Those bodyguards would outlast the hero because of their ability, just look at how overlords have around 775 hp in vanilla, there's a reason for that you know
Also I really wanted for some elite units to have a special abilities, we have zephyrs, those council guards, and the ironguard which are generic, but I want each group to have a particular exclusive ability
Like Zephyrs are really fast, have spell resistance, and can attack air units
The council guards have spell resistance and powerful attacks
Ironguards are really tough, etc.
basically every elite unit I design will be "specialized" in this sense