I am just now testing out farming, does not work well when the people around you are still under 300 points. My fail: I didnt get the farms on my island at first and it took forever to expand!
Just remembered another big fail! I built a bunch of fire ships before realizing how hard it is to support and defend with them!
I thought I could conquer all 8 farms in the same manner, not paying any attention to the fact that there were more and more troops defending - so lost all my troops in one foul swoop.