Thanks, Plato,

I've begun trying out GA mode. It seems to require more knowledge of the game. So far the only crusade I've tried was a dismal failure, so I'll study tips and practice that separately. I was following frogbeastegg's advice to beginners to start with the domination mode, since you're freer to do what you want.

I hadn't thought yet about the strategy of thwarting your rivals GAs as well as promoting your own. So I'll keep that in mind, too.