Reputation skills.

I wasn't basing my opinion on how cool the skills themselves are, but on how cool the skills become when enhanced. And as a result: Tears are always preferable.
Because the mage has the strongest spells – summoning elementals (Tears).
And warriors really like the "Predator" skill, which lasts 3 rounds with Tears, instead of the usual 1. But the best Blood skills: "Hero Strike with Squad" and "Extra Turn after Killing" aren't significantly enhanced by Blood...

Hero strike with the squad? A second strike after killing the first enemy squad? Why are these considered the strongest?

Increasing ranged damage, especially for Orcs and Necropolises, is a more useful feature. Add water magic and bonus water damage to it, and you're golden! And both of these benefit from Blood. You can also take Vampirism, which is also Blood – and you heal immediately... although you might not even need to heal then. ;) Plus Heroism.

Or, for Inferno, give the dogs or their big guys 20% damage + for each cell they move before the attack, and do it across the map! :smile30: And then add an extra turn after the kill. And again, across the entire map! How can "Hero Strike with Squad" compare to that? I haven't taken it even once, to be honest.:rolleyes:

As for the topic: Inferno and Orcs – Blood. Everything is focused on attack!
Necropolises too (3 ranged attackers plus life drain)
Humans – defensive, so Tears are better for them. Divine Armor and a lot of healing.
Naga – both are good, but the Naga Tears ability is simply super strong.