First and foremost, what is the purpose of raiding? I believe we are trying to disrupt an opponents economy, throw them out of their rhythm, disrupt their normal build plan, make them spend more resources than you to defend against the raid, etc.
Why is most raiding restricted to early classical?
I'm very rarely raided throughout the game. Possibly if the opponent is the Mongols I will be raided from classical on, but otherwise I have that first Horse Archer raid and nothing more. I believe the horse archer raid has both quickness and also less risk as an advantage. After early classical the chance that towers/castles/military units are present make raiding more risky and thus few players continue to raid.
If the general population agrees with these two questions, or more accurately my answers to these two questions. That would mean we expect a certain amount of raiding at classical and other than that the ancient age is one of economy building only, with the exception of course of an ancient rush. I would also tend to believe that raiding is only going to occur during the classical age and later ages will be devoid of raiding.
If you are the lesser player in terms of ability to carry out your strategies/thoughts such as I am in RON currently, you need a trick. I'm hoping with experience that my execution of strategy and the knowledge I have on RON will improve until then, I need a trick. So, a person like me needs something that the other opponent is not expecting. Raiding seems like it may be able to fill that purpose.
Until I see a person hit classical, I'm not worried about raiding, are you? I won't have any military, unless I hit classical before my opponent or I believe an ancient rush is forthcoming.
Why don't we see more barrack type raids? So, why not? Let me hear your opinions. WhiskeyPete
How many citizens to you have to destroy to equal the econ costs for 1 of each barrack type unit not taking into account any mental mistakes this early raid may cause?
Have fun out there,