Why do you play as the Academy?

I love mages for everything – their appearance, animations (especially the Titans), and mini-arts. I especially enjoy leveling up on large maps where you can raise your knowledge to the skies and collect artifacts that boost initiative. I play Haven with light magic; chaos doesn't suit them; it's for the Dark Elves (whom I only like for their 5th Circle Blast spell with luck and chain lightning – my record is 226 Titans with a single spell).

Haven with artifacts and mini-arts that boost initiative is very, very cool, especially when the Titans' initiative becomes 25+, and Rakshasas' becomes 45+).

What resistance do gargoyles remove?

The alternative upgrade increases the damage of magic on units standing on adjacent squares, and it also boosts the leader's stats.