Which level 1 creature is better?

To be honest, I never understood this logic: why is it necessary to take Utopia as early as possible – in the second or third week, leaving two-thirds of your army there and often a significant part of your main attacking force, in this case – troglodytes.
After all, Lizardmen and Gnolls are one thing, never mind them, but 9 Minotaurs... Who can you rely on if an enemy visits on the third week? :) Which, by the way, is not uncommon at all...