At G4+, a guardsman + swordsman stack usually beats a full pyramid.
Top grade
G4
Stacks (grades down from top)
4
Merc safety
Mercs get hit first when their squad's total health beats your biggest troop wall. Keep them under it and your fodder takes the hits.
Post-G4 hunt setup Beta
Guardsmen & Swordsmen
Full send-ready breakdown. Guardsmen split into melee, archers, mounted (halved) across your grades; swordsmen go in as one stack, sized to soak the hits first.
Committing 21,500 troops
Guardsman top grade
G4
Stacks (grades down from top)
3
Swordsman grade (your top swordsman)
S2
Swordsman margin (extra vs guardsmen)
15%
Merc safety
Mercs go in last. Keep their total health under one guardsman squad so your guardsmen are hit before your mercs.