Which creatures from the alternative upgrade options do you choose?

On the first level, there are mountain guardians, and I'm already tired of talking about how you can run around with them for half the game. I only take other units when priests start appearing because defenders of the protector are better than berserkers in terms of stats when they are in the starting position; they are simply overpowered killing machines.
Otherwise, it's the same as ValgallaWolf's strategy.
P.S.
Now, to avoid having to post about the mega combo of hero + protector + defenders, I will use the code variable "ZHО." Finding "ZHО" means having a protector + defender (and "ZHО" is so that enemies don't figure it out).