More newbie questions

[Illuminated One]

Barbarians can be nasty, except they dont stand up against missile weapons, which Marverni has in abundance.

SCs shouldn't rely on defense alone, so you should have a extremely high protection (through items or spells, earth magic mostly) and/or a effect that stops attacks from happening (awe, vine shield) or from doing damage (body ethereal, luck). Look for Baalz guide on thugs if you want to know more.