Azula

I'm somewhat doubtful that OP gave the cards more than a single glance. I'm afraid I must disagree with most of what you said (well, the models being called useless at least). Especially the part where you called Hoffman an "interesting master". Riflemen only doing 1/2/4?! Did you read the card?

My favourite is Nicodem. Mostly for fluff reasons. Whereas many of the other ressers are certifiably insane and/or psychically unstable/unpredictable, Nicodem is cold, calculating and cynical. His scheming is deliberate and thought through, and quite literally on a grandiose scale. He is a true Gentleman Villain. This is furthermore enhanced by a play style where he acts as an "overseer", controlling his minions and ensuring that everything goes according to his plan, never really interacting much with the opponent directly. And the fact that losses taken are often inconsequential (both in-game and for Nico in the story) is also a bonus.

I find that the activation control that potentially comes with Undertaker + Maniacal Laugh is usually a moot point as those recently raised zombies very rarely survive the rest of Nicodem's activation... One thing that is also very useful in taking Maniacal Laugh is the extra basewidth from the initial Corpse Marker you can effectively place your summoned models. That ~1" can often mean the difference between a charging and a (2) flurrying Punk Zombie or a better "plugged hole" in Nico's wall of zombies. It's not always relevant, but when it is, you can do some marvelous things with that extra basewidth.