Well... fighting battles in map makes a big difference. Remember when Merlox was playing the SS hotseat early on? He'd capture an entire city with just a few general's bodyguards. Maybe he was cheating when he did that, but I don't think so, because he detailed the same kind of strategies I use when I do that. And were I not to fight the battles in map while other players are doing such things... well... I think I'd just find myself in quite the disadvantage. :P