training commanders again

When I first started playing this game, the evidence of the advantages of T2 over T1 commanders was strong enough that I held off forming an army until I could build a T2 Spear as a commander; on my second time through, I had read and discussed the topic more, and came to the conclusion that a better first commander would be a defencive T2 Bow, and I would better serve my gameplan using it exclusively until Cavalry was unlocked and I could then generate a T1 offencive commander, and replace the T2 Bow with a T2 Horse at a later date.

I am on my third incarnation, now, and am of a mind to hang-fire on building troops until I can appoint a T1 Horse multi-purpose, and leaving the position of Home Guard until I get T2 Horse.

does this sound like a viable plan? anyone else done it this way?