[aaminoff]

In general mercs are a part of the game and people use them. I don't think I have ever heard of a game where mercs were banned. It gives a boost to the initial expansion of some nations whose recruitable troops are less than great. One time I played EA Arco and basically assumed that I would bid for some mercs in the first few turns, since EA Arco's troops are so bad. (I was playing a Sloth build and ignoring Myrmidons). So it is possible that some players in this game took into account the possibility of getting Mercs as part of their initial expansion strategy.