I don't think everyone plays MP Dominions 3 games simply to win. In fact, thinking on the subject made me remember the classic Magic: the Gathering personalities.(
http://www.wizards.com/Magic/Magazin...om/daily/mr280). I think many similiarities between Timmy, Johnny, & Spike can be applied to the way players approach MP games.
Timmy - tends to take awake SCs/strong blesses. Deploys strong, powerful units that can be employed in a simple fashion.
Johnny - someone who looks for combinations of spells, or continually finds new uses for uncommon items or spells, etc. Takes over hopeless sub positions just to see what they can do. Perhaps focuses heavily on diplomacy instead of the traditional means of achieving victory.
Spike - Exercises efficiency at all cost, using only the best available units/spells at all times. Every decision is made with a thought to how it will bring them closer to domination over all the other players.
Obviously people are going to be a mix of each category, but most importantly the goals for each are not always winning the game. Timmy might be satisfied winning a single war, or even just seeing their SC wipe out hordes of enemies in a single battle. Johnny may be happy when their specific combination of spells catches an enemy unprepared, or if they pull off a massive sneak-attack. Spike is probably the more like the typical MP player you described, but I doubt it's even the most common. However I suppose you do have to practice some level of efficiency, or you simply won't live long enough to achieve your other goals
