It's great that quest rewards matter now. It was kind of useless before to go and spend a few turns just to get a normal axe when I could instead kill the nearby hero and get the Axe of Awesome.
However, the new Panca Archers are crazy good. 11 attack x 5 units, 17 initiative and impulsive?!?!
Basically, I took some damage but was able to clear our 3 bandits. After that, I "rescued" the refugees who then joined me and we started killing bone ogres, fire elements, forest drakes, slags, no problem!
To balance this, and not make it a game changing quest, I'd say 3 archers with 5 attack and 9 initiative is more what I was expecting from a group of refugees who needed my help to kill bandits. Certainly no belt of speed and awesome technology I only wish I had.