True, it's a slow start, but Carrion Centaurs are only mariginally less economical than Lords or Ladies when it comes to reanimating. I find the carrion commanders very much worth it, they return the investment in couple of turns. I don't think the low numbers are a problem either, I find they're most effective as flankers with the exception of Harpy Manikins. Anyone finding them a use (other than missile bait) gets a cookie
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I wish Illwinter would actually give the Dryad Hoplites a map move of 2. Most Pangaean armies travel 2-3 provinces a turn and I can't see reason to slow down to 1 for a bunch of slightly above average heavy infantry.