Why not? I disagree. I think a hero should stay behind the troops and command, unless it's a reckless Barbarian or a noble Knight. A mage should definitely not engage in direct combat. In my opinion, this doesn't diminish the enjoyment of the game; I think it's better to judge not by the commander's fragility but by their skill. Mages also just sit on elephants and smoke hookahs. And the Nighonians also seem to have a distinct form of slavery – a great idea.