Attack
A full battle: the losers lose more soldiers. If you win, your soldiers bring resources home, and wall breakers can break the Wall.
How a battle works
The attack power of all attackers is compared with the defense power of all defenders and the Wall. Luck plays a small part. The winner loses fewer soldiers when the difference is big.
Battles between players
A failed attack never costs the whole army.
A lost defense never costs all the defenders.
A close fight is a standoff: nobody wins and the attackers pull back. They take no resources and do not damage the Wall. In a close fight both sides keep most of their soldiers.
Rust camps and the Great Clock
A win beats most of a camp's guards; a much stronger army beats them all. A far stronger army loses fewer soldiers, or none.
Resources taken
Soldiers that are still alive carry resources home. The Hiding Place protects some of each resource.
Defense
Guards at home defend your town. The Wall gives them more defense. Friends can send soldiers to help.
Warnings
You see an enemy army only when it comes close to your town. A Watchtower sees further with every level, and the closer the army comes, the more it tells you. Help and resources from friends always show.