HE first time - 1500

The Shield is a good option. I'd probably just put my points into keeping him and his unit (Swordmasters) alive until they see combat, then let the Swordmasters do their thing. If you want cheap protection the Crown of A-whatever will give you protection from that one odd shot that gets past his unit.

As for the game, find your opponent's most dangerous unit and hammer, hammer, hammer it with your shooting (you have plenty) then let your Swordmasters clean things up. Also, I know you face O&G a lot so if you see Trolls on the board, remember that the SoA arrows are magical AND FLAMING! So bye-bye regen. I'd probably hang on to deploy that unit until I saw where he puts his Trolls to make sure they have good shots at them.

Also, after reading the current thread on Flaming attacks, it might be worth giving the Swordmasters unit the Banner of Eternal Flame so that they can cancel out regeneration as well as potentially cause fear to any chariots that might charge them.