[Xavier]

I like the Vamp Queen, if you give her at least a point of water and preferably one of earth as well. Then research Alteration 2 (quickness and stoneskin - Alt. 3 for Ironskin) and she can take out virtually any indie in her dominion on her own.

I quite like the dragons too, but you have to be more carefull because they can accumulate afflictions. I was testing a green dragon as a pythium pretender (SP) recently and he lost both eyes in like his second fight.... That's what you get for letting yourself get surrounded by heavy infantry. I find using the breath attack before engaging the enemy really helps (they break and rout sooner). That and casting personal regeneration before the fight.