Posts from Tactics in BATTLES

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wAq-PIhqrY

Here's an interesting tactic for breaking through ranged defenses, which I don't think I've seen on streams. The same principle works with wolves/centaurs, etc. The only requirement for the main stack is its speed, so it can reach the target quickly. Choosing the "sacrificial" unit is more complex; most level 1 units are suitable, and ranged units work well.

Interesting approach.
I experimented with it.

Also, you can use the same level 1 units from the main stack as the "sacrificial" units.
For example, 150 Trolls and 6 Troll Hatchlings.
Or 500 Skeletons and 6 Skeleton Warriors.
The ranged units will start shooting either from the top stack, when they consider themselves weaker, or from the bottom stack, when they consider themselves stronger.
The main thing in this tactic is not to place a "hidden" stack in a direct line of fire.

Using this tactic can significantly reduce losses from ranged neutral units.

Analyzing the AI's behavior, I came to the conclusion that it considers potentially dangerous targets based on the number of turns. That is, the most dangerous are those that can inflict damage on this turn, less dangerous are those that inflict damage on the next turn, and so on.
Therefore, ranged units are always the most dangerous for us if we haven't teleported them or blocked them with a spell. A hidden stack is the least dangerous.