Re: Making something out of nothing (Can you turn this into a Thug?)
 

Thanks for spider research. But this latter causes a question. Do you mean that mummy will retain assassin ability? Or what?

Re: Making something out of nothing (Can you turn this into a Thug?)
 

No.

One of the reasons that I like mummies is that they have a disease cloud. The assassins wield bane blades, which cause decay.

When you are diseased, and hit with decay, it not only ages you, but causes hp loss. The assassins are dual wielding bane weapons.

Additionally, virtually all machaka wizards can cast fever - a spell usually overlooked.

Of course these spells are only suitable early game... but its pretty easy for machaka to get penetration

Re: Making something out of nothing (Can you turn this into a Thug?)
 

When the assassin gets mummified I think it loses the Bane weapons. So can't you just put a Bane Blade on any old mummy?

Re: Making something out of nothing (Can you turn this into a Thug?)
 

Yeah I don't follow this logic either.

Re: Making something out of nothing (Can you turn this into a Thug?)
 

Another one - a Midgard (LA Vans) Galderman (skinshifter mage) - using only national mages for making equipment? I know they are primarily tough battlefield mages, but... ;)
My own thought is along a line of either Shroud (with E/N bless) or Rainbow armor, either some reinvigoration boots or Winged, plus some reinvigoration amulet. I'm not sure about whether to take pair of shields and Shock Wave spam or some weapon.

Re: Making something out of nothing (Can you turn this into a Thug?)
 

Dai Tengu, or any of the new Jomon Summons. And the Monk... Oh it would awesome to turn one of those monks into a Thug. Which every path pick.

Re: Making something out of nothing (Can you turn this into a Thug?)
 

Galderman has regeneration and air, so should make a workable thug with mistform and some reinvig item.

Stats are a bit low in human form though, I think the main problem here is that your vanjarls are better thugs so you'll rather spend your gems on them instead. If you get lucky with gems or get the forge up than maybe galdermen could see some thug use.

Edit: On second thought the galdermen might be as good or better than vanjarls if you go for a non-bless strategy and great scales. With skinshifter bodyguards used in groups with little or no equipment.

Re: Making something out of nothing (Can you turn this into a Thug?)
 

Yes, I see it. Main problem with Vanjarls in LA is that they are capital-only. So that they aren't enough for all thug duties. I think about using Jarls for raiding and Galdermen for army support, or something like this. Plus, Galdermen have foot slot, making them useful flying thugs. And Vans are your only national priests in LA, too - so Vanjarls get an additional set of duties, too, for their small numbers.

Re: Making something out of nothing (Can you turn this into a Thug?)
 

Dai Tengu is a good thug with just Summon Earthpower and Mistform - which he can cast. Any bless helps, of course. Any Tengu bodyguards help, too - depending on his duties. The problem with he is that he's more useful as battlefield mage able to cast most army buffs. Other summons I didn't test, but may do soon.
Monks have too poor stats for thugs and can't have bodyguards. But they are useful as front-line casters. So, in addition to your Master Shukenja prophet you should use them from among your troops. Say, put them right next to some commander having 10+ bodyguards, give them some shields - depending on gems you have, and penetration boosters for Fire and Earth ones. Then spam Signs. Water ones should probably run forward and cast Freezing touch - or just stay at home. Nature ones gain level and then should spam any Nature spells you have researched.