1. Depends on the target. If they are heavily armored, blade wind isn't that good. If lightly armored, it rocks. Play Vanheim sometime, and have a Dwarven Smith use it on a province full of militia
2. For a mid-level summon, lots of hit points, lots of skill, and the right path for quickness and Breath of Winter. If an Ice Devil is a "decent warrior", what's a great warrior?