ok build defensive and offensive villages in a 2:1 ratio and start taking out nonaligned players in the area around you, that or attack your tribes rivals farm abandons but do not noble them unless someone else nobles them first. do not build hiding places at all or markets past 15 headquaters should stop at 20
remember it is a war game so war is inevitable
rembember you are dealing with people and some may take offense at your actions, if you must attempt to spy be subtle
and try not to anger tribes that are much much tougher than your own with very scary OD ratings