Which creatures from the alternative upgrade options do you choose?

If alternative riders dealt full damage, I wouldn't take them.

What do you mean?:confused: In fact, double damage would be great, and the others would take a beating, it would be super. But as it is, a quarter of the damage is useless, I agree.
Regarding the mages:
1. I prefer the old ones, but it makes sense to take the new ones if you're playing against the AI.
2. If Chaos is present, take the new ones, if not, take the old ones.
3. See 2
4. Here, the old ones clearly rule. Fireball deals more damage at the beginning, and besides, it's quite realistic for a mage with his shop to collect 2 items from Sar-Issa, which will further enhance the fireball. Battle mages also have less health (by 1, but still:)), so it makes sense to take them if you already have a lot of mages.
5. I take Viziers because you know exactly what the effect of their ability will be, unlike Sultans – you don't know what spell will be cast. Besides, Djinns are a rather weak unit, while Viziers have more health and magic resistance.
6. I don't even know, it depends a lot on the spells. Kshatras are great with Heavenly Shield and Haste, they are even better with Vampirism. In general, if the opponent has low initiative, take the new ones, if not, take the old ones.
7. New ones 100%, the stats are the same, but the cloud is more effective.