I have also played this game for over 5 years and played in many worlds, with O world being the last world I play in where I reached No1 player and miles above everyone else. I have now left the game in all worlds by having my account deleted, because the inno have ruin this game for so many top fighters by keep moving the goal post.
I have enjoyed playing this game over the years, and belived it was the best game ever, but last year inno went to far with changing the order of turn with the rogues and down grading railguns, then had to nerve to put up the cost of diamonds by 25%.
And yes inno never take notice what players have to say or their veiws, and only intrested in making more and more money from us all.
Action speaks loulder than words, so do what I have done and say goodbye to innogames and find another game to play like so many other great players I use to know have already done. Innogames are the losers here losing so much income from so many players who have stop buying Diamonds like my self, so now I will not be missed by innogames, and only by the 1000's of friends I got to know over the years.
As for GE, yes you can complete GE with out spending diamonds, but only if you are in the lower ages, and not if you are in AF, which is a impossible task.
Overtype is right about having to fight manule on certain maps and up against certain units in defence if you want to win and be over 20.000 fights above anyone else in your world, plus you must learn all about each unit and what benefits they has to offer and by using the battle field to your advantage.
Its been nice playing this game and meeting so many people, but I no longer enjoy this game after all the changes plus the bugs in the game are at their worse now and always crashing or locking up.
I wish you all the best, enjoy life and have fun..
Bye.