Best Spectre now? Buffed Variants?

I didn't use Frozen Mandibles and always stuck to the Vaal Guard.
But I was looking into switching it up to get away from the major visual eyesore that the Guards bring with it.

Since Mandibles is gone, I was going to look into the Quill Crab, but noticed that's gone too??

So...besides the Guard, which Spectre(s) would be considered really good now?

ALSO! What does the "buffed variants" really mean? Does that mean if you get one in act3, there's one that's better to bind in an endgame map? I haven't been able to find any additional info about this yet.

Honestly bro, they kinda sucks compared to Mandible or Vaal Guard. The buffs they promised were essential worthless in the grand scheme. Wish they gave us more choice of game style to play with.