So, I just tempted Ezras with a massive pile of units backed by a hero and dragons hidden under a few Light Cavalry. Then I dropped him a provocative message and watched him move in for the kill and huge XP that should have been his reward... if it had all been Light Cavalry or weaker
His powerful stack was wiped out, but because my hero had such great odds she only gained 2 levels
This was a two-turn trap, after Ezras had handily decapitated one of my better heroes and lost only 1 unit in the process.
Meanwhile, the hero/ally system needs reworking because if you're wealthy you will have Dragons coming out of your ears! Why buy production when you can have 10 heroes and 20-30 Archons/Dragons?
In another game, my friendly competitor Girafot was threatening me with a Dreadlord. I had the superior odds, couldn't afford to let him be on the offensive, so I hit him... with only 60% probability of success. And lost. Later, however, the RNG gave me back my dignity when the same hero (his main/highest) attacked my main hero with over 60% probability of success... and lost
Granted, Girafot is way ahead. I'm not going to win the game. But sometimes a little vindication feels good
In another game, Kenc8 had me in the grinder. I had more cities and a larger army, but by superior play he reduced me to 1 hero and an equal army count over the course of several turns. However, the pressure of the constant attacks convinced him that it was only a matter of time, and he resigned. Again, I'd like to state that as far as gameplay skill goes he was kicking my ***, but it seems the mental game is big too.