Re: buying allys If these players are all small and farming you, simply grow and proceed again. Or buy spy defense and defense potions to protect yourself. They will go away when they cannot succeed against you.
SoS plunder per hit starts improving, but not to anywhere near the same level as with guilds. However the end of eb bonus does increase by quite a bit, it does not fully compensate to the same level as you would obtain with guilds. If you want SoS, I would advise completing your highlands and buildings volaries, or starting into the HF lands with ice trees before hand.
I've heard around the area that some people's plunder drop by thousands when they upgraded. Couldn't fine proof, however.
Mike, all upgraded increase allies bonus. But it also depends on the target you're hitting and where you are on the plunder curve. AB should go up against TFC for most players, but may go down for T4 EBs and below. Lots of factors play into it.
I heard a rumor that scout phases pay less than if u hit an assass phase. Could I have clarification?
No it's because scouts aren't "doing damage" I assume. Trust me I've done enough TFO's in the last week to know which pay more