Unit cost and quality.

Berserkers are definitely a questionable choice. They have a cool name, but they die like flies from insecticide: they die, but they multiply! You either need to amass hundreds of them for a specific battle or ignore them as an independent, combat-ready unit. When I first started playing, I was amazed: am I not redundant here?
Regarding Cyclops: if you're careful, you can throw a stone in such a way that it doesn't hit your own units. Usually, you choose the spot by moving the mouse in all directions relative to the enemy unit. Respect to those who use Thunderbirds; I like them too.
P.S. And which faction are you referring to when you say "Shadows"?