Bit short on time, will reply to the rest in a bit, but in a nutshell....

YES ! We need a LOT more understanding of this game.

We don't know much of the mechanics at all. Part of it is discovery and mystery and calculations and all that, that is the fun part. The other part is trial and error, that is the not so fun part when you are playing a campaign, coz you want to play not test. :) :P