Warrior Ancient and Medieval Rules

I'm seriously looking at picking up either EIR or Marians for my next
army project.

I like some of the options EIR gives like boltshooting carts and
multi-armed auxillia, but something says try Marian.

One of the options for the Marians are 0-2 elephants with 2 crew with
either B or Jls. What are people's opinions here?

I'm thinking I want them with jls to help in the HTH, as 6 shooters
will do little, but then I may be looking at this wrong. Any
thoughts?

Also what is the optimum MC unit size. As I run the numbers 12 figs
just dies like crazy, but 18 seems over big 3 wide. I love the idea
of running IrgA MC JLS/sh :)

Thoughts?

Wanax