Should thugs fight alone or with bodyguards?

[AfroSquirrel]

As you said, it depends on their role. Against armies, things will vary on a case-to-case basis. Against PD, though, I sometimes send out a couple of 'sturdy' chaff only if my thug needs to do some casting. Naiad Warriors are my personal favorite, having shields to block arrows as well as Awe to block most melee, since PD is generally relatively low-morale units.