[Belcarl]

I dont have acess to the manual right now, but isnt Firbolg 10N gems and no resistances? So the banes should have a higher survival rate, and being cheaper. Except against nasty anti-undead spells. Low level banish is usually resisted though.

The thunderbow gives a slight precicion bonus, and I havent noticed any arrows going astray unless my banes need to hit something inside a castle. If that is a problem, and you dont have acess to nature magic, putting an eye of aiming on them should work.

Scrap the thunderbow, get an eye of aiming and the soulkilling crossbow (999 damage every second turn if it hits) and you got yourself a commander killing thug. Here the Firbolg would probably be better, since one will always be shooting at long ranges.

The demon whip, gleaming shield (the one that gives awe) and something that gives fireresistant. Is a good combo to clear low hp chaff with a Thug that has decent hp and protection. A charcoal shield could work, but then you would need to put regen on your thug since he is more likely to get hit.