The liches also have the problem that they damage everyone – including their own undead.
But, on the other hand, this can be used to your advantage. They deal decent damage, and they are the only ranged unit in the Necropolis; if you consider that you can't expect the same as in Heroes of Might and Magic III in Heroes of Might and Magic II, then it turns out that without liches, the battle will almost certainly result in losses (but, of course, anything can happen); at least you'll almost certainly have to use magic.