cheapest summonable thug

[Fantomen]

Originally Posted by WingedDog

This is not an RPG, where your "pet" must have the best equipment and no empty slots - this is a wargame and you need to get maximum efficiency for minimal cost. Yes, bola would have a better range, yes it would hit opponent harder, but it is still a missile weapon and could be deflected by a shield, or countered by air shield.
Besides very next turn same abysians could cast Fire Storm, or, if enemy has strong death - darkness with hordes of undead, or airdrop few thugs, or SC with Solar Brilliance, etc. Result the same: commanders with fire bolas end up dead, because they are expendable units, and doubling the cost of expendable unit is a waste of gems.

Baalz had written a very good guide about choosing the right equipment for thugs: http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/showthread.php?t=41970
I recomend you to read it if you didn't - it really helped me at some point of understanding the game.

Gee, I'm not misunderstanding the nature of the game. I have read Baalz thugging guide and I understand those points very well. I don't advocate it because it is some favourite hangup of mine, I do it because I happened to found it very effective early on in some MP games as EA Agartha(with Ancient lords) and Machaka(sleepers). I say a little strength bonus is often what makes the bolas worth it, simple as that.