Definitely behind immortals ----> immortals useful right away but their health regen bonus upgrades with them too. Hoplites maybe not as much.
Longbows (murderbows) have so much oomph it's hard to argue. I also think janissaries are a bit better
Keshiks are way better. Obviously the longsword/knight UU in general are nicer, samurai comes to mind as something comparable but sooner as do those freaking N elephants.
Companion cavalry is still devastating even now.
Things like jaguar/mohawk are debatable though the upgrade retention of jags is useful and the guaranteed early power of the mohawk is notable. Not sure I'd put legions ahead or behind.
I'd probably rate CKN ahead too. CKN have a forgiving upgrade path to take true advantage of the 2shots.
Still, USA UU fits in similarly with many of these and is reasonably solid; the first time one's ever been able to say that about an American UU in a civ game!
Haven't tried Companion Cavalry lately - just don't like early game conquest as it kills my happiness. Probably due for a try, just for kicks.
I'd rate Samurai higher than Minutemen, on account of how it combines with the Civ UA and the tech timing to produce a more devastating effect. Blitz Melee Forever is hard to pass up when you're sitting on Bushido.
Immortals, I'm not so sure. They occur earlier at Bronze Working, but also obsolete earlier with Civil Service. This means that you only have as much time getting from Bronze Working to Civil Service to get Immortals online or they're lost forever. On the lower diff settings, Slinging to CS is strong enough and reliable enough that not being able to do it just to build your UU is a disadvantage.
Yes, the Immortals open up an early aggression game not available to Minutemen, but they close off an economic play at the same time. Even if you weren't slinging, building Immortals in the early game just for upgrade purposes uses hammers and maintenance that the American does not have to - again closing an economic play for a military one. I can't put the Minutemen behind, though if I could sell my luxes for thousands in the early game, I'd imagine that I would think the same as you do.
Too, the upgrade path is awkward, and the bonus (better healing) could largely be replicable with Medics. Granted, Immortals with Medics are just that much more powerful.
