Unless you have a very good reason to not use elites, you should never be without an elite on any skill bar. If you simply do not have any elites unlocked yet, you should stick with henchmen and go capture some (or unlock via balthazar faction).
The only good hero builds I can think of that do not benefit greatly from having an elite is a minion master and a n/rt healer.
update If its the case where you simply don't have too many elites to use and don't want to put too much effort to obtain more, even a few elites is better than none, and it may help if you posted the ones available.