I guess for now I will go with quick raid, his warning of "will result in greater destruction" is ominous about the mercy one.
Edit: I will say, a post like http://spiderwebforums.ipbhost.com/index.php?/topic/20106-which-options-matter-super-spoilerific/ would be nice for Avadon 3. I keep finding myself very worried that I'll screw up some questline.