This makes bodyguards a risky, yet ideal choice for melee cavalry. Not only do they gain experience and already have exquisite armor, but they automatically replenish their numbers.

I typically carry at least one or two extra generals in stacks which I anticipate closely fought melee situations. I usually risk only my top general in the midst of the fight, because it seems as though he always has the greater number of bodyguards on hand and always seems to last longer than my other generals. But, I send in the other generals as well if the going gets tough, so that he has *extra* bodyguard protection.

I attempt to get high chevrons for my elite generals so that I dont lose them, and so that their ability to destroy and survive increases.

Working on building your generals is at least as important as army composition. Your general unit is the heart of your army, and a weak heart paired with a strong body leads to disastrous results.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 
Often times, I find that two or three generals, some light mounts, and spearmen are all you need to win the majority of early-game battles. As a blitzer, that is an especially important point to remember. If you need added muscle, mercenaries are better than militia and fill in great until the late game.

By then, it's far too late for individual units to make one shred of difference, as the map is mine. Your playing style may differ.