Why isn't X ethereal?

[Sombre]

I think you can cite a myth to support just about anything regarding vampires. It depends which myths we're following and how we apply them in the game.

For example: Regarding prot 20 vs the myth of the stake in the heart - most of the time the staking is supposed to be done to a prone vampire body, one sleeping or who has already been incapacitated. Therefore a critical hit, perhaps against an unconscious foe. Therefore one that bypasses protection.

I think most of us agree that the vampire thrall summon is underpowered. You can fix this by making it cheaper, making it easier to cast, making it summon more vamps or by improving the vamps in some way. I personally think vampire thralls should be better, because vampires (even thralls)are generally regarded as dangerous, strong and resilient. They aren't in the game. They lose to light infantry, pretty much. So natural prot increase would help in that regard.