Chats around
the Groaning Board
Grab a chair and a goblet of lager; lend an ear to the advice and experiences of other players in this old tavern of wisdom. Here you will find actual conversations and Q&As from in-game PMs/threads and official game forum sites (US, UK/international, Beta)
What units are best generally: Well generally speaking the first hurdle to overcome when fighting is actually being able to hit your opponent. The are several factors to this - 1) how far the unit can project an attack, 2) how far a unit can move, 3) when does the unit move. These factors will decide whom hits first, which is extremely important (remember damaged units deal less damage). The first army to land hits has the advantage. Thus, for attacking generally Artillery, Fast, and Ranged units are your go-to 'offensive' units. Heavy units are for defense and Light units are specifically for countering Heavy units. qaccy has a very good guide on the US Forum that breaks down a 'initiative' characteristic for troops, showing which ones move first and foremost.
How to be fast in GBG: Cennyan pointed out several good things on the US Forum about fast fighting in GbG. Reduce and remove programs running in the background of your computer that suck up CPU clicks. Get prepared for a battle to start by refreshing your army with undamaged troops. Manage your army in a efficient manner - if Light troops are not used much by you, get rid of them all for the age your are fighting in, this will place all Rogues in your Light Tab on Army Management. When in the midst of battle, let your troops loose 2 to 4 units before taking the time to "pitstop" and replenish them. If using Rogues and 2 main troops, only replenish one type at a time (this battle replace Rogues, next battle replace main troops). Also remember its faster to replenish than to replace, so unless you are hard-pressed to conserve troops, let them die off then replenish (when 2 to 4 are gone).
How to be fight in GvG: Gronzi states that it is simple, just follow these steps. 1) fill your troops into the army window. 2) press auto battle as fast as you can till you have no troops left. 3) repeat steps 1 and 2.
Rogues or real troops: Rogues are/were the way to battle up to SAM - 2 real troops + 6 rogues (don't rely on just 1 real troop, else when the one is gone, all the rogues die). However, once you make it to SAM, SAV, SAJM the Fast troops are so powerful -- first to move, most attack, can shoot nearly across the whole map... Makes fighting with 8 Fast troops more desirable than 2 + 6 Rogue. Furthermore, when a player has super high attacking bonuses, 8 artillery units are very devastating in the low/early ages.
How to Fast Fight in GvG: Some things that are essential - get your military boost GBs leveled up (CdM, COA, Zues), event buildings with military boost are awesome to have in your city (Gov Villa, new Chocolate thing, etc) -- these allow you to kill enemy armies more effeciently and thus preserving your troops. Get your Traz up to boost your supply of troop (becuase they are like ammunition (disposable). Use the 'Auto" fight button and align the button graphics together (WHAT???). Check out this video by MooingCat.
What is the most important support a Fighting Guild / Fighter needs? Most when asked this question will respond; fighters. I argue, not true. The MOST important thing is Treasury Goods!!! Without Treasury Goods you cannot fight (in GvG or GbG) and goods are used FAST!!!!! So the most important support is having players with high Arcs, high Obs, and so forth PLUS the additional donation of goods to the Treasury. Especially lower age goods, as everyone want to advance up the age ladder a guild ends up with little to no one earlier than FE. These lower ages are in special demand for fighter and fighting guilds.