flamer CEs are used lategame cuz of merge, pios are not, sweeper pios dont do dmg, CEs help in fights a bit cuz they dont have to get closer, you pay 25mp for sweeping unit while sovs pay 21/20/18
flame pios are useless after early game when mainline does enough dmg to kill them on approach
in case you lose them 200 vs 170
you pay less for better performance
You are only going to massively bleed if you merge instead of just using conscripts and molos.
When infantries are vetted, CEs do absolutely nothing due to poor combat scaling.
If flame pios are being killed on approach, so are flame CEs, they both need to get to 20 range and their stock weapons are NOT dealing dmg primarily.
You pay more for better utility, there is no better unit to recrew team weapons then pios with their extra sight.