Help on SC's

[Beasley]

It's been awhile since playing, but wondered generally what equipment was generally considered viable for SC's, and how SC dynamics have changed since Dom2.

For equipment, I used to use blood thorns for my rank and file thugs/SC's but read somewhere that their reinvigoration and life drain dynamics were changed. Beyond that, I figure it's lucky pendant/lucky coin for luck (critical), antimagic amulet, starshine skullcap, and ring of regen as basics. Boots of the messenger have been thrown out as great for reinvig, but I'd be tempted to take boots of flying, especially for Earth magic thugs/SC's who can substitute summon earthpower for the same effect. What about armor - is robe of etherealness or etherealness in general worth a salt? Is there a good combo to get protection over 30 (and does this matter, say, against high strength units who hit like bricks)? Any other must have items to mix in?

For the dynamics, I am aware that defense became less critical since it gets knocked down by 2(?) for each attacker in a given round, meaning hordes of small guys are going to get through. Presumably luck and maybe etherealness come in to play, but so does high protection and parry values. Has this materially changed SC strategies in ways not reflected in the equipment mix questions above?

Thanks for the primer in advance. I do realize some chassis are much better than others, and am targeting this towards mid-level chassis (EA purchasables like Niefels, ice/arch/helio devils, etc)... at least I think these are "mid-level". I'd also love to get a perspective on SC/thug applications in the answer e.g. A is good for PD of any kind, but B is what you want if you want to smash small-mid raiding forces.