[PvK]

HoneyBadger, I like your post, but consider that especially in Middle Era, the Pale Ones are really designed for use underwater. Consider using a morningstar (i.e. mace & chain) and a large shield _underwater_, compared to using a spear and buckler.

And again to everyone who looks at MA small Pale Ones and never tries using them, try recruiting a 2-4 turns of them and sending them into the ocean. In sufficient numbers, they can do well against independents underwater, allowing you to be a semi-decent underwater nation from the start of the game, which of course is a major national advantage unless you don't start anywhere near available seas.