It depends on what you're preference of battle method is.

If you're into forming the standard German battle line by spear warband, then basically anything else besides chosen archers and spear warband is a waste. However, if you don't hesitate to try out exotic tactics, then the chosen axemen, night raiders, berserkes all serve a good purpose.

Usually the spear warband is the most preferred because they have no particular weaknesses and are reliable in all situations. But, if you can get the enemy forces into a situation which fulfills certain conditions, then that's when the normal axemen, screeching women, night raiders, chosen axemen and all the other units come alive.

For instance, in a snowy terrain, inside the woods, night raiders in vicinity with screeching women placed behind, the axemen(not chosen axemen, just normal axemen) unit will take a standard Roman Legionary Cohort unit head-on and beat it down flat-out. Under such conditions, you can have a lot of fun with different tactical formations, like placing axemen in front for an all-out, bloody charge.