you have to not look at them as just 1 thing, what they are in my mind is an activation/AP as well as whatever else you want to use them for.....and then compare them to our other scheme runners, sometimes they fit sometimes another model is the best option...
for cheap easy to use scheme runners we have lots of options with slight changes, the hounds are 3ss and you should take them in pairs at least, 3 at a time is the ideal usually for me, and sometimes 4, thats 4 activation's for 12ss.... nice return
also good for cheap spam attacks
great use in a lucius crew, the +flips, more +flips, leads to getting things done, but because they are not defensive at all they will go down easy, numbers, high walk, and staying out of direct conflict will keep them alive unless the enemy directs resources to killing them, minion
3ss- hound; cheap activation/ap, black blood, + flips outside of activation (lucius), avg stats
compare them to:
4ss-tots; higher mobility, higher def, good for leave your mark
5ss-insidious madness; incorporeal high wk, good for leave your mark
4ss-gupps; leap on mask, can do claim jump solo
7ss-silurid; leap, great general scheme runner, expensive 1:1, solo claim jump
others....