[@Shoryu Magami]

Difficult to say who he'd end up going for.

It's less who he's going for, and more who he fortunately, or unfortunately, runs into. The Mist Cave trio is the most secure at the moment, with an experienced Galuf and Kain, as well as Firion. While the WoB group is currently not even together, so sicking someone on them this early might be a bit of a bad idea. Freya and Cecil are both much more skilled than he is, as well. But number-wise, they'd be his most fair bet. Especially if he only had one Hell Knight for support. 

The way I see it, for the most part, the beginning won't have the big bads engaging directly. So it's mostly up to The Goons to do the dirty work.