Lusotana Campaign

[Kull]

You even got some cost-effectiveness out of spartans. I tested them as well, and if anything I found them to be one of the most overpriced, cost-inefficient units in the game.

If you really want a laugh, take a unit of elite dacian skirmishers and throw them at a single unit of triari. Seeing the price of the elite dacian skirmishers for the very first time caused me to literally spray coffee on my monitor, but at any rate a single unit of triari, not even adjusted for cost (triari are significantly cheaper) beats an elite dacian skirmisher unit.

You are completely missing the point. At no time did the EB team ever try to establish a linear mathematical relationship between unit cost and unit quality. And we certainly never promised such a thing. If you feel "crappy" units are the way to go, have at it. Most players realize that some mix of the two is the best approach, and that mix is often dependent upon the individual's playing style, the army mix of your opponents, and what you can afford.

I like to include elephant units in my army mix, even though they are hideously expensive and a horrible unit choice when considered purely from a clinical cost-benefit standpoint. But they are unique and enjoyable to watch, and in the final analysis, that's what counts. Elites ARE "worth it", even if only because they usually look cool and add fun and variety to your game. But they are also useful tactically as line anchors or as a reserve to throw in at a critical point in the battle.