Are Hirelings completely useless?

[Broso]

I don't see how they add any real value to the stronghold other than bleeding you dry of money.

And why are tax payments based on turns but hireling payment is based on ingame days?

[Undead Rufus]

Stronghold hirelings give a +/- to renown and/or security.

[speedstr]

They are useless and add nothing of importance to the playing of the game.

[seanmcfa2]

As Undead Rufus said, they act as modifiers to the prestige and security of your stronghold. These stats are more than likely included into the calculation of how much you receive/lose each turn so it's beneficial to have them both as high as possible at any one point. At a certain point your prestige and security will be high enough that you'll be constantly netting positive returns on tax payments. If this were based on IG time then the potential for abuse and infinite money collection exists. It also paces the game in a way by forcing you to engage in the content to reap the rewards of your stronghold.

[speedstr]

Originally posted by seanmcfa2:

As Undead Rufus said, they act as modifiers to the prestige and security of your stronghold. ......

It's a half baked idea. The benefit of collection doesn't even figure in to the game. It's a sidequest that has no real benefits.

[IlluminaZero]

As much as I WANT to like hirelings, the time/turn disconnect (infinite cost, finite funds) is pretty silly. Especially since it is not uncommon to have neutral or even negative tax income even with 30 security.

I avoid hirelings just so I don't feel pressured to rush through the game... Which is particular odd since I am a player that actually dislikes rest abuse (I love the meta attempt behind limited camps) so I would in theory be the least affected anyways.

[MTV]

The stronghold is a useless money sink mostly. You can safely ignore it.

Just get the Wardens lodge for bounties. You can get some neat gear and a lot of exp. The rest can be ignored.

[Mygaffer]

I know this is old as hell but in case anyone else comes here yes, hirelings are a total waste of time and money. They can improve your security and prestige which can give you access to some of the higher level adventures a little early I guess, possibly higher security will result in higher taxes saved, but they have an up front cost and a DAILY gold cost.
If instead of daily it was per turn, like the adventures (turns happen as you complete quests) it would be a much better system.

The final place hirelings can "help" is when your stronghold is attacked. They can help defend and will appear if you fight it manually or will possibly win if you auto-resolve. Basically if you don't want to go back to the stronghold to defend against the attacks that sometimes happen.

Finally I want to disagree with anyone who says the stronghold is a waste of time and gold. It has a lot of powerful buffs it can give you, it can generate creature parts and crafting parts every turn, it provides access to stronghold adventures where some of the strongest items come from. It's very much worth it and you'll have MORE than enough money to max out everything and still buy what you want and upgrade the gear you want.

[D'amarr from Darshiva]

Stronghold adventures are a source of items, too.

And yes, the stronghold is fully optional (and has been a crowdfunding campaign stretch goal) but some of the reconstructions are worthwhile indeed. Such as Brighthollow inn resting bonuses.