Don't get me wrong the gnome tactic is a little slow going, its basically just wearing Spirus down, but it does work and the turrets really do the work on him. can usually get 2-3 repairs in over the fight (normally 2 then spirus dies and your gnomes left to build at least one turret for River).
I only said I was logging tonight :P hehe. Too much to do today, Sleep will come later!