Rantine: Better dead than alive?

[Zechnophobe]

So, I dig Rantine. He's an early hero who can convert Barb cities. It's nice.

The problem is, though, that once people are building units like champions, he's not really very good anymore. Sure he's a bit stronger than average, but coddling that strength seems like a waste.

So I've been thinking that maybe what you really SHOULD do, is at this point, kill the punk, and build the Hero Shrine instead. With Sheelba, you can then have 2 XP units with combat 3.

 

[MagisterCultuum]

Actually, the free promotions/xp from buildings do not apply to the extra unit from warrens.

 

[Pike the Hands]

Actually, the free promotions/xp from buildings do not apply to the extra unit from warrens.

I don't think that's what the dude was talking about- rather, Sheelba's aggressive trait (combat 1) plus free promotion (combat 2) plus 2 XP from civics/Form of the Titan/whatever (combat 3). Warrens weren't mentioned.

That said, you're right. Rantine really is better off dead in the late game, unless you'd rather just keep him around for sentimental value. I've actually deleted Loki several times before for the exact same reason, if I found myself on a continent alone.

 

[MagisterCultuum]

Oh. I think I over looked the "XP" part

 

[reverend oats]

Magister, I believe they do now. I remember my extra Wolf Riders benefiting from the Aggressive trait.

 

[MagisterCultuum]

Note that I said from buildings. A trait is not a building. Promotions granted by traits are applied even if a unit is added in worldbuilder.

 

[onedreamer]

Zechnophobe... you call him an early hero and "criticize him" for being obsolete in late game. Use him early, ditch him later.

 

[Zechnophobe]

Zechnophobe... you call him an early hero and "criticize him" for being obsolete in late game. Use him early, ditch him later.

So, maybe I'm misunderstanding, but as far as I can tell, what you are suggesting is exactly what I put into the first post. Since you are making odd use of quotes, I detect some amount of angst on your part, which seems weird given you are repeating the very strategy definition I've listed here.

 

[onedreamer]

actually, I had not read well your suggested strategy. Sorry about that.

 

[Fafnir13]

Use him recklessly. If nothing else, he can take a few jerks down with him before he goes. I used him to spearhead an attack against the Kuriotates once. Jerk died rather quickly, but at least I don't have to feel bad about it.

 

[MrUnderhill]

I never really thought Rantine was useless, even in the late game. He can get all the weapon promotions (which techs really well if you're running Runes and have the Mines of Gal-dur already) and generic units typically don't get Combat 5 to start with. Properly built he can become another Bambur (or Orthus without his AI-induced death wish). Worst case scenario, level him up some more and send him after Brigit (or Acheron if the barbs have turned on you already). If he succeeds, fine. If not, you get the Shrine of the Champion. Win-win, either way.