Which faction poses the greatest challenge for the Dwarves?

Are Gnomes weak at the start??? That's just noob talk, and I hope the moderators forgive me for saying so!! What about Ingvar? What about Karl? Are they weak in your opinion too??? And what about the 15% chance of getting a war machine - is that nothing to you???? I don't understand why people say such nonsense. It's true that it's difficult to start with Night Elves and Sylvan Elves. It's also difficult with Demons (if you don't split them up), but it's definitely not difficult with Gnomes! Take Ingvar, choose the Light faction, upgrade Runes, and everything will be fine. And with evasion (priests of Arkat provide it) + an energy rune, all the archers are doomed!!!
Bears also block archers when you have an energy rune!!! You can always create an antimagic defense against Mages (put antimagic on the warriors). These tough guys are really effective... So next time, think carefully before calling Gnomes a weak race, and saying that they are weak at the start (Look for more accurate wording!!!)