ZYbr, why are you acting like a little child? If you need an entire squad, just combine them before the battle, and that's it. And it's also better to add the summoned creatures; otherwise, if there aren't many of them, they might die. And that's perfectly normal!
You definitely change artifacts. Some are good on the map, while others are better in battle. Or, for example, you have a special battle coming up, and you have something that fits the situation. The same goes for summoners.
I didn't quite understand what you meant, although it probably refers to the first part.
I disagree that people summon too little. People only summon few elementals (one every two days). A level 2 summon provides two level 1 units (a fairy, a wolf, or a leprechaun). A level 3 summon provides one tiger, elf, or satyr every two days. A level 4 summon provides one of them, but every day. And a level 5 summon provides an elemental. That's not little; what else are you going to do while wandering around the map? You can also find artifacts later...
Regarding elementals, one every two days isn't much, but it's a great addition to the elementals from the portal, in my opinion. They are almost level 3 monsters.
P.S. I want to try all this now, it's a pity I don't have a video recorder, but I'll try to do it during work hours:D I need to get used to Nature:)

Барон "Vampires"
Отдай свои прошлые сны,
В сомненьях себя обрети,
В бешеном танце душа кружится!
Не думай, что будет потом,
Здесь и сейчас мы живем,
Стань хоть на миг сам собой, слышишь!