I did get absolutely spakned by absolutely superior units.  I was playing on Challenging, though.  Also, somehow, while all other soverigns were a rating of 70, and Magnar was a 190.  Good lord, he train wrecked me.

I didn't make it clear, but that one game where Magnar was waaayhigher than any other faciton was the only time I have seen it.  The rerst of the time, yup, inferior troops.  

And by superiod, I mean it.  Their standard unit had around 100 atk and 45 defense to my 48 atk 8 defense.