To have a better chance of winning, you might want to build more than one base. Enlarge 
the base you start out with, making it completely fortified with at least two castles. 
Then, send a scout cavalry, or some other fast moving unit, to the opposite side of the
map from your base. After you have checked the area and confirmed that it is safe, send 
a villager to build a castle at that location and fortify that base. This is very helpful 
if your enemy knows where one of your bases is located, especially during online play.