{{ :nations:flags:ea_tien_chi.png|}} ====== EA T'ien Ch'i, Spring and Autumn ====== ===== Lore ===== //T'ien Ch'i is obviously influenced by China. I couldn't even resist the name Spring and Autumn, from the period of the same name in Chinese history. Chinese history is rich and there is plenty to draw upon. Daoism and its five elements, inner alchemy, and quest for longevity inspired the Masters of the Way as did the T'ien Shih—celestial master—of institutional Daoism convert into the Celestial Master of T'ien Ch'i. Heroes come in plenty in the Chinese tales and the Seven Immortals are all interesting figures. Sun Wukong and his friends are perhaps even more so. There is plenty of stuff to expand on should I or a merry modder find the time. Finally, T'ien Ch'i has been inspired movies from Hong Kong, China, and Korea.// -- Illwinter The Celestial Empire has not yet been founded. The magic of The Way permeates the realm and reclusive mages conjure Celestial Beings to do their bidding. Nobles wage war upon each other for honor and glory. A few chosen warriors and mages dedicate their lives to training in the Way of the Five Elements. The deceased are worshipped and village priests conjure the dead to ask for guidance and aid. It is a time of legends. -- Nation Description ===== General Overview ===== If you are considering picking this nation to play, what should you know? =====National Features===== ^ Magic Access ^ Alt. Access ^ Unit Summary ^ Core Abilities ^ Buildings ^ | {{path>F2}}\\ {{path>A2}} (Rare 3) \\ {{path>W3}} (Rare 4) \\ {{path>E2}}\\ {{path>S2}} (Rare 3)\\ {{path>D1}}\\ {{path>N2}}\\ {{path>G2}} (Rare 3)\\ {{path>H2}} Cap-only\\ {{path>H1}} in Forts | **Heroes** \\ {{path>A1N2}}\\ {{path>F1A1W2S3H2}} \\ {{path>A2S2D2}} \\ **Summons** \\ {{path>N1G3,50%AWESN,50%AWESN,25%AWESG}} (req. {{path>N2}}) | Well-equipped Units for EA\\ Chariots\\ Long-lived mages with wide magic spread | {{:abilities:combat_caster.png?15&nolink}} [[Combat Caster]]\\ {{:abilities:need_not_eat.png?15&nolink}} [[Need Not Eat]]\\ {{:abilities:trample.png?15&nolink}} [[Trample]] | {{:misc:gui:fortress.png?30&nolink}} [[Fort|Standard Fortresses]] | **Capitol Gems: **{{gems>1F2W2S1D}} **The Gate of Spring and Autumn:** Boosts [[astral]] ritual range in the capital by 1 province . ===== National Units ===== T'ien Ch'i has one of the best human line troops of the early age with a very flexible cap and Forien Recruit mages. ==== Commanders ==== Variety in commanders is limited. Only one troop leader, though decent, can be expensive. Is pretty clear which mages you should be recruiting off-fort, in-fort, and in Cap. ^ Sprite ^ Unit Name ^ Special Attributes ^ Comments ^ | {{:nations:ea:tien_chi:scout.png?nolink}} | **??Scout??**\\ {{gold}} 35\\ {{:misc:gui:resources.png?15&nolink}} 4 \\ {{:misc:gui:recruitmentpoints.png?15&nolink}} 1 | {{:abilities:stealthy.png?15&nolink}} [[Stealthy]] (50)\\ {{:abilities:mountain_survival.png?20&nolink}} [[Mountain Survival]]\\ {{:abilities:forest_survival.png?20&nolink}} [[Forest Survival]] | Commentary here. | | {{:nations:ea:tien_chi:Noble_Commander.png?nolink}} | **??Noble Commander??**\\ {{gold}} 135\\ {{:misc:gui:resources.png?15&nolink}} 52 \\ {{:misc:gui:recruitmentpoints.png?15&nolink}} 1 | | Commentary here. | | {{:nations:ea:tien_chi:cataphracted_chariot.png?nolink}} | //??Cataphracted Chariot??// | {{:abilities:animal.png?15&nolink}} [[Animal]] \\ {{:abilities:trample.png?15&nolink}} [[Trample]] | Commentary here. | | {{:nations:ea:tien_chi:student_of_the_sword.png?nolink}} | **??Student of the Sword??