if you run into the typing "v" going into browser search problem (on Firefox), just disable "Search for text when I start typing" at about:preferences#advanced
I have found a compatibilities chart
http://img822.imageshack.us/img822/8900/shopempire2.png
which I have remade in google docs for easy reading
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AvPYirMzi28xdDBGYXltWGFpVkF3cVlLZXk4MWRGTkE#gid=0
for kate centertown, from dervex http://www.kongregate.com/accounts/devrex/comments
the first epic level... this is how I did it, can't say it's the best (just caught the boss) but I'll write it down as it took me so embarrassingly many tries to finish the level:
level 24 with points in all the mana skills
upgrade mana pool a few times until round 4, then buy first level 4 crystal
upgrade mana pool once again and buy second level 4 crystal (to get rid of triple boss comfortably)
towers in the bendy-est parts of the road and a few water trenches close to the entrance
upgrade mana pool more, until max is around 6000-9000ish
stop mana pooling and buy crystals, at least level 4. When you have 4 lv4 crystals buy a lv6 too. And place them
Maybe buy one more crystal of lv5/6
The heavy armoured creeps should be no trouble, and finally the boss will come. Keep the lv6 crystals following the boss around, and either let it run a lap or build towers to finish him off before he gets to the end.