury should never be in your plan.

3. Use the different terrain types to your advantage. Hide your legions in the forests and make your opponents march through the dunes to decrease their numbers.

4. Study your opponent's use of spells. Do they spend only the minimum fury? Do they favor particular spells? Are you in a position to spend more than they have to ensure your spell takes effect in the next battle?

What to Order?

Deciding where and when to order lessers, forms, structures, and spells and how to use them is important to any commander.

1. Choose your units and locations based on what they'll be used for.

2. Consider overall unit effectiveness (depending on terrain type, number of attacks, cost, and experience).

3. Choose units that fit your style (your religion, empire, and attitude).

4. Check into pricing and your ability to replenish your Fury and Treasure.

Structure Location

Once your empire is bordering your neighbors, it's time to strategize for new structures. Find avenues into and out of your empire. Where are you strong, where are you vulnerable, where can you still expand?

In general, you want to place structures where you need them, on the front lines to supply your forces with fresh units. Fortresses also offer a defensive bonus to all of your lessers occupying the fortress. These lessers behave as if they have received the next upgrade.

But beware, these structures can be captured and used against you.

Communicating with Players

Maintaining contact via Email and Newsgroups with other players in your area can make a big difference in your ability to strike at the right time and place.

Planting false information, using timed threats, and watching for barely surviving regions makes victory much less costly.

Also, using spells effectively increases your knowledge of and ability to manipulate enemy forces.

Playing with Style

By taunting enemies and playing in character, you can rally support from other players and add to the suspense and fun of the game.