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scootediboo, I understand your pain, I played the first game a few years ago and thought the same thing and ditched it. Only now for some reason I've gotten the hang of it(sortof). I admit that I start on normal difficulty and play as far as I can on that, then I drop it to easy/casual. Then when I get stuck, I go back and try some of the challenges on easy to get more stars so I can go forward again. I go back on harder dificultys to level up a new character. Also, I love the characters, I've played all 3 FTP chars and like the variety and thought that went into them. I have yet to purchase premium content, but I intend to do so soon. Maybe I'll try hard on the original KR... p.s. Try Shadow Dodge on Mirage before you dismiss it.
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Saurian Nightscales start appearing on "The Underpass." I would recommend having barracks at the end. In fact, I would recommend barracks at the end on almost all levels after "The Underpass." (Including "The Underpass.") Then if the saurian nightscales get past the rest of your defenses, the barracks will stop them (so also have a archer tower by the barracks at the end.)