Lucur

Theoretically 5 man Sequitors have a higher damage output per point than 10 or 15 strong squads due to more primes per unit member (i.e. extra greatmace and extra attack). But as @schwabbele stated, 5strong squads lack the wounds to withstand a charge from any serious attackers. Then again larger units than 10 i find very unwieldy and often times get easily outmaneuvered so you can't apply all those juicy attacks. I find 10 is the sweetspot.

Those command abilities, however, do specify that you need a model with the command ability in range X, which the hammers ability does not. So in my mind you don't need another unit on the field, moreso not a hero because that would be stated as such in the rule.

I never said the Ordinator COULD NOT be useful outside the +1 to hit, it's just for ease of comparison. I also didn't account for a unit of Evocators rerolling 1s thanks to an Azyros In my mind it's the Azyros' mobility and points that puts him ahead of the Ordinator in general. Not saying the Lord O doesn't have his place though, i merely wanted to elaborate on the numbers. Hence my conclusion that the Ordinator "pays off" for3+ ballistae.

A ballista puts out 4 × 1/3 × 7/2 =4,66 hits at 100pts, so 0,046 hits ppt. An Ordinator, assuming he generates no value outside +1to hit for ballistae, generates 4 × 1/6 × 7/2 =2,22 hits per ballista he is buffing at 140 pts. That's 0,016 hits ppt AND ballista. At three ballistae he thus adds 0,048 hits ppt, which is just a smidge more than an other ballista would get, while being way better at 4. @bellfree: what i meant by generally more useful is that a) his rr1s can be used by all units, not only warmachines and b) his higher movement is straight superior. Also the Azyros is plain cheaper and can hold a lantern artefact for what that's worth. I see him as useful outside the circumstances you described, however ymmv.

It's statistics. The Ordinator doesn't generate value outside the +1 to hit for the ballistae while he's hanging back, so you pay 140pts for that. The Azyros grants reroll 1s for evetybody, melee and ranged, and is more likely to get into melee (although he won't win a war...) and also has the MW bomb once a game. Thus the Azyros is considered universally more useful by himself anf the Ordinator generates value for three or more ballistae, otherwise more ballistae generate more shots (and wounds), assuming he won't get to melee or use his CA.