What are you all complaining about? I've been playing this game from the begining and for once I can say: IT'S NOT PAY TO WIN. Let me explain why. Sure you can advance as fast as you want, you can pay only for that - advancement through the ages and some meaningless troops. You don't have to pay anything because the matchmaking system is close to perfect. It will never match You against an impossible opponent, and lately it will never match your alliance against an impossible opponent. Cheers!