ID anecdote:
I was using a fairly buffed ID (Wraith Sword, Rainbow Armor, Boots of Quickness IIRC) in its vaunted "take provinces by itself" role. I used it to take a couple provinces from C'tis, and then it withstood a counter-attack or two. I then noted that another attack by the Lizards got it, so I watched the battle to see what did him in. Turns out the army that did it had one squad of Manikins. The ID took them out a 2 per round, but the rest were able to hit him enough to put him to sleep.
I am of the opinion that SCs are fun, but I think I'd ignore them if I were trying to maximize my efficiency, rather than my fun quotient
