No, not implying that at all, sorry if I was unclear. What I was saying was that a base creature with LA +2 and no RHD is preferable in the case of creating a character playable at 1st level.
Agreed. Agreed 100%.
But I'm saying that it can be read that the LA+2 from 1/2 Ogre, and the LA -2 from IC, = LA +0 and "cancel out" the "LA -" of Effigy Creature, particularly if applied prior to the point of character creation. In a previous thread on this very topic, several people agreed with my interpretation.
I'm not claiming that it is RAW, I'm saying that it's a possible reading of the situation after all templates are applied. Hence, it would required a DMs ruling.