Offline mode is a good idea, except for the fact that the lemonade stand, after 400 of everything, cashes in 6800 times a second, if the cash per second stat is to be believed. So I guess that idea is shot...
Unihound, with it's starting heal ability, hasn't lost me a fight yet! I healed over 500 health in one battle. Might not be strong, but he plays to win.