[Gregstrom]

An awake SC pretender can make a big difference in expansion (try a Wyrm with Dominion 10). Beyond that you need to look at your national troops, as expansion strategies vary by nation.

Archers with an infantry screen is a reasonable route, though. One rule of thumb is that you want to be sending out an army capable of taking territories every 2-3 turns if you can. Knowing which nation you're playing would help.