Other people seem crazy to me. Ive been at this game for a while. It does not seem like a pay to win system to me. Of course, paying is a very good option for the power hungry and the impatient, but I have not payed anything and yet I still have some of the (less expensive) elite units. They provide a way for people to get that stuff without paying money. Its just very hard and time consuming. But definitely worth it. Id consider buying coins, but I havent yet. Great game. Better than any "base builder" (this is a way different genre of base builder, reminding me more of the old civilization games than anything else). It blends that with RTS perfectly. I love it!
One thing only. There should be more troop types. Elite troop types even. Even more versatile. Suggestions from other games include Halberdiers: heavy armor spearmen who are somewhat decent against foot troops. Prodromos: Cavalry specifically meant for killing other cavalry. Horse archers: would probably be based on the charge ability, firing arrows instead of speeding up for charges. Defenders: have tower shields meant specifically for defending, holding units in one place for a long time.
Bajoc of the North master should give one battalion of free mercenaries in single player. If this game had improvements like this, would be 5 stars. Future updates will make this game much better yet I should think