I like the concept of henchmen, particuarly when I play smaller maps and/or a lot of AI oppenents where getting a contingent of Champions can be difficult, since in those cases  I can create some RPG-ish feel by customizing henchmen.  They are good at "getting attached to", at providing buffs (including healing) to army stacks, etc., and generally increase the fun factor.

The trouble is that if they are immortal, they feel "too much" like Champions to me - they level up quickly, get a lot of useful traits and buffs, as well as a large number of HP's, and in my mind quickly become OP as a unit you can spam once you've researched the tech.

I had thought they were going to be Champion-like in leveling up and customizing ability, but they would be able to die, making them a distinct step below Champions...am I wrong?  Is the plan to keep them immortal?  Should it be?