[Jasper]

I agree, the Shedu's Astral makes him in practice too expensive, especially considering he can't use most items and so is only effective early on. Unfortunately his relatively low 9 protection also hambers him early, until you've researched at least Iron Skin. IMHO the Shedu is impotent and expensive.

Luck and Body Ethereal are nice, but those can be cast on you by another mage, or easily attained through items. Astral Shield is quite nice however (especially since Paralyzation is broken!), although I'm not sure whether Astral Weapon works with Trampling.

If the Shedu cost 100 and had Air instead of Astral, it might be ok. It would be much cheaper without the need to invest in high Astral, and stronger by adding access to Mist Form, Mirror Image, and Resist Lightning.