If you're going purist pro-shaper, i.e. no canisters, then the only ultimate creature you can get is War Trall, which is pretty good when it has no competition on its own tier. In fact, since the only competetive creatures, Kyshakk and Wingbolt, both deal energy damage, the War Trall's straight physical damage brings much needed elemental diversity to your critters' ranged arsenal.
Of course, once you bring Drayks, etc. back nto the picture, you're back to War Trall sucking. Still, Clawbug/Plated Clawbug are pretty good mid-game.