[Lazy_Perfectionist]

Winter Wolves, claymen... wouldn't mass them in place of nationals. However, with certain nations, I often summon them.

As Agartha, it is sometimes easier to mass Claymen than it is your infantry. As MA Agartha, they step up in value, thanks to bonus hitpoints. I wouldn't consider them 'elite', but they're good enough to replace the nationals I don't have enough resources to get.

As Late Era Atlantis, and other water nations, I suppose, they make an excellent light cavalry for a nation without any. I make a point of having Winter Wolves in any army I expect to win by either a large margin or by breaking the enemy's morale via Wailing Wind or Fear. I have them set to hold and attack rear and bring down any runners.

If the enemy's running at the end of a lengthy battle, chances are they have enough fatigue for a pack of winter wolve's chill to knock them out cold, making them even easier to rip to shreds.

In my opinion, a lot of the value of summons is dependent on the nation. For instance, EA & MA Agartha have little use for Siege Golems. And while man and Ctis have little use for Winter Wolves, Atlantis almost needs them, unless they get good independents in a good resource province.