Thanks for the input guys. I will definitely try the Hypnotise/Sacrifice combo but there is a part of me that is wondering why I should spend my spells fiddling about like this when I could just nuke the enemy.
But we'll see.
About leaving trading and trophies alone - well, I am undecided. I do know that Mind runes are a big problem for a Mage, they just don't seem to be as prevalent as Might runes on the adventure map. I know some people might have millions left over on Impossible but I only had 500,000 left at the end on my Hard Mage game, and I've relied on Trading 3 in the past to get full value from selling items. I had to put a point into Glory which was annoying because it's quite expensive. But I am thinking that I might not bother with Order Magic at all - I barely used it in my last game. Basically, I have played this game without using Resurrect/Sacrifice at all, and then read about other players who seem to use them all the time.
About heading into other areas quickly and leaving easy enemies alone, I will consider this. In terms of not losing many troops, I think I am coming to the end of my ability to do this effectively with my Fireball 1/Horsemen charge. I got to level 5 no problem but there are plenty of enemies in Verlon Forest who are going to take some troops (i.e. money) off of me. I just got Magic Pole Axe from a quest, but I would prefer to get Ghost Blade before killing the big turtle. I don't think I can avoid Order altogether but I think I might only put one point into it.
But the idea of picking up everything that can be looted in Freedom Islands is a good one. There are heaps of things you can get there without fighting at all. Obviously it will be necessary to kill the Kraken and King James in order to get to Kordar at all.
Then I will see if I can get into Demonis to find some Demon Portals.
