Play as Inferno.

Inferno is a faction that defines the player's skill level. It's only for hardcore players (I'm not considering noobs who rely on ballista tactics, as demons can still play well without them). But you need to know how to play them. It's not like picking a fun hero like Hafiz or someone else that people like, may he rest in peace - Vittorio (not only do they have machines, but their shots also hit directly) - Kaspar or Tilseck/Hagesh. In my opinion, machines are made for noobs who want to dominate. Although, even here, demons are unlucky, as they have fewer creatures compared to other factions. Unfortunately. It would be great if there was a creature with an ability like "Great Shield," but as it is, it's not very fun (especially if the opponent decides to block the ranged units, and you can't counterattack with a surprise attack. It's amusing when you pick a demon (not Deleb) on a medium-sized map just for fun, and immediately one of those "skilled" players appears. The build is always the same: ballista, fire arrows, and whatever else you want (mages don't need much, but they don't need it). (Necropolis is also not quite the same). Only masochists or very hardcore players play as demons, because the faction is very difficult and depends a lot on luck (whether you get druids or forest archers in the mines, whether you get the right skill, etc. - this is if you play without machines). Of course, enduring melee damage and healing two units with a gate is not as fun as running around giggling and shooting everything. Here, it's a constant source of stress, losses are frequent, and even a small mistake (especially when playing Utopia) leads to defeat. So, I strongly advise all beginners and those who like easy games (and winning) not to choose this faction. Your destiny is the ballista, so accept it. (Well, maybe someone will eventually learn to run around with invisible hunters and cast spells from behind, but there aren't many of them). P.S. For the local "imbas," the "Deadly Cold" ability kills a ballista with one hit when used on it with any ice spell (even if it's only level 1 magic). I suggest you brush up on the theory. (P.P.S. I'm just venting). Responding to a private message: the argument that the ballista is designed for a demon with its stats, and therefore machines are a must-have. In principle, I can't disagree that machines are extremely important for demons to get a good start (but I repeat, you can still play normally without them). And if we're being honest, the developers clearly don't like Inferno. So, to get "Fire Arrows" (a skill that is extremely necessary for the ballista, as it ignores defense, and also adds a small amount of damage - 50), you have to take too many skills (which other fun factions don't have; they just need shooting skills, and that's it). But demons also need "Hellfire" (the usefulness of which is debatable) to get "Triple Shot," then "Curse," (which is a must-have for demons anyway), but to get those "Fire Arrows," you also need "Berserk" and "Devil's Strike." In general, to fully develop machines with a fast-firing ballista/tent (by the way, for me, the tent is more important than the ballista, as it minimizes losses) and "Fire Arrows" (and to have a fully developed gate), you need to reach level 17. That's only two branches developed. On short maps, this is very unhealthy. And then (Curse is slightly weaker than "Barbarian Might" because it doesn't have a chance to deal double damage. But a barbarian (Kragg in particular) with "Barbarian Might," his ability (+100% damage at level 20), and "Devil's Strike" (also double damage) deals about 800 damage to archdevils in one attack (with all procs). That is, if you have 10 of them, you immediately lose 3. I'm saying this because it would be much more effective and easier to play as a demon if "Curse" had that ability, as this ability greatly simplifies their lives (by the way, few "true players" take it. Why, it remains a mystery to me. Maybe I just don't know the techniques for playing as demons)