Main problem i have with your examples GM4HIM ... Is that you are counting with party of 6 ... you dont seem to take it as option, when you adjust mob stats, but as the only option. :-/
I mean, yeah cool if they adjust imps and intellect devourers, party of 5 or 6 will deal with them just fine.
But what exactly will do that player, who dont want to have so huge party right from the start? Or who just wants to create single custom character?
I still dont understand why cant we change Race for our hirelings. Lets us play Githyanki as racist as they trully are!