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A guide on how to be an okay defensive Gaul (by a self-proclaimed ‘okay defensive Gaul’.
FAQ:
Does this guide require the purchase of gold? No. This account setup can work with only the gold gained from the auction house. However, a small amount of gold makes this a lot more streamlined and allows for faster development (especially of the capital).
Does this guide require a lot of time? No. This is a low-maintenance strategy. However, the more time invested, the better the results should turn out.
Is this a one-size fits all guide? No. Lots of people disagree with my play style. I have taken on board various pieces of advice over the past 2-3 years, and this is what I would call my perfect setup. It works.
Introduction
This guide shows how to setup an account capable of training (and feeding) many troops by mid-game. The aim of the account is to have a lot of defensive troops ready to defend the WW. If you want early-game action, then this probably is not the guide for you. However, if you wish to play the whole round and do not mind a quiet start, then this is worth at least considering.
Basics
This guide relies on trade routes; therefore, Gold Club is needed (costs 100 gold, which can be made by selling ointments, cages, etc. at the start). Each village (other than the capital) should have a level 8 or higher trade office, because it makes moving resources (for resource pushes or building smaller villages) much easier.
Rough timescales
Day 90: V3 should be mostly 24/7 with Phalanxes, and Capital should be training Phalanxes whilst buildings are queued.
Day 130: Capital should have fields at level 16 (or 17, depending on gold use) and have Phalanxes and Druidriders 24/7. V3 is still 24/7, and V4 is close to, or 24/7 with Druidriders. V6 is on the way to being 24/7 (although resources may still be focused on building smaller villages including 15/9cs). Can easily have 50k+ troops in wheat.
Day 150: Capital, V3, V4 and V6 are all 24/7 with troops. V4 is now training Phalanxes with Druidriders. Trade routes are mostly feeding defence; however, troops are being fed into the Capital to make feeding easier.
Account overview
V1 (spawn): feeder for capital and hosts parties (chiefed around day 60 by an alliance member)
V2 (9c capital): Phalanx and Druidrider anvil
V3: Phalanx anvil
V4: Druidrider anvil*
V5: V3 feeder
V6: Phalanx anvil
V7: 15c
V8: V4 feeder
V9: V3 feeder
V10: V5 feeder
V11: 9c (or 15c)
V12: 15c (or 9c)
All future villages feed one of the three non-capital defence villages.