Elementals don't come in pairs now, I think.
They have a lot of melee skills, but seem to fail on the offensive ones (kick, snare, etc.) They can succeed in skills like grip, focus, boosting their combat abilities.
Elementals, from weakest to strongest are,
Water Elemental - T2 spell
Air Elemental - T1 Spell
Earth Elemental - T3 spell
Fire Elemental - T4 spell.
The water elemental is useless as a combatant, it dies too fast for it to attack back. Only use is for RP and walking container. Maybe a distraction like clone.
The air elemental is slightly better, lasting a few more rounds, but I've never seen it attack either. Useful as meat shields.
The earth elemental is a step up from both elementals, able to last rather long, and do decent damage.
Fire elementals are godly. Way, way, way too much HP, and can kill gladiator chars in one round.