[Executor]

Yes, that's why I wouldn't buy just sacreds, especially those higher resource ones. I'd rely a bit on PD if I'm going up against larger numbers, Ashdod has great PD, and I'd add other troops, indies if needed.
Research isn't really a problem, Ashdod can easily afford an awake sage pretender to rush alteration and construction and still have a good bless.
Something else to keep in mind is that whoever fights Asdod is likely to fight in a H3 land, meaning they get +2 enc as well.