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bonchik, the wheel from version 3.0 is very different from versions 1.6 and 2.1. In 3.0, for the AI, it's enough to upgrade 3 skills, while in other versions, it's 4. If your skills match, it means you downloaded the wrong wheels.
For a combat race, luck always helps save troops. And machines mainly help with small armies. They are very good for rushing in the first weeks. I usually upgraded the Knight with Light, Leadership, Luck, Attack, and Defense in campaigns.