Gremlion: Game randomizes damage in range from 80% to 120% of shown.
This little 1 resistance(which is futile, but anyway) can protect you against unlucky crit roll from sorcerer.
As for barbs - they would be heavily wounded, you will need to hire fresh.
Brigands - around 70-80 gold economy.
You simple can't effectively rely on barbs in 3+ ring. Saving them become too tedious. You
need to build thugs.
In my last game with barbs I tried everything to save them, but finally gave up and buried them in attack on 6+ ring brigand outlaw province, which 3 thugs cleared easily.
Ah ok I guess I see your point there. I have never used the Thugs. I always go for Guardsmen and find them more useful.
Also I am more a defensive player and so I always try to save my troops, especially my swordies. If you ever get those guys with 3 Defense medals they are just a brutal shield wall. I love how my level 6-10 swordie can take on a T3 Knight and win (with help of healer ofc)
I hate having to waste 2 turns or more (if not fighting in home prov, or having Fort) to resupply cannon fodder before fighting again.
Losses are also not acceptable to me lol.