I think I am >1400 vills right now purely because I farmed heavily early on, and continue to do so sporadically.
If I feel I need to get enough coins for an extra noble or two, then I'll rape any resources nearby, especially enemy vills which I have reduced walls and HQ on. Should the enemy stick some defences in there, then I get to hit them with a full nuke when the walls are gone or very low at best, so easy kills. Plus any resources taken from them will not be used for enemy troops/buildings/coins. So a win-win whether they defend or not.
You may argue - 'Just NOBLE IT!!' and I agree, but how many nobles do you think I have sat idle in my academies?
I think I have always had more targets and cleared vills than I have nobles and that's STILL the case even now after 1/2 price coins were introduced!! Perhaps I am just too active on nukin', but again, sending troops to vills is tantamount to farming, especially when the weaker players dodge for me! (Note to self - must add more cats).
In short - farm, yes - specifically, enemy vills
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