Need help with obelisk reward choice
 

So, I'm torn between choosing the 30 runes (10 of each might, magic, and mind) or the Mithril Shield (+8 defense, -20% leadership for dwarves.) What did/would you guys pick, and why?

Who cares about mind runes, but with 10 extra might and magic runes, I can pretty much max out every ability I want at level 22. However, over the course of the last 2 or 3 level ups, I have accumulated about the same amount of runes... so these may come naturally.

8 Defense is godly though... but is it worth it for a mage? I dont have any dwarves in my army and have no interest in obtaining them so I dont care about that additional stat ...but 8 defense is a crazy stat! Equivalent to 8 levels (if you pick +1 defense each time... if you're even given the opportunity.) The best shield I've run across so far only has +3 defense by comparison.

I went for the runes as a Paladin. I wouldn't discount mind runes. Sure they don't seem useful at first glance but reserves, trophies, tolerance, and trade are useful in the later levels fo the game.

Get the dwarf wife so you can wear 2 shields, then use a dwarf-heavy army. Put the dragon protection shield to the other slot (it's like 6 def, -50% from dragons). :)

Haven't tried it myself yet tho.

I think there are a few worthy skills on Mind, but I'm playing on normal and don't really see the value of those gold making skills. I already have 2/2 Reserve, might go for full 3/3 Glory and Tolerance as I've recently liked using necromancers and might be getting some demons soon for my army. I usually use Red, Green, and Black Dragons with my other 2 slots switching between Necros, Shaman, Cyclops, Royal Thorns, and possibly some demons soon. Only the shaman seem to be affected by negative morale so I don't know if I want to fully invest in it yet.

8 defense would be nice so im leaning that way because I already have the skills I really want. Only problem is that shields can be replaced and I'll be kicking myself if I find a better shield whereas extra skills pay long term dividends. I already completed the elven part so I may be nearing the end of the game though and this all may be moot.

Hmm.. where do you get that Dragon protection shield? I hate the dwarf guys lol! Only decent one is the canoneers I think.

This is just guess. I have no real knowledge on this. Does morale of shamans matter at all? At least I only use their special abilities and I don't think morale has any effect on those? Sure their defense will also suffer but at least for me enemy rarely targets my shamans. I always keep them in back row since range doesn't matter with special abilities.

Reg. Dragon shield
 

you get that from Demon world ....

As usual, it's random :(
On my first round through, I got it from just about the last chest of the game. Now THAT is lucky.

can that mithril dwarfen shield be combiened with the dwarf weapon u get from dwarfen king wich also have -% leadership for dwarf so u get -15%+-20% to a total of -35% leadership cost ?

anyone have both and can check?

The King's Hammer, the reward from the drawven king for concluding the peace treaty, is -10% leadership for dwarves. Do you mean this weapon or is there another one? In any event, the leadership bonues do indeed stack--the shield and the result in a -30% leadership for dwarves.