Opening post by Past100 · #1
Let us begin with the number everyone has repeated incorrectly, because a higher keep level is not power if the walls stand empty. When coin offers a keep upgrade or more troops, buy the troops first; a level cannot march, defend a gate, or punish the lord who left his garrison thin.
I hold a level 13 keep with 5,783 power and 1,518 troops, and that is why I distrust the proud little leap to level 14 when the barracks are still begging. Spend coin on training before polishing the roof; yesterday I swore to [SITH], and I would rather arrive useful than impressive.
Do this in order: check the rival keep, count what you can actually send, then reinforce your own garrison before upgrading buildings. A keep level is a ledger entry, not a victory; troops turn coin into pressure immediately, while a grand empty shell merely invites arithmetic, and perhaps vodka.