These guys are one of my favorites out there, so this is my opinion:
2
Ulitharid:
3 | 4 (5?)
: Psionic Wave
- The life boost is a great thing by itself, helps a
lot to survive. The current attack power increase is really a drawback in practice (the same would go for the chrys, but at least it adds up with poison), as it was mentioned before, it makes him vulnurable to all shield effects,
but I believe it was intended this way, just like mind flayer is vulnurable to all unupgraded shields, probably for balancing out the powerful ability it has.
The strength of the Mind Flayer is that it comes out before the various other critters that could kill it, and it removes the abilities that would kill it -- so it 'wins the race'. Ulitharid is less so, and the +1|+2 it gains for being upgraded doesn't deserve the increase in cost that goes along with it. So, my vote is to knock it down to a 2 cost and otherwise leave it alone. That would be fully appropriate.
So I must fully agree with Essence here: It's purpose is not to hit, just to come out fast, and suck up all the skills (brains) the enemy throws at you before they can use them. But that 1point cost increase makes this much harder than it looks. And comparing with other unupgraded-upgraded creatures, this +1 cost is not even necessary.
And if you think of it.. that 3 attack could be even the perfect choice for an adrenalin in case your Puffers don't show up.
All in all, -1
cost is the way to go -- besides this, it's perfect.