[.80 BALANCE] Couldn't figure out why my economy was tanking... then I saw the upkeep for Knights of Asok = 9g/turn

They have always been rather expensive. I agree with you that the cost benifit is not there.

Mercenaries and Hunters are quite expensive too.  While not 9g/turn, they are 3 or 3.5.

It's strange how expensive those guys are, considering that by the time you can get them you're already building vastly superior forces of your own for less.  I think the knights and mercs would be all right with a massive buff (6-man unit, 4 accessories and high-end mundane weapon) if you're gonna pay obscene amounts of money to keep them.  Balance-wise, it'd be smarter to eliminate their upkeep, but what kind of mercenary fights for free?  Instead, make them worth paying for.

I would agree with that idea.

Basically as soon as I see a Mercenary camp or Knights of Asok camp up until today, I instantly raze it, just to not be "tempted" by 9g/s units.

Been a problem for ages, I mod them to cost zero upkeep same as Ogres.  It would be good to see it done in the core game though.

Been like that since FE, always considered it a bug (considering that a Storm Dragon costs 1.5g upkeep, as comparison)

There is one situation where the Knights of Asuck (err asok) are golden - in spite of the cost.  One a map where you have no access to horses/wargs - the knights may be the only mounted troops you can field.

This game needs less balance and more fun I say. Keep the cost and make them a lot stronger (or give them some special ability).

Then you would have to consider the very high cost versus their usefulness. Now they just are not worth it.

When LH is released, if this isn't touched- I think we're probably going to need a community mod to adjust for Stardock's oversights.

Which I think is too cheap.

Imo, Storm Dragon should cost 3gp/turn and 3mana/turn for upkeep.

Knights of Asok should cost in the realm of 2gp/turn for upkeep.

They should be free.  They take a lot of research to be able to use a resource you may not even have access too, and they are not all that great.  should be free.

Agreed (free), it's not like they're overpowering... and you only get 2 units of them in any case.