[Taqwus]

Might want to check MR on potential guards -- Blood Vengeance and all, found on all but one of the Doom Horrors (not Scabiel). In particular everybody must have good MR to have any chance against Kurgi (BV +7).

Umor and the Hunter of Heroes both have Consume Soul, if memory serves, which is the save-or-die attack. MR also helps with Astral Claw, if memory serves, which is standard equipment on all but one Horror IIRC (again, Scabiel is the exception). All stock Pretenders have MR 18 in neutral dominion, 'tho.

Magebane does work, takes only one hand slot, and gives a nice MR boost as well. Only downside is the increased Horror Marking, really. Well, it doesn't do funky elemental damage, but +100 fatigue (AN, if memory serves) is even better in a 1:1 duel arguably except against somebody with absolutely massive reinvig and high defense. TThe Infernal Sword should also work.