A "troop sink" is commonly referred to as battles. Until, players of all stripes are forced into battle, armies can grow almost indefinitely.

The end-game is there, but you have to look at the bigger picture. One alliance control over a state... then one alliance control, period.

The idea of these being symptoms reminds me of something... I can't quite put my finger on it... Oh, yeah, kassikas, you blasted me in another thread for essentially the same ideas. lol I tell ya, monkies are growing on trees these days.