**\\ {{:misc:gui:gold.png?15&nolink}} 70\\ {{:misc:gui:resources.png?15&nolink}} 5 \\ {{:misc:gui:recruitmentpoints.png?15&nolink}} 2 | {{path>100%FAWEN}} {{path>R3}}\\ {{:abilities:combat_caster.png?15&nolink}} [[Combat Caster]] | Commentary here. | | {{:nations:ea:tien_chi:master_of_the_sword.png?nolink}} | **??Master of the Sword??**\\ {{:misc:gui:gold.png?15&nolink}} 170\\ {{:misc:gui:resources.png?15&nolink}} 5 \\ {{:misc:gui:recruitmentpoints.png?15&nolink}} 2\\ {{:misc:gui:forest.png?20&nolink}} Non-fort Forests Only\\ {{:misc:gui:mountain.png?20&nolink}} Non-fort Mountain Only | {{path>200%FAWEN}} {{path>R5}}\\ {{:abilities:combat_caster.png?15&nolink}} [[Combat Caster]]\\ {{:abilities:mountain_survival.png?15&nolink}} [[Mountain Survival]]\\ {{:abilities:forest_survival.png?15&nolink}} [[Forest Survival]]\\ {{:abilities:need_not_eat.png?15&nolink}} [[Need not Eat]] | Commentary here. | | {{:nations:ea:tien_chi:student_of_the_five_elements.png?nolink}} | **??Student of the Five Elements??**\\ {{:misc:gui:gold.png?15&nolink}} 85\\ {{:misc:gui:resources.png?15&nolink}} 1 \\ {{:misc:gui:recruitmentpoints.png?15&nolink}} 2\\ Non-fort Only | {{path>100%FAWEN}} {{path>R7}}\\ {{:abilities:sacred.png?15&nolink}} [[Sacred]] | Commentary here. | | {{:nations:ea:tien_chi:master_of_the_dead.png?nolink}} | **??Master of the Dead??**\\ {{:misc:gui:gold.png?15&nolink}} 100\\ {{:misc:gui:resources.png?15&nolink}} 2 \\ {{:misc:gui:recruitmentpoints.png?15&nolink}} 2 | {{path>D1H1}} {{path>R7}}\\ {{:abilities:sacred.png?15&nolink}} [[Sacred]] \\ {{:abilities:spirit_sight.png?15&nolink}} [[Spirit Sight]] | Commentary here. | | {{:nations:ea:tien_chi:student_of_the_way.png?nolink}} | **??Student of the Way??**\\ {{:misc:gui:gold.png?15&nolink}} 120\\ {{:misc:gui:resources.png?15&nolink}} 1 \\ {{:misc:gui:recruitmentpoints.png?15&nolink}} 2\\ Non-fort Recruit Available | {{path>W1,100%ASNG}} {{path>R9}}\\ {{:abilities:sacred.png?15&nolink}} [[Sacred]]\\ {{:abilities:need_not_eat.png?15&nolink}} [[Need not Eat]] | Commentary here. | | {{:nations:ea:tien_chi:master_of_the_way.png?nolink}} | **??Master of the Way??**\\ {{:misc:gui:gold.png?15&nolink}} 265\\ {{:misc:gui:resources.png?15&nolink}} 1 \\ {{:misc:gui:recruitmentpoints.png?15&nolink}} 2\\ Non-fort Only | {{path>W1,100%AWSNG,100%AWSNG}} {{path>R11}}\\ {{:abilities:sacred.png?15&nolink}} [[Sacred]]\\ {{:abilities:need_not_eat.png?15&nolink}} [[Need not Eat]] | Commentary here. | | {{:nations:ea:tien_chi:master_of_the_five_elements.png?nolink}} | **??Master of the Five Elements??**\\ {{:misc:gui:gold.png?15&nolink}} 355\\ {{:misc:gui:resources.png?15&nolink}} 1 \\ {{:misc:gui:recruitmentpoints.png?15&nolink}} 2\\ {{:misc:gui:fortress.png?20&nolink}} Capital Only | {{path>F1A1W1E1N1H1,100%FAWEN}} {{path>R17}}\\ {{:abilities:sacred.png?15&nolink}} [[Sacred]]\\ {{:abilities:supply_bonus.png?15&nolink}} [[Supply Bonus]] (10) | Commentary here. | | {{:nations:ea:tien_chi:celestial_master.png?nolink}} | **??Celestial Master#941??