Oftentimes cannon fodder is very useful.
Or, if places in the rear with Hold and Attack, they can arrive when the enemy has a bunch of fatigue, but they are fresh, and so suddenly can compete with better units. Numbers help.
I've even done some good damage with Mictlani slaves (!!) ... when they arrive at just the right time. Actually, I have quite a few elite-2 Mictlani slaves (which still stink worse than Satyrs, but it's interesting). They always serve to at least distract the enemy for a while, and when then usually run away, the survivers end up getting to be experienced.
PvK