Idk either, I generally attack people before they can attack me. Defense is never hard, for any period of time. YOU don't defend for months. You probly have 3-5 people a day doing it, so that's not a real valid point. Personally I think the HC system is stupid. But I hate pretty much everything about age2.
No. Botting doesn't make players good. There are AMAZING botters with 2b+ upkeep cities that I've rocked, and my army was hardly ever over 1b.
It is not improbable that people don't know mechanics. It is very probable. It's easy to bot. Not as easy to learn every counter to every attack/defense and be ready to do them mid fight whilst hand timing etc etc.
There are 3 parts to a good player. Botting. Have to be able to bot, point blank period. You have to.
Knowing mechanics.
Using the mechanics.
Lot's of people know when a naked mech should be applied, but for whatever reason can't pull it off when required.
Your cities force you to not be able to truce/port/holiday them. I don't truce/port/holiday because I'd rather lose. That's the difference.
Hero caps and no instant troops are also a negative point for me.



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