This is an oft debated subject... but since its core to the whole game, its always worth further discussion!
Now many better players will give you better answers... but for me..... its simple, Its
Rooster's Rule #2
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Rooster Rule #2 - "Sea How We Win"
We conquer cities with our army... but we
RULE THE WORLD with our FLEET.
Offense or defense - your harbor is your best friend.
It should be the core of your Empire. The busiest building in just about every city you command.
It should be running 24/7.
Its the best way to crush your enemies and the best way to defend your friends.
Its the fastest way to sweet sweet BP.
And..... Its the single greatest difference between the winners & the losers in this game.
Obviously , this rule ties into
Rooster Rule #6. - "Hey Dummy! Use Your Academy." and
Rooster Rule #3. - "OH MY GOD!".
Both of which I can safely assume you've already tattooed onto your forehead in reverse... as a daily reminder in your bathroom mirror.
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Let me say it again: Biremes and Light Ships should make up the vast bulk of your empire.
Don't get fancy... don't get cute... Don't over-think it... Don't turtle...
And don't think you'll land those 1200 slingers with a 20 LS escort.
Unless your opponent is even more stupidider than yourself... you'll watch most of those 1200 hapless slingers drown in the waters off your enemy's coast... long before they can sling a single rock.
Biremes & Light Ships. Say it to yourself 100 times. Biremes & Light Ships.
Build armies... land nukes... only when you plan on conquering a city. They build quick enough with a bit of help from Hera and the Academy. Leave at least a single farming village unconquered on each island, as a quick means of disposing of unwanted land troops after a conquest.
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Footnotes:
Truth be told... I rarely if EVER build land defense. Transports are wasted population... and a bireme wall won't stop your city from being put into revolt... but it
WILL stop the associated conquest dead in its tracks every single time... and score you a ton of easy defensive BP on the way.
Also, I do build (breed?) pegasus for fast "land" support... but the last time I built a swordsman, I was still trying to figure out how to spell Grepolis.
ro: