Howard vs. Ardam: Heaven or Hell

The main problem here is how similar the cards are. For all practical purposes, 4 lifepoints and an ability speed (both in Ardam's favor) separate the two in usage. When this was discussed before, webrunner said that he was willing to change one or the other to help differentiate the two:

webrunner, on IRC Wrote:[17:10:54] <masa> War Healer Ardam and Howard are virtually identical - same cost, ability and attack, different life and speed
[17:11:23] <masa> proposed boosts to Howard would probably put him closer
[17:11:43] <webrunner> we dont really need two cards that are almost completely the same
[17:12:00] <E-mouse> So how should we make them different?
[17:12:39] <webrunner> i'll consent to a major concept change on one of the cards, just because we're not 'losing' the 3L unique hero healer

The question is, what? Most here know about Ardam, but changing his 3-mana version met with apathy since it was basically "retreading old ground" and there wasn't much to give him that hasn't been basically done on another of his versions, whereas his healing spells haven't appeared anywhere else.

On the other hand, Andriex looked up Howard's appearances in RPGWW to check on his abilities and found:
- Healer (Also revived Dragobo once)
- Summoner (Gigantic Mubble only one shown)
- Laughably pathetic melee fighter
- Also used the fantastic ability to Run Away with Dragobo during his first appearance, though I don't have a link handy.

Ideas that have been shot down: DO NOT recommend unless you want to be laughed at:
- Reviving Dragobo specifically (uncodable)
- Big Mubble summon (requires a new card)
- Synergy boost to Dragobo when in play (Dragobo is already an excellent 2-mana beatstick)
- Mubble synergy (needless, boosts Jack a bit much)

Other, valid ideas with some support either from the previous thread that met some support or that I'm pulling out of my ass based on the abilities above:
- Synergy boost to Howard when Dragobo is in play
- High-cost-for-its-use and/or conditional imitation of Life (possible conditions: high cost [8-ish?], low mana-cost cap [3 total?], once-only, Heroes only, mono-Light creatures only...)
- Bouncing your creatures (Dragobo-only was suggested but probably too weak)
- Summoning Dragobo when damaged or defending (ala VCH Wrench)
- Bumping cost/stats to 5-mana levels (I don't like it, though it could work for Ardam instead, even if there's a 5-mana version of him already).

What say you, balance monkeys?