[Hinterlands: Skirmish Campaigns in the Mortal Realms]

Yeah, that's pretty close to what I was thinking (also hiring unit members in multiples of 3 so you get squad upgrade) 

-Grimwrath Berserker

-3 HG Berserkers w/ Flamestrike Poleaxes (better to get 2 to Wound rolls rather than overkill individual models w/ broadaxes, & 16 gold apiece isn't bad compared to Phoenix Guard, etc. etc.)

-then fill out your list w/ Vulkite Berzerkers for cheap bodies.  Proceed to run at people, using as much scatter cover as you can.

Everyone gets a short-medium range attack, & a 2nd Save vs. ALL Wounds (handy once people see how bent Mortal Wounds scale down to this level!) 

Auric Hearthguarders aren't bad for their points, but their won't be any MONSTERS to shoot other than maybe a Khorgorath??

[Hinterlands: Skirmish Campaigns in the Mortal Realms]

I would also hesitate in nerfing melee heroes, as 1 or 2 arcane bolts will chase off/down even MegaBosses...

I would also say someone playing with Fyreslayers' beta points/gold costs could really swing a, sigh, "Hinterlands meta" as their ability to shrug off mortal wounds around their Heroes would discourage people spamming cheap Wizards.

As for my own warband, I figured a Witch Hunter + Warrior Priest + Handgunners & Dwarf Miners would be rather fluffy yet effective, as lore focuses on the struggle vs. Tzeentch cults in City of Secrets.

Also, the idea of additional Wounds past the 1st placing your elites & Heroes further up the XP table seems real solid to my buddy & me.