[OmikronWarrior]

To state the obvious: more=better(usually).

The game can be divided, roughly, into phases:

First phase- Taking Independent territories. The goal is to grab as many of these as possible. Depending on map size and starting position, this ends maybe around turn 12. Regardless, few nations are going to go to war when there are still indies to grab. A territory is a territory, and going after the territories somebody else has lets a third party grab the indies in the meantime.

Second Phase- Warfare based on national troops. Now that the indies are gone, a player has two options, peace or invade. Being Peaceful can be viable during the second phase, but only if its spend researching, site searching, etc. Merely defending attacks from an aggressive player is probably bad, as it will drain resources with out actually gaining you anything. Regardless, what fighting there is, is relatively low magic. Some nations might be able to mass produce sacred troops for a high bless, but mostly its going to be your normal troops trying to outmatch another guys troops. Thats not to say magic won't be used in this phase, it will be, but in general you fight with what you're given.

Third Phase- Magic becomes paramount. Summons, Globals, battlefield wide enchantments make any national army weak by itself. National troops still used, but only in support rolls. Thugs, SC, and items are the real resources.

Now, with all that in mind, DON'T FORGET ABOUT DIPLOMACY. If you're the biggest nation on the block, you also have the biggest target on your back. The second and third sized nations are going to start planning their strategies around you exclusively. Also, it may be wise to pass up some territories, because it will have you border more nations, which may force you into unnecessary conflict, or force you to defend beyond strategic chokepoints. Also, whatever you take you must be able to afford to defend. Whats the point of beating up on indies, when a well thought out enemy army can march right to your capital.

Other factors to consider: scales. Those with negative scales have to fight with fewer resources, and NEED more provinces to compete, fancy blesses not withstanding.