[Songs of Conquest] Loth Mission 4 Overwhelming

Heard some complaints that this mission is too hard and that it's impossible to defeat Rana on this map, so I made this video.

Foreword:
Hillar is mediocre because his access to Essence Shield is bad. He needs Guard (which requires Melee) or Positioning (which requires Archery) both prerequisites also require Combat Training in order to have a chance to be offered Essence Shield. So his skill tree to be a fighter is abysmal. That's why I make him an economy wielder in mission 2. Levy is really good and you need one of the precious resource producing skills to get it. The fastest way to get them is to pick Destruction Magic since that unlocks Crafty Spiders which unlocks the rest. Just reset mission 2 until you have Levy. Command does not need to be that highly leveled, I just always rolled Destruction Magic in mission 2.

Magnolia's special skill is additional troop movement, which is really good. In mission 2, she starts at level 7 with Order Magic 2 and Taxes 3. You are guaranteed Brutal or Levy on her, both are good, Brutal makes early fights easier, so I pick that. Afterwards, make sure to grab level 1 Combat Training when offered (this unlocks Essence Shield at 16) and level 1 Magic Resistance (as a back-up if you don't get Essence Shield). Get Order 3 and maybe Magic Resistance 2, else level Command (you will want 7 or 8 when starting mission 4).

Mission 4 notes:
-The siege in the beginning can be done with fewer losses if the ballista shoots at the Scavenged Bones on turn 2 (they always focus rats on turn 1). Not sure how it makes that decision, seems random. The Scavenged Bones will just tank the hit and be fine.

-In the Dreath fight to the north of your base, it is key that you produce 7 Arcana Essence per round. You need that to repel, else you will lose some skellibros.

-Barya was unusually hard, probably because my way there got delayed by losing all my Necros in the siege fight (that has never happened before), so I had to get the free ones next to the Monastery. And that battlefield in the Aleah fight was just miserable.

-Instead of going south towards the Amber Excavation, you can also just push the small settlement to the north instantly. Then build a rally point there and go get the free Necros and resupply and push the Dragons. It's 2 or 3 rounds faster, but the Dragon fight is very tricky, afterwards you are ok.

-After Barya is dead, get the amazing Dagger of Rage (damage boost), you can then choose to go back and push north from the small settlement or continue through the forest.

-To the very east of the forest (where the Faey Ragers are) is a portal with some free Legions if you want (they are not necessary, but good to have).

-Library of Aurelia first, stack size upgrades for Legionnaires only cost 5 Amber and you also want the Order and Arcana Essence boost. Get Forum before you encounter Rana.

-Rik-Tap is the only Rana wielder I have respect for on that map, the rest are push-overs.

Mild spoiler for the Barya campaign:
It is important to note that using Magnolia as a main will make the last mission of the Barya song harder as she will spawn there in the state you finished with her on Loth 4. You can unequip all items to make it easier, but it will still be a hard fight since she is a competent wielder.