Allow me to contribute as well! First, we need to decide on the difficulty level and map size, and only then on the preferred Castle, Hero, and units. It would also be good to briefly explain the reasoning, so that the connection and perhaps the strategic idea are clear. For example (random map): Very difficult game/size L - 1st place - Tower, Eyne (+350 gold), master Gremlins. "Significant plus" - the size of the map doesn't matter. Very difficult game/size L - 1st place - Castle, Tyris (Cavalry), Champions. "Significant plus" - a high probability of a stable appearing nearby. I won't consider the other difficulty levels. On small maps, I like to play as the Swamp, Bron (Basilisks), flying snake creatures. Bron creeps, and the main (I repeat - "main") hero is a mage (preferably a Necromancer), with snake creatures (7 is enough) and Lightning Bolt, running to the enemy to spend mana. He retreats and runs again to hammer the main core of the enemy army. And so on until exhaustion. Well, and then the final battle with Bron. The stronger the mage's magic power, the less Bron will have to work. I don't count Conflux, because choosing it would be unfair. Oh yes! I remembered your discussion about diplomacy. So, here's my opinion - joining troops is unfair! And those who do it are noobs! I didn't mean to offend anyone, I used to be one myself.