You make good points about the damane not being able to shield linked AS.

You probably recall the scene in KoD where the seafolk windfinders link to take Birgitte outside the walls of Caemlyn to rescue Elayne. In that scene, the black ajah sisters (there are something like 7 or 8 of them) are using the one power. The seafolk are linked. I specifically remember the quote saying that it was not an even fight because the seafolk were linked. In other words, NONE of the black ajah, individually, could stop the windfinders from shielding herself.

So I agree with you that linking gives the AS a huge advantage. While EVERY shield the damane throw at a linked group of AS will fail, EVERY shield the AS use against the damane will succeed. It is like when the 13 sisters kidnap Rand in LoC. Rand was powerless to stop them. The AS should go on the offensive and simply gate into Ebou Dar with a hundred groups of 13 women linked, and shield every last damane they see, and capture/execute all the sul'dam. The AS could easily win if they attack now.

The Seanchan dealt a blow to the AS, but I'd like to see the AS fight back with at least a semblance of tactical flare. Egwene has over 2000 channelers at the tower now. She should use them.