The Taoist Sorcerer is the Merlin of Chinese armies in Empires: Dawn of the Modern World. Capable of calling upon volcanoes, force of air to stun enemies, and heal nearby troops, the Sorcerer is a powerful addition to any army although by himself, he is very weak.
Powers[]
- Heal: Restore health to an injured or damaged unit.
- Volcano: Causes a volcanic eruption which rains firey, molten rock on the surrounding area. 200 power.
- Petrify: Petrifies units with fear for a short time, making them immobile. 75 power.
Description[]
Taoism is the belief in the path, or the way (Tao), embracing the natural balance, the need for good and evil, light and dark. The Tao is a force that permeates the universe, and has to be experienced to be understood; as the first cause of creation, the Tao is the ultimate source of everything. While Taoist priests have no real concept of deities or a personified God, most Taoists believe wholeheartedly in a world of spirits, good and ill. People who can tap into this spirit world, and influence or control the actions of these quasi-divine entities, are Taoist Sorcerers. A powerful sorcerer, it is said, can touch the very essence of life. For centuries, Taoism was an integral part of China in peace and war. Taoist Sorcerers played an important role in the popular mind, especially in times of conflict. The alluring appeal of Taoism as a philosophy helped spread Chinese culture and hegemony; many a competing society fell under the sway of Taoist doctrines and "go with the flow" beliefs. China was powerful; the proper "Tao" was to acknowledge that fact and concede victory. So powerful was this belief system that rumors grew up of Taoist Sorcerers, who could call on the forces of nature and tap into the essences of the spirits who pervaded the dark and light of the world.
Thus in Empires, the Taoist Sorcerer can wield forces beyond those of the mundane battlefield. Calling on the spirits of earth, he can call upon volcanoes to erupt, spitting boulders that crash into enemy troops and wreak havoc in their ranks. He can summon the forces of air, and paralyze enemy forces with fear, rendering them helpless. And tapping into the life force of the Tao, he can heal friendly units of their injuries. Though fragile, and with no real physical power of his own, the Taoist Sorcerer is a powerful addition to the Chinese armies, a potential game-winning unit if properly used. Not a cheap unit, its worth is reflected in its versatility and its ability to change the course of an otherwise chancy battle.
In the minds of medieval Chinese warriors, the Taoist Sorcerers commanded tremendous respect and authority. Believing as they did in the reality of spirits and demons, many natural phenomena were felt to be manifestations of divine or infernal power. Men who could channel those forces-or who appeared to do so-could contribute mightily to Chinese victories. Likewise, in Empires, Sorcerers give the Chinese an edge that clever players can use to great effect.[1]
Strengths[]
Able to use special powers.
Weaknesses[]
Countered by any unit.
See also[]
References[]
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