[NooBliss]

I remember reading something about Shishi killing fully equipped Raksharajas, please correct me if I'm wrong. For just 15 air, I wouldnt call that 'too weak'.

They only have 3 misc slots, true. But its almost like they have all the items built-in. 3 magical attacks per round and a base atack score of 17 - roughly an equivalent of a magical two-hander. Quite comparable to wave breaker, I think. Protection 20 and two immunities - thats better than most armors and helms can give, with zero encumberance as a bonus. Always quickened means they have built-in boots of speed.
You cant customise them much, thats the problem. Still, thats a fully equipped (except misc slots) thug who can cast cloud trapeze, mirror image and mistform for just 15 air gems, summoned in pairs to save mage-time. I dont mind, really, I am looking forward to using them myself. But they shine so much, they eclipse most other summons. Dont you agree?

Oh, by the way. In SP I just killed about 60 Sauromatian Cataphracts and 30 androphag archers with one male Shishi, equipped with a pendant of luck and a girdle of might. Looks like mortal troops cant kill Shishis - they make absolutely great thugs, almost SCs in my opinion.