Re: Spell: Telestic Animation
 

I will use it on occasion, but only in coastal provinces adjacent to a water nation capital. Usually only when I'm playing Bandar Log with its weak priests and astral available. And maybe one or two coastal provinces away if the water nations domain is quite high. Other than that quite limited niche, it doesn't appear to have any real value that I can see.

Re: Spell: Telestic Animation
 

It can also be a quick defense against undead hordes, and the H2 is more powerful than your typical H1 preist. Also, if those hordes are backed by frighten or terror, the Sermon of Courage is handy. It can be used against MA Ermor, as well as by MA Ermor.

Like so many spells in the game, it has a place, but it is not for every nation and every game.

Re: Spell: Telestic Animation
 

I don't think they will. Ermor and other undead nations can summon undead with all their priests, so yes, it'll work for them. Pangaea though needs undead priests to summone manikins, their regular priests can't.