**\\ {{:misc:gui:gold.png?15&nolink}} 485\\ {{:misc:gui:resources.png?15&nolink}} 2 \\ {{:misc:gui:recruitmentpoints.png?15&nolink}} 4\\ {{:misc:gui:fortress.png?20&nolink}} Capital Only | {{path>F1A1W2S1G1H2,100%AWSG,10%AWSG,100%FEDN}} {{path>R21}}\\ {{:abilities:sacred.png?15&nolink}} [[Sacred]]\\ {{:abilities:need_not_eat.png?15&nolink}} [[Need-Not-Eat]]\\ {{:abilities:spirit_sight.png?15&nolink}} [[Spirit Sight]]\\ {{:abilities:flying.png?15&nolink}} [[Flying]] | Commentary here. | ==== Troops ==== Line troops are made up of 3 tiers of body armour. (Full Leather: port 9 Def -1 Enc 1, -2 mapmove) (Scale mail Cuirass: Same but +1 Prot Iron and +3 Resources) (Full Scale Mail: Prot 15 Def -3 Enc 3 -6 mapmove Iron) Even the lighter armored grunts are well protected from arrows. Regardless of the Armor worn, almost all troops wear Half Helmets (Prot 18 Iron), which negates most damage inflicted to the head. ^ Sprite ^ Unit Name ^ Special Attributes ^ Comments ^ | {{:nations:ea:tien_chi:Footman.png?nolink}} | **??Footman#794??**\\ {{gold}} 10\\ {{:misc:gui:resources.png?15&nolink}} 9 \\ {{:misc:gui:recruitmentpoints.png?15&nolink}} 9 | | Commentary here. | | {{:nations:ea:tien_chi:Footman_2.png?nolink}} | **??Footman#795??**\\ {{gold}} 10\\ {{:misc:gui:resources.png?15&nolink}} 11 \\ {{:misc:gui:recruitmentpoints.png?15&nolink}} 9 | | Commentary here. | | {{:nations:ea:tien_chi:Footman_3.png?nolink}} | **??Footman#796??**\\ {{gold}} 10\\ {{:misc:gui:resources.png?15&nolink}} 11 \\ {{:misc:gui:recruitmentpoints.png?15&nolink}} 9 | | Commentary here. | | {{:nations:ea:tien_chi:archer.png?nolink}} | **??Archer#797??**\\ {{gold}} 10\\ {{:misc:gui:resources.png?15&nolink}} 12 \\ {{:misc:gui:recruitmentpoints.png?15&nolink}} 9 | | Commentary here. | | {{:nations:ea:tien_chi:Medium_Footman.png?nolink}} | **??Medium Footman#1901??**\\ {{gold}} 10\\ {{:misc:gui:resources.png?15&nolink}} 14 \\ {{:misc:gui:recruitmentpoints.png?15&nolink}} 9 | | Commentary here. | | {{:nations:ea:tien_chi:Medium_Footman_2.png?nolink}} | **??Medium Footman#1904??**\\ {{gold}} 10\\ {{:misc:gui:resources.png?15&nolink}} 14 \\ {{:misc:gui:recruitmentpoints.png?15&nolink}} 9 | | ::: | | {{:nations:ea:tien_chi:heavy_Footman.png?nolink}} | **??Heavy Footman#928??**\\ {{gold}} 10\\ {{:misc:gui:resources.png?15&nolink}} 20 \\ {{:misc:gui:recruitmentpoints.png?15&nolink}} 9 | | Commentary here. | | {{:nations:ea:tien_chi:heavy_Footman_2.png?nolink}} | **??Heavy Footman#929??**\\ {{gold}} 10\\ {{:misc:gui:resources.png?15&nolink}} 20 \\ {{:misc:gui:recruitmentpoints.png?15&nolink}} 9 | | ::: | | {{:nations:ea:tien_chi:Horseman.png?nolink}} | **??Horseman??**\\ {{gold}} 25\\ {{:misc:gui:resources.png?15&nolink}} 17 \\ {{:misc:gui:recruitmentpoints.png?15&nolink}} 24 | {{:abilities:skilled_rider.png?15&nolink}} [[Skilled Rider]] (1)\\ {{:abilities:mobile_archer.png?15&nolink}} [[Mobile Archer]] | Commentary here. | | {{:nations:ea:tien_chi:armored_steppe_horse.png?nolink}} | //??Armored Steppe Horse??// | {{:abilities:animal.png?15&nolink}} [[Animal]] | Commentary here. | | {{:nations:ea:tien_chi:noble.png?nolink}} | **??Noble??**\\ {{gold}} 40\\ {{:misc:gui:resources.png?15&nolink}} 52 \\ {{:misc:gui:recruitmentpoints.png?15&nolink}} 31 | | Commentary here. | | {{:nations:ea:tien_chi:cataphracted_chariot.png?nolink}} | //??Cataphracted Chariot??// | {{:abilities:animal.png?15&nolink}} [[Animal]] \\ {{:abilities:trample.png?15&nolink}} [[Trample]]\\ no-move-penalty-for-armor | Commentary here. | | {{:nations:ea:tien_chi:Warrior_of_the_five_Elements.png?nolink}} | **??Warrior of the Five Elements??