But in my opinion, KH bodyguards is a bit better than sweboz one... at least they could hold a phalanx, while the Sweboz will get almost suicide holdin phalanx from the front.

When I play Sweboz, I capable to get huge management bonus on most of my FM, except the one (or two) who stay in the field since his 16th birthday. Even with tavern on, the key is just tax the people as high as possible, build economic tier buildings first, and never fight except in emergency (campaign was done by one or two general that was raised for that)