Using HC strategy is not that bad compared to the normal LC nuke. It slows farming a bit and it takes more time to build, maybe bout 30% more time is needed to get the extra axes, assuming you are using the most effective build of course (11k-12k axes, 1250 HC and 200-250 rams).
As for wasting your offense on defense, im sure you won't waste your axes on defense unless you're a noob. When you stack with HC i don't think you will not send all the HC you got in each village, you send 1/4 of your HC which is bout 300 HC which takes 62:21:40 to re-build if you lose them all so i don't find it really bad, couple of days and you're all good again.
It depends on your position too, if you are surrounded by a tribe that may be a future enemy it comes very very useful, been there so i know the situation pretty well.
People have different thoughts bout it, i sometimes think its bad but it comes to good use some other times as well so HC or LC is fine with me but i agree, nukes with LC are better than nukes with HC.