I wonder, how will you prevent me from reaching level 5 magic and black dragons if the map is XL, huh? Even with the Elves, it's impossible! And when Armageddon comes, the entire Barbarian army won't even have time to understand what's happening.
Let's take, for example, the second-to-last difficulty level (on the last one, the Dungeon won't get enough sulfur and will be out of the game).
Buildings erected in turns.
Week 1
Wolf Riders (if there is a building for them, then immediately Rocs)
Orcs
Rocs
Ogres
Monsters (finding 6 crystals is not a problem)
Stronghold
Hall of Valhalla
Week 2
Buying reinforcements
Market
Castle
Unit upgrades
Week 3
Buying reinforcements (and that's 4 Monsters) and an attack on the Dungeon.
By this point, the Dungeon, with all due respect, will definitely not have a guild of level 5. Either dragons or a guild. Also, don't forget that in a 1-on-1 fight, Barbarian units are stronger than any other units of the same level.
Black dragons move faster, attack two at once (if the enemies are positioned favorably) + plus, they are immune to any magic!
Manticoras are much better than Rocs (more health!)
and even upgraded Minotaurs hit so hard that it's scary!
The Barbarian Castle has little magic; at most, you can count on the Ring of Cold and Lightning!
Conclusion. The Dungeon is a long and tedious tech path. The Barbarians are a fast and fun rush strategy.
Everyone chooses what they like.