**\\ {{:misc:gui:gold.png?15&nolink}} 35\\ {{:misc:gui:resources.png?15&nolink}} 6 \\ {{:misc:gui:recruitmentpoints.png?15&nolink}} 31\\ {{:misc:gui:fortress.png?20&nolink}} Capital Only | {{:abilities:sacred.png?15&nolink}} [[Sacred]] \\ {{:abilities:resist_fire.png?15&nolink}} [[Fire Resistance]] (5)\\ {{:abilities:resist_cold.png?15&nolink}} [[Cold Resistance]] (5)\\ {{:abilities:resist_poison.png?15&nolink}} [[Poison Resistance]] (5)\\ {{:abilities:resist_shock.png?15&nolink}} [[Shock Resistance]] (5)\\ {{:abilities:strength_of_the_spring.png?15&nolink}} [[Strength of the Spring]] (50)\\ {{:abilities:ambidextrous.png?15&nolink}} [[Ambidextrous]] (2) | Commentary here. | ==== Heroes ==== As T'ien ch'i, you get {{:abilities:immortal.png?15&nolink}} [[Immortal]] Mages. They have human stats but still useful for light thugging and Casting spells. Keep them way from ??Soul Slay??ers. ^ Sprite ^ Unit Name ^ Special Attributes ^ Comments ^ | {{:nations:ea:tien_chi:immortal.png?nolink}} | **??Ho Hsien-Ku - Immortal??**\\ | {{path>A1N2R11}}\\ {{:abilities:sacred.png?15&nolink}} [[Sacred]]\\ {{:abilities:immortal.png?15&nolink}} [[Immortal]]\\ {{:abilities:supply_bonus.png?15&nolink}} [[Supply Bonus]] (20)\\ {{:abilities:healer.png?15&nolink}} [[Healer]] (1)\\ {{:abilities:ethereal.png?15&nolink}} [[Ethereal]]\\ {{:abilities:flying.png?15&nolink}} [[Flying]]\\ [[Female]] | Commentary here. | | {{:nations:ea:tien_chi:immortal_2.png?nolink}} | **??Lu Tung-Pin - Immortal??**\\ | {{path>F1A1W2S3H2R19}}\\ {{:abilities:sacred.png?15&nolink}} [[Sacred]]\\ {{:abilities:immortal.png?15&nolink}} [[Immortal]]\\ {{:abilities:ambidextrous.png?15&nolink}} [[Ambidextrous]] (3)\\ {{:abilities:flying.png?15&nolink}} [[Flying]] | Commentary here. | | {{:nations:ea:tien_chi:master_with_the_Iron_crutch.png?nolink}} | **??Li T'ieh-Kuai - Master With The Iron Crutch??**\\ | {{path>A2S2D2R17}}\\ {{:abilities:sacred.png?15&nolink}} [[Sacred]]\\ {{:abilities:immortal.png?15&nolink}} [[Immortal]]\\ {{:abilities:fear.png?15&nolink}} [[Fear]] (7)\\ {{:abilities:old_age.png?15&nolink}} [[Old-Age]] (865\500)\\ {{:abilities:spirit_sight.png?15&nolink}} [[Spirit Sight]]\\ {{{abilities:plague_carrier.png?15&nolink}} [[Plague Carrier]] (5)\\ [[Start Affliction]] (100) | Commentary here. | ===== National Spells and Item ===== ==== Summons ==== ==Combat== ^ Summon Spell ^ Unit ^ Special Attributes ^ Comments ^ | **??Call Ancestor??** \\ // (Conjuration 1) // \\ {{path>D1}} | {{:nations:ea:tien_chi:Ancestral_spirit.png?nolink}} \\ ??Ancestral Spirit?? | {{:abilities:resist_cold.png?15&nolink}} [[Cold Resistance]] (15) \\ {{:abilities:resist_poison.png?15&nolink}} [[Poison Resistance]] (25) \\ {{:abilities:stealthy.png?15&nolink}} [[Stealthy]] (40) \\ {{:abilities:salt_vulnerability.png?15&nolink}} [[Salt Vulnerability]] (1) \\ {{:abilities:sacred.png?15&nolink}} [[Sacred]] \\ {{:abilities:poor_amphibian.png?15&nolink}} [[Poor Amphibian]] \\ {{:abilities:undead.png?15&nolink}} [[Undead]] \\ {{:abilities:ethereal.png?15&nolink}} [[Ethereal]] \\ {{:abilities:need_not_eat.png?15&nolink}} [[Need Not Eat]] \\ {{:abilities:floating.png?15&nolink}} [[Floating]] \\ {{:abilities:spirit_sight.png?15&nolink}} [[Spirit Sight]] \\ {{:abilities:spiritform.png?15&nolink}} [[Spiritform]] | A free combat summon, the Ancestral Spirit is distinguished from the Longdead and the Soulless by being [[Ethereal]] and [[Sacred]], not to mention its [[Paralysis-damage|Paralyzing]] attack. It has only 1 HP and (without a stat bless) easily-cut-through Defense Skill, so other magic will generally counter it. | | **??Wrath of the Ancestors??