**Reflections on Seven Years of Strategic Warfare and Community in Gaming**
Reflecting on my early experiences in this game, I recall starting my first castle and casually exploring the gameplay. Initially, I acquired a few tier 3 units while casually battling those who attacked me, unaware of the significance of shields. This was around day 30 of my journey. It was then that I learned about rallies; after being attacked by eight waves with a large guild and a tier 4 player, I faced a significant setback and lost everything. Frustrated, I invested a few hundred dollars into the game and eventually secured my tier 4 units. This led to a series of intense battles against their team, resulting in epic confrontations with their top player. I joined a coalition that was also opposing this rival guild, which subsequently expanded to include a sub-guild that I was entrusted to manage. Tasked with developing their weaker players, I successfully transformed the sub-guild into a formidable force, eventually surpassing the original guild in strength. When they requested I step down and join the main guild, I declined, resulting in months of warfare. My guild ultimately conquered the kingdom, and I forged lasting friendships along the way. However, as my kingdom opened, powerful players equipped with full champion gear and formidable 11k heroes began to emerge, overwhelming those without shields. I decided to migrate and engage with some of the best guilds in the game, investing significantly to acquire two 11k heroes , mythic and nearly complete full mythic champ gear. I engaged in thrilling battles with top-tier guilds, successfully defending against up to 30 simultaneous rallies and capturing numerous enemies, bloody baron battles, glorious kvk, and joined some of the best guilds in the game. As new features such as familiars and tier 5 units were introduced, the game became increasingly challenging. The emergence of astralite and artifacts added another layer of complexity, making it difficult for even seasoned players to compete effectively in large-scale battles. Although I can still eliminate 8-10 million units per rally, the introduction of maxed titans with tier 15 champ gear and maxed astralite could potentially raise that number significantly. To new players, I advise enjoying the game, as it offers immense fun, but also caution against overspending. My expenditures have ranged between $70,000 and $100,000 over approximately seven years of gameplay. While the game is entertaining, it is not an equal playing field; a single pla
