Lphilips, to put big final point to discussion with you, I say to you next things.
First. +1 to upkeep per unit means nothing. Does not matter. If that matters for you, that means that you are more bookkeeper than warlord, really
Second. If you played with a beginner and had victory, this does not give you right to call him foolish. He has the same rights to call you a stupid speaker. Right? But if he didn't do it, and you don't need that, too.
Just remember how you were afraid of my Valkyri and escaped the game, having more than 20 cities
And nobody called you a coward. Moonknight won that game.
And finally third. All that you wrote above is your
personal strategy and tactic. Another player may combine Heavy Infantry with attackers and have success because HI is very powerfull unit, too powerfull as he is. That is why this unit the most popular from powerful 1-turners.
Your example with upkeep means nothing, as I show above.
That's all, man. Be correct in your words and good luck in games!