Pitfalls from past games

[grizzle]

Explain exactly how grinding the same computer controlled mobs over and over waiting for a % chance drop STRATEGIC? compared to fighting over and controlling resources

gathering does not mean you clicking on a node. It can mean you and your hired minions sitting on a control point, flying your guild/nations banner, while they extract the ore to your capital or guild city along trade routes. Caravans are automatically formed and can be attacked by enemies. You can hire escorts to guard your caravans.

I didn't say grinding the same mobs was strategic.

Guarding a resource node isn't fun. There might be a fight, there may not be one. Sitting around waiting for one isn't fun. Trading/swapping/rotating flags throughout a territory with the enemy isn't fun. And the only reason to do it is to give loot to crafters. Crafting, gathering, and guarding resources for gatherers and crafters is not fun.