Well, last thing you want is for SCs to start rushing and hitting Morph/Lightning Shield/Curse/FF etc. Since NE units don't have the greatest life in the world, last thing they want is to be picked off one by one due to spells.
I know SCs will be picked off by Archers, but Archers die easily against melee, so if Hunts/Bears fall, Archers don't stand a chance alone, they need something to give them an edge.
Still, I know they're weakened but the HP increase might be something. NE isn't dead yet.