** \\ // (Conjuration 7) // \\ {{path>D1}} and {{gems>1D}} | ??Ancestral Spirit?? x 20++ | ::: | For just a single death [[gem]] per person, or perhaps three death gems for two castings, your ??Spirit Guide??s and other Death mages can form ranks with these ghosts. The Ancestral Spirits fit five-to-a-square, so they can overwhelm even magic-weapon-using elites with attack density and paralysis, just so long as the foe isn't running magical [[Evocation|Evocations]] or area-of-effect [[items|weaponry]]. | ==Ritual== {{:nations:ea:tien_chi:Celestial_Servant.png?15&nolink}}: {{:abilities:sacred.png?15&nolink}} [[Sacred]], {{:abilities:magic_being.png?15&nolink}} [[Magic Being]], {{:abilities:need_not_eat.png?15&nolink}} [[Need-Not-Eat]], {{:abilities:spirit_sight.png?15&nolink}} [[Spirit-Sight]] ^ Summon Spell ^ Unit ^ Special Attributes ^ Comments ^ | **??Celestial Servant??** \\ // (Conjuration 1) // \\ {{path>E1S1}} and {{gems>1E}} | {{:nations:ea:tien_chi:Celestial_Servant.png?nolink}} \\ ??Celestial Servant#903?? | {{:nations:ea:tien_chi:Celestial_Servant.png?15&nolink}} \\ {{:abilities:gluttony.png?15&nolink}} [[Gluttony]] (3) | Commentary here. | | **??Heavenly Rivers??** \\ // (Conjuration 3) // \\ {{path>W1S1}} and {{gems>9W}} | {{:nations:ea:tien_chi:Demon_of_heavenly_rivers.png?nolink}} \\ ??Demon of Heavenly Rivers?? x 3 | {{:nations:ea:tien_chi:Celestial_Servant.png?15&nolink}} \\ {{:abilities:berserker.png?15&nolink}} [[Berserker]] (+4)\\ {{:abilities:amphibious.png?15&nolink}} [[Amphibious]] | Commentary here. | | **??Ambush of Tigers??** \\ // (Conjuration 3) // \\ {{path>N2}} and {{gems>9N}} | {{:nations:ea:kailasa:tiger.png?nolink}} \\ ??Tiger?? x 15+ | {{:abilities:darkvision.png?15&nolink}} [[Darkvision]] (50%) \\ {{:abilities:undisciplined.png?15&nolink}} [[Undisciplined]] \\ {{:abilities:animal.png?15&nolink}} [[Animal]] \\ {{:abilities:forest_survival.png?15&nolink}} [[Forest Survival]] | Commentary here. | | **??Herd of Buffaloes??** \\ // (Conjuration 3) // \\ {{path>N2}} and {{gems>8N}} | {{:nations:ea:ur:buffalo.png?nolink}} \\ ??Buffalo#3009?? x 5+[1/2 lvl] | {{:abilities:berserker.png?15&nolink}} [[Berserker]] (2) \\ {{:abilities:animal.png?15&nolink}} [[Animal]] \\ {{:abilities:trample.png?15&nolink}} [[Trample]] | Commentary here. | | **??Celestial Hounds??** \\ // (Conjuration 4) // \\ {{path>A1S1}} and {{gems>2A}} | {{:nations:ea:tien_chi:Celestial_hound.png?nolink}} \\ ??Celestial Hound?? x 2 | {{:nations:ea:tien_chi:Celestial_Servant.png?15&nolink}} \\ {{:abilities:resist_shock.png?20&nolink}} [[Resist Shock]] (15) \\ {{:abilities:patrol_bonus.png?20&nolink}} [[Patrol Bonus]] (10) \\ {{:abilities:animal.png?20&nolink}} [[Animal]] \\ {{:abilities:Flying.png?15&nolink}} [[Flying]] | Commentary here. | | **??Heavenly Fires??** \\ // (Conjuration 5) // \\ {{path>F1S1}} and {{gems>4F}} | {{:nations:ea:tien_chi:Demon_of_heavenly_fires.png?nolink}} \\ ??Demon of Heavenly Fires?? x 3 | {{:nations:ea:tien_chi:Celestial_Servant.png?15&nolink}} \\ {{:abilities:resist_fire.png?20&nolink}} [[Resist Fire]] (25) \\ {{:abilities:heat_aura.png?20&nolink}} [[Heat Aura]] (3) \\ {{:abilities:fire_power.png?20&nolink}} [[Fire Power]] (1) \\ {{:abilities:Flying.png?15&nolink}} [[Flying]] | Commentary here. | | **??Contact Huli Jing??** \\ // (Conjuration 6) // \\ {{path>N2}} and {{gems>30N}} | {{:nations:ea:tien_chi:Huli_Jing.png?nolink}} \\ {{:nations:ea:tien_chi:Huli_Jing_2.png?nolink}} \\ ??Huli Jing#1908?? ⇔ ??Huli Jing#1909?? | {{path>N1G3,50%AWESN,50%AWESN,25%AWESG}} {{:misc:gui:research.png?nolink}} 15 \\ {{:abilities:Stealth.png?20&nolink}}[[Stealth]] (80) \\ {{:abilities:magic_power.png?15&nolink}} [[Magic Power]] (1) \\ {{:abilities:supply_bonus.png?15&nolink}} [[Supply Bonus]] (10) \\ {{:abilities:animal.png?20&nolink}} [[Animal]] \\ {{:abilities:forest_survival.png?15&nolink}} [[Forest Survival]] \\ {{:abilities:mountain_survival.png?15&nolink}} [[Mountain Survival]] [Fox Form] \\ {{:abilities:spy.png?20&nolink}} [[Spy]] [Humanoid Form] \\ [[Female]] \\ {{:abilities:shapechanger.png?20&nolink}} [[Shapechanger]] (??Huli Jing#1908?? ⇔ ??Huli Jing#1909??) | Being also an extremely stealthy spy is the least notable feature; instead, being your strongest national Glamour mage in addition to 1/4 being able to make both Glamour boosters with ??Earth Boots??. Even able to Summon Fairy Queens for late game.