Quote Originally Posted by m52nickerson
If mercs are good for one thing, its getting a few units that you normally could not get. Example, Longbowmen are good merc groups, they tend to stay out of combat so they build valor and live a long time. Siege weapons are also good, that way if they get tore up, you don't have to wait two years to build another one.

I hire siege weapons as well, especially in the early game when all I can build are ballistas and maybe catapults. It's nice being able to add some mangonels and trebuchets to one's arsenal.