Equipment Fundamentals

You should also be building a commander that focuses on speed bonus so you can support alliance members quicker.

While you should strive to build god commanders / castellans, most without money will not be able to so it is best to specialize your commanders and castellans. While you should always have one slot custom fit in an attempt of making a god commander or castellan, make sure you’re making other specialized slots to make up for your lack of funding.

Work towards a

90% Melee commander
90% Range commander
80% Travel Speed commander (Improve support speed time)
100% cost reduction commander for stationing offensive troops at other castles during war
Fire reduction castellan (50% fire reduction from equipment, 10 - 20% from firehouse, 20 - 30% from gems, 5 - 15% from hero)
2 equipment hunter commanders for Robber Baron looting
90% R / 90% M
90 R with high wall and moat capabilities
90 R with high travel speed and late detection capabilities

Try to have decent castellans at all castles, not just main. In the event of a large attack notice time, move equipment around to improve defenses.

You can also use gems to improve equipment. Gems work in a similar fashion except they are attached to equipment instead of holding an actual place amongst the equipment spots. The only gems really worthwhile are high leveled courtyard gems, fire reduction gems for fire castellan pieces, or high flank gems that allow for significantly more troops on the flanks.

Gathering

The best method of gathering equipment is to constantly be hitting Robber Baron Castles in all kingdoms. I personally have built commanders focused on finding better equipment so it’s a useful method of obtaining more powerful equipment as well. Once you’ve unlocked the Horseshoe (or clover if you’re more advanced) icon for your banner, put it on while you attack Robber Barons. You can also forge equipment in the alliance smithy once a day as well. GGS will often provide you with opportunities to earn specific equipment as well so always try and earn these pieces as they are some of the most powerful. The Plate of the Frozen Guard from Everwinter is a good example of powerful equipment offered by GGS.

* Numbers slightly improved with use of technicus

+29.1 melee soldier's combat strength

+16.2 early attack warning

+23.2 Wall protection