[Zywack]

I got a question regarding that list, actually. I agree on that list, but there's one I like to use (against AIs, mind) that I've never seen mentionned in any thugging topic: the Roc. The Shishi is mentionned extremely often, but the Roc never is and I'm not sure what I'm missing.

It has the same conjuration level as the Shishi, the same magic requirements and same gem cost (half the cost, but you have 2 shishi per cast so equal beside 1 mage turn). It also has 2 to 3 in Air magic, an innate Fear built in, it flies and it has a stupidly high map movement (5) alongside some immunities and resistances. Since it flies so fast and can also Cloud Trapeze, I find it excels at raiding and being able to return alive afterward. Plus, they can also be used as mobile castle destroyer where needed due to their insane Siege bonus (especially if equipped with a Wall Shaker).

I realize that the Shishi has bonuses against magic beings, markedly higher protection and more is effective on mage-time, but while I do like the Shishi, overall I'm finding the Roc more useful overall. Since I keep hearing about Shishi everywhere but never about the Roc, I assume I'm missing something of importance about the Shishi...


Edit: Regarding national summons, I can't say I played the right nations for that yet beside Jomon (which is already listed) so I won't give my input on that. However, I did find the Eriu recruitable commanders to be absolutely amazing thugs. Incredibly inexpensive and extremely effective with a minimal amount of gear. Mind, I did play them with a 9 Earth bless and I always paired two together, but the amount of damage they can do is mind-blowing considering the investment. The Thuata commanders are probably reserved as thunder strikers, but one with 2 Earth and well-geared can be used to crush extremely heavy opposition. The only flaw I saw was the very low max HP: a major flaw to be sure, but... They are definitively worth checking out in my opinion.