[Chazar]

I think that it might be worthwhile to delve into battle mechanics and e.g. to show effective use of elephants against independents as a non-pretender based expansion, i.e. how to combine with other high-moral troops, low-budget shield, archers, use of priests for sermon of courage, etc.

I recall that I started out with Caelum and my first successful expanding was once I got some Mammoths and Wingless with a prophetized Seraphine fanaticizing. These first successes were encouraging to proceed in learning the game. And I know that some friends of mine were pretty confused losing against independents with the inital troops only and poor setup. What are those inital troops good for after all? How could a player use those? etc.

I think thought about such questions could be helpful to a learing player and prevent some discouraging losses...