\\ Keep in mind that they are still just about as fragile as humans and cost 30 gems when used in battles. | | **??Call Celestial Soldiers??** \\ // (Conjuration 7) // \\ {{path>A2S1}} and {{gems>15A}} | {{:nations:ea:tien_chi:Celestial_Soldier.png?nolink}} \\ ??Celestial Soldier?? x 6 | {{:nations:ea:tien_chi:Celestial_Servant.png?15&nolink}} | Commentary here. | ==== Other Spells and Items ==== === Combat === * **??Celestial Chastisement??**: (Evocation 5) {{path>S3}} \\ A gem-less version of ??Control??, inficts some damage and then takes control of the target. Only works against [[Magic Being]]s. A lot of good units are Magic Beings. === Ritual === * **??Internal Alchemy??**: (Alteration 5) {{path>W2S1}} and {{gems>10W}} \\ Reduces the caster's age by 15 years but has a chance to give the caster [[Insane|insanity]]. Your troop lineup is unlikely to get old unless hit with [[Decay]], but it is occasionally useful if you luck into a strong indie with the given paths. === Items === * **??Sword of the Five Elements??**: {{:nations:ea:tien_chi:Sword_of_the_Five_Elements.png?nolink}} (Construction 3) {{path>F1W1}} and {{gems>2F2W}} \\ Grants the user Reinvigoration and a lot of Attack and Defense. Useful on a Mage to protect himself and reduce [[Fatigue]]; because of the low price, you could mass-produce them to give to all of your Communion mages. Other weapons have better DPS effects. * **??Armor of the Five Elements??**: {{:nations:ea:tien_chi:Armor_of_the_Five_Elements.png?nolink}} (Construction 3) {{path>E1A1}} and {{gems>2E2A}} \\ Light but high-[[Protection|PROT]] armor that grants +4 HP plus minor resistance to Fire, Shock, Cold, and Magic. It's useful on thugs since the resistances it provides offer some survivability against a broad array of thug-killers (??Incinerate??, ??Lightning Bolt??, ??Frozen Heart??, ??Mind Burn??, etc.). == Discount Items == * **??Chi Shoes??**: {{:items:Chi_Shoes.png?nolink}} (Construction 3) {{path>A1}} and {{gems>4A}} \\ Provides the wearer with an additional attack per round. This is useful on high-strength units who can already get around quickly; unfortunately, your [[Flying]] Mages aren't that strong, while your Strong commanders aren't that mobile (or can't wear shoes). ===== Magic Access ===== T'ien Ch'i Magic is characterized by a wide-but-shallow spread of paths. For lower levels of [[Research]], this is pretty neat, since you'll be able to use almost any spell that isn't {{:misc:magic:blood.png?15&nolink}}[[Blood Magic]]. Later on, however, other nations will be able to take advantage of their higher-level path access, and you'll have to do some "ladder-climbing" with Summons and/or Items to catch up. The following is how to climb, barring Predender design, [[Empowerment]], Charm stealing, or PvP trade deals. {{:misc:magic:water.png?15&nolink}}**Water** is your deepest path by far, thanks to your ??Celestial Master#941??s and the relative ease of Boosting the path. You'll have a ??Robe of the Sea?? by Construction 5 & a ??Water