some balance questions

[Pocus]

the Pythium battle deacon rose in price, from 80 to 90 gp. I wonder what motivated the change?

Can someone tell me how he is supposed to be used by the way? A prot 12 priest is fine, but I prefer a theurg mage/priest for the same price, any time.

I would have though, on the contrary, that he would be tweaked down to the 50-60 range (compare it to an indep priest, not armored, but costing 40).