volcano island issues

Hello,

 I realize that most people who post here, have already completed Totem Tribe. However, I am now stuck on volcano island, after getting all 3 swords, 3 ice inscriptions which combined helped me build snipers and the needed new technologies to fight the deadly shade. Even with this and the combined power of the idol powers (Idol of war and Idol of Protection), I cannot destroy the shade. The only thing I can see missing is I don't have enough pieces to get the 3rd and final idol at the upper northeast corner. Other than that, I am at a loss as to how to complete this level. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I have tried this level 3 times now and don't know what other strategy to use. Thanks for anyone's help!

Do you have the Shamens yet?  If so build only 1 soldiers barracks, one hunters hovel, one archery range and all the rest should be shamen, squeeze every bit of spare space to build as many as you can. Make sure you have plenty of witchdoctors. 

I assume you mean the shaman hut, that a player gets after giving the 3 swords from the skeletons? I fought all the skeletons for the hut and gave 6 lava stones for the other updated archery range. Do you think it matters that I don't have the 3rd idol at the top northeast corner? If so, I don't know where the other obsidian pieces are that would allow me access to it!

Which Idols do you have - ?  and yes I was talking about the Shamen tents.  Also - if I remember correctly the Shade is hidden behind a wall of "mountains on one side and the beach on the other.  If that is the case then start attacking the shade with just the power ups (for want of a better word) that you get from the Idols before you send your army in. 
I have just downloaded it again and am going to start playing tomorrow (its 4.20am here) so hopefully I can help you a bit more when I  refresh my mind.

Thanks! Although it sounds like you are saying you really need to have all 3 idols before attacking the shade? I have the Idol of War and The Idol of Protection. I don't know what the idol is called at the upper northeast corner, sorry! In any case, I have a problem because I have checked every inch of that island except the shade area for obsedians that would be needed to get power from that last idol that I cannot get at the upper northeast side of the island. Thanks again for your help. Hopefully with enough input I can finally get through this level. Super frustrating level! I guess it would not make sense to hide obsedian pieces in the great fight area where the shade is, because you would want to power up all 3 idols before making an attack in that area!

I figured out Volcano island. Now I am stuck on Shark Archipelago. I have got to third island, (Yellow island),but although I have watched the walkthrough of how to find the second valve near the tree, it is not there in my version! I restarted the level by accident. Is it possible the second valve could be somewhere else. Cannot find it!