Depends on how you use them, they are not that super great 1 unit you make a doomstack out of, but they solve the armored problem that gravedudes and beast struggle with. With the opening of now have a reason to fight dwarfs and they do want to fight sooner or later if you don't bribe them, they are pretty good against dwarfs.

Most important are to train them up, they have a poor MD and MA unranked but they get huge benefits from veterancy and leader army effect that increase it, making them much stronger than most units when they start to get ranks.

I normally use them supported with regen carts (75% reduction in damage and constant regen makes them durable, but won't stop a cavalry rush) to face the armored frontline, beast to handle the lighter infantry,heroes and ranged and vampires to help support different areas so the filler ranks don't break.

But I did just put them inside mainly for "meme" effects, but they are really strong vs the dwarven faction and orkz that turn to black orcs stack later.