Bracelet?? by Construction 7, allowing you to boost roughly a fourth of your Masters to **{{path>W5}}**, which will allow you to cast almost any pure-Water Combat Spell or Ritual you could think of. Expanding underwater will allow you to summon a ??Queen of Elemental Water?? at Conjuration 8, if it's not too late in the game, who will be able to use your Boosters to reach **{{path>W7}}** and cast all of those pure-Water Rituals you weren't able to cast beforehand. {{:misc:magic:glamour.png?15&nolink}}**Glamour** Your other deepest path. Celestial Masters can random {{path>G2}}, but your nature randomed 5-element mages can cast ??Contact Huli Jing?? at Conjuration 6. Every ??Huli Jing?? has {{path>N1G3}} with a 5 in 100 chance of {{path>G4}}. About 25% with Random an Earth, Getting boost boosters of ??Gossamer Veil?? (const 5) and ??Mirage Crystal?? (const 7), ending with a foxgirl with {{path>G5}}. {{:misc:magic:fire.png?15&nolink}}**Fire** is your second-easiest path to climb, unfortunately (that's not to demean Fire, but to demean how tough it is to climb other paths as this nation). A quarter of Celestial Masters will have {{path>F1D1}}, allowing you to Forge a ??Skull of Fire?? at Construction 7, which an {{path>F2}} Mage in your nation can use to get to {{path>F3}}. Though {{path>F3}} already gets you ??Fire Elemental??s and other cool stuff, the ladder doesn't end there; you can then cast ??Summon Flame Spirit?? at Conjuration 6 and equip your fresh ??Flame Spirit?? with the Skull, who will then be able to Forge a ??Flame Helmet?? and boost itself to **{{path>F5}}**. From there, you can summon a ??King of Elemental Fire?? and boost them to **{{path>F7}}**. {{:misc:magic:nature.png?15&nolink}}**Nature** is next. Each ??Master of the Five Elements?? has a 20% chance to have {{path>N2}}, allowing them to Forge a ??Thistle Mace?? at Construction 5 & ??Contact Huli Jing?? at Conjuration 6. Every ??Huli Jing?? has {{path>N1G3}}, Letting them summon ??Faery Queen??s at Conjuration 8 with a booster, and around (1-in-4?) (real percent?) of them have at least{{path>N2S1}}, allowing them to Forge a ??Moonvine Bracelet?? at Construction 6. With that, you have {{path>N5}}, allowing you to switch out the Thistle Mace for a ??Treelord's Staff?? and reach **{{path>N6}}** on a Faery Queen or ??Ivy King??. Alternatively, if you're focused entirely on Celestial Masters, 1-in-4 of them will have {{path>W2N1}} and will be able to ??Contact Naiad??s at Conjuration 5 with a booster or even no booster if you get lucky, allowing you to skip the green-shirted Masters. Though you cap out a little lower (on average) than with Water & Fire, at least you won't need to rush for Kings or Queens(?). {{:misc:magic:death.png?15&nolink}}**Death** is actually easier to ascend than the next three paths, despite the lowly stature of your Death Mages. The same Celestial Masters that have {{path>F1D1}} will also have {{path>W2D1}}, which can be Boosted to {{path>W4D1}} if you got a {{path>W3}} by the time you reached Construction 6. The Celestial Master of Death can then cast ??Streams from Hades?? at Conjuration 6 to secure a ??Kokythiad??, who will have {{path>D3}} and full equipment slots. You can then try to abuse the ??Twiceborn?? Ritual at Enchantment 4 to get a {{path>D4}} ??Wight Mage??, who will be able to craft the ??Skullface?? with a ??Skull Staff?? that she probably already crafted while she was alive, allowing you to graciously top out at **{{path>D6}}** with a little luck. If you're not willing to burn Water