Of course, luck plays a role, but I generally play with all factions (especially Rampart), and always with 200% monster stats. Sometimes I manage to build with a Citadel of Birds and Wonders, but I’ve also been punished for it many times, with opponents attacking on weeks 3 or 4 with three or four Obeyers and a Book of Magic, etc. Building Bears on the first week automatically leaves you defenseless against a rush, and so on. It’s much better to build up to level 4 or 5 (if you have 20 wood for Ogres) with a Citadel, calmly buying whatever is profitable (depending on the map, sometimes it’s better to buy Orcs, sometimes Birds, etc.), and then build a Castle with a Monastery or Capitol on the second week, and Bears on the third week, and everything will be fine =):smile44: