[Eressil3]

I agree. The sea king is good but the sea trolls aren't. Bad defense, bad attack. Their only strength lie in their life points so they're good for making a front line wall and that's all.

I don't like Ice drakes (they are routing to much IMO).
Winter wolves can be useful, depending of what you're facing : don't use them if your opponent can crush through their etheralness with magic weapons or spells.

I'm not an expert at all, but found the water nations good at the start since you're not so likely rushed. It can be, but it's less likely. I mean it's easier to negociate a NAP with one or two players than with 3 or 4 players... Sometimes you're even alone underwater.
But indeed, you pay this advantage later when you want to put your feet (fish tail ?) on land...

Designing a pretender with something else than water magic may be the key to get effective land summons. Or your may rely on indie mage.