I have a question, I have several large bandit hideouts, the largest being the image below.
How can I economically remove this bandit camp?
Attack the camp, kill few bandits, leave. Next day repeat. Don't get greedy and don't get yourself and your companions mauled too much, or you will need to heal for couple of days. Once bandits are down to manageable number, finish whole hideout off.
Tip for shield wall is good, but keep in mind that troops in shieldwall are less offensive, so tell them to charge when in melee range. Also I found out that if you leave your guys in the shieldwall before the final scene, they will keep standing still in place. Either disband shieldwall before final scene or tell them to charge after the scene when fight with boss and his bodyguards start.
Also numbers inside the camp fluctuate over time, some parties will enter, others will leave. If you are not in a hurry, you can try come later and check how many are inside.
As for troops that go with you, companions always join you, unless under 20% of health. The other troops are prioritized from top to bottom of your list. But it's proportionate, with those on top having highest chance to be selected. So put those that you want to bring in on top, then next best choice and so on. Just tell them to go in to line formation and then command them to go where missiles are on the ground.
Troops that bring some missile weapons will pick up those stuck in the ground and resupply themselves. Most useful with throwing weapons. But they must NOT be in the shieldwall and they must be near the javelin or arrow. They will also use enemy missiles, as long as they are the same type as those that they came equipped with. Helps in long fights. Holding Alt will highlight missiles on the ground to help you find them out.
You can pickup stuff yourself. When you aim at the object and pres-hold button, it will even bring up menu that let's you swap equipment around.
Don't forget to change your shield when damaged too much. Sheat your weapon, press G to drop the shield, hold Alt to highlight things on the ground and pick up new shield from dead enemy or ally.
You can crouch using by pressing Z key. Not sure if you are less visible thou, I suppose you are. In any case if you approach enemy from behind, you can get really close to him to for example headshot him with the javelin for insta kill. Works against solo bandits or very small groups only. Shooting will alert enemies nearby.
Using bows or crossbows can be really powerful in these missions. Even if you don't have high skill.