[ToddF]

You will notice that the defenses are grouped such that both defenses in a group are of similar difficulty to traverse. Some of the groups are harder than others, but one defense from every group will be on the floor for every match. Which of the two choices happens to be on the floor is no big deal.

In keeping with the medieval theme, during those times politicking and treaty making was arguably a more valuable skill than outright warfare. If the game encouraged deal making, it would just be in keeping with the theme. But, I don't see that the benefits of deal making are all that tangible.

I could be proven completely wrong on the field, though, if two particular defenses prove to be particularly tough. Note that if ONE of the defenses is the hardest, alliances can just skip that one.