Policy: Attack general = Buff, Defense general = Buff, Mayor = Debuff; among base stats prioritize Attack. Named per-role combos exist for Ranged, Ranged+Siege, Ground, Mounted, Monster-Hunt, Siege, Wall Defense, and Mayor (excludes Imperial/Parthian/Civ). Key set rules: full Ares/Achaemenidae set = All Troops Attack +25% when attacking (+ Ground & Mounted Atk & Def +25% vs monsters); full Achaemenidae set = All Troops Attack -15% (LOST if you mix any Ares in). Monster-hunt build swaps in the Courageous Dragon Ring (only ring with double-item-drop) but its set buff drops to +15% All Attack. MAYOR is debuff-only on an Achaemenidae base: Axe (only Ranged-HP debuff), Armor (only Mounted-Def debuff), Fearless Ring (only Mounted-HP debuff). Mayor craft order: Courageous Achaemenidae Ring -> Helmet -> Axe/Spear -> rest. Full mayor debuff targets reach Ranged Atk -600%+, Siege Atk -600%+, Ground HP -600%+, Ground Def -450%+, Mounted HP/Def -300%+ (all capped at HALF the enemy's buffs).
Original research source: Evony Guide Wiki
