By the way, how do you guys feel about "pseudo-diplomacy" for solo players? I’ve been tossing around the idea of messaging the diplomat of the biggest neighboring Pantheon and offering a weekly resource tribute in exchange for a non-aggression pact. Or does that completely ruin the whole "lone wolf" vibe of the challenge? I'm really curious if any of you have actually pulled off a protection money setup like that just to get them off your back so you can build in peace. 

Paying a resource tribute is definitely not the lone wolf way, that's more like being a vassal! Plus, big alliances usually smell weakness with offers like that. You pay them 10% today, and tomorrow they just come back to take the rest because they know you won't fight back. True solo play isn't built on treaties, it's about being a completely unprofitable target - empty warehouses, troops permanently tucked away in the Acropolis, and a quick counter-strike when they least expect it. 

Paying tribute is just a fast track to becoming a permanent farm. If you're playing solo: keep your resources at zero, keep your off tucked away in the Acropolis, and stay under the radar on the leaderboards. Or negotiate a NAP through private DMs, but never show weakness.