[Endoperez]

At least from blitz games. Nation(s) with mercs won't lose their own troops if the mercs are melee, or will have archer support, and will be able to expand much better than those without mercs. It's not about paying for an advantage. It's about some players having an advantage over others.

The money bid on mercs isn't used for recruiting, and losing time on the early game can be bad as well.