they cost much to stay alive. So they are used as cannon fodder, while regulars must get most of the kills.
couldn't agree more. they're there to get killed, not paid!

except merc artillery, as Martok and Roark said. very handy to whip up a couple of mangonels for that tricky siege.

my favourites are Rus and Italian spears instead of the rubbish ones you get early on. and Arab swordsmen, although it's amazing any would want to be hired by me, their survival chances are...low