The real saying is "A good offense is the best defense"... and that's exactly what a counter-attack is about : not defending but attacking instead, regardless of consequences.
Dominions favors turtling though. At mid and end-game it becomes more and more difficult to defend large armies when moving, forcing you to use troops as defense mostly. It's to be expected when a single unit can kill hundreds or thousands by itself.
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Often I must speak other than I think. That is called diplomacy.
* Stilgar
Show me a completely smooth operation and I'll show you a cover up. Real boats rock.
* Darwi Odrade
It is, in fact, the art of war. In reality, you cannot win without acting, however it is a dance of acting in a way which reveals no weaknesses, whilst forcing your opponent to make moves that will give his weaknesses away.
And without the actual loss of thousands of potentially innocent lives, it becomes a rather beautiful thing.
2nd favorite nation: Nifleheim: Bring cold death to everybody you see (except Abysia, first bring dominion to them, then attack).
Most favorite nation: Marverni: Push research at all cost, gem income second, while gathering quite a number of druids. Hope that the druids are combat ready when you need them.