Gems to roll the dice (Twiceborn path-boosting has about a 20% chance of happening), however, you'll still have **{{path>D4}}** through the Kokythiad & her ??Skull Staff??. {{:misc:magic:earth.png?15&nolink}}**Earth** doesn't beget many avenues for climbing, but it's straightforward to climb. Each green-shirted or sword Master might have {{path>E2}} (20% chance) they can forge ??Earth Boots??, they can summon a ??Troll King's Court?? to get a natural {{path>E3}} Mage, the ??Troll King?? can wear Boots, and //presto//, **{{path>E4}}**. {{:misc:magic:astral.png?15&nolink}}**Astral** is unfortunately convoluted to climb, in spite of the Celestial insights. At least a fourth of your Celestial Masters will have {{path>S2}}, allowing them to Forge a ??Starshine Skullcap?? and reach {{path>S3}}. About 1/90 of them will have {{path>S3}} to start out with, but they're 4-point capital-only Mages, not exactly "spammable" for that random path. To climb higher, you'll need help from other paths: the ??Huli Jing?? has a small-but-not-insignificant chance of having {{path>E1S1}} and will be able to craft the ??Crystal Coin?? with the appropriate already-mentioned Boosters (a smaller portion might have {{path>E2S1}} or {{path>E1S2}}, boosting your {{path>S3}} Celestial Masters to **{{path>S4}}**. Roughly 1-in-12 of your Celestial Masters will have {{path>S2D1}}, and can be boosted to {{path>S4D1}} to open an ??Ether Gate?? for **{{gems>90S}}**, summoning an ??Ether Lord?? that always has {{path>S3D2}} and has a 1-in-4 chance of having {{path>S4}} to start out with, allowing you to reach either **{{path>S5}}** or **{{path>S6}}** depending on how lucky and/or loaded you are. If you get the {{path>S6}} and still have Astral Pearls to spare, you can craft the ??Ring of Sorcery?? to boost to **{{path>S7}}** (and/or to get **{{path>N7}}**/**{{path>N8}}** if you're lucky/**{{path>D7}}**) if you were also pushing the ladder on those), and then you can get the ??Ring of Wizardry?? with your remaining Astral savings to boost yourself in the Elements (**{{path>W8}}**, **{{path>F8}}**, & **{{path>E6}}**, if you have/can-still-get Royals) and Death (**{{path>D8}}**). That leaves {{:misc:magic:air.png?15&nolink}}**Air**; despite being a favorite secondary for your Mages, They can't get the Boosters they need. Realistically you are caped at more than 1 in 4 Celestial Masters being **{{path>A2}}** outside of battles, and 4 in 1000 being a **{{path>A3}}**. Late game With the ??Ring of Wizardry?? and a ??Staff of Elemental Mastery??, you get {{path>A4}} on a 1 in 4 Celestial Master, which lets you forge the ??Winged Helmet?? and then the ??Horn of Storms?? for **{{path>A5}}**, which can all be held by a ??Queen of Elemental Air?? (if you were fast enough to edge out the Air Nations in summoning one) for **{{path>A9}}**. If you can't wait & pay for Ether Lords, a Pretender with paths to forge Staff of ??Elemental Mastery?? and or Rings is a boon to your wide path cap mages. Also Celestial Masters or ??Huli Jing?? with boosters can cast ??Lore of Legends?? Boosting all thier paths at the cost of {{gems>20G}} for 1 turn, so use the most of that short time frame. =====See More===== //Add links to guides or other overviews for this nation here.// [[https://youtu.be/AW1USOQ3dMQ?si=rZ24ZVj5tJNxgqvh|How Zan Reviews a Nation, featuring EA TienChi Dom5]] by Zan [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hxMyciudaA|Dominions 6 EA T'ien Ch'i SIMPLIFIED]] by AO Reaper {{template>dom6:nationindex}} {{tag>nation ea-nation}}