So there is some protection issues for sure but I have another idea. What about gaining protection after attacking? 3 hours after winning 6 hours after losing? Better yet random 1-4 hrs winning or 1-8hrs losing? help prevent passing and promote more aggressive game play? More troops lost more probability of better prot. Sending 1 troop out to purposely gain protection would only be 1, eventually your run out of generals and it wouldn’t be worth it.
