As has been noted above, cheap Guard units work the best. It means burning a Lvl 1 Troop Slot on Peasants, but the resulting Militia is well worth the benefit of hanging onto provinces. And buying stores is a good way to get decent (not great) gear for your Heroes.

The first few times I played, I was confused by the "Store" locations out in the wilderness, because you can talk to Storekeepers without having to fight their guards. They tend to sell high-end equipment (if you have the gold), but even the generic items that they sell (Shortsword, Chain Mail) will usually be more expensive than stuff that you buy from one of the buildings you might build in your Capital Province.

In terms of unlocking Pubs/Taverns and then Theaters, that's where the strategic game play in the Shards matters a lot, as you have

Militia is actually a prerequisite for several of the rank 2 unit building upgrades. Also their upgrade gives you +5 XP to any new recruit (in addition to giving you a highly economical guard type).

Yes, I remember being warned in the game that independent stores are more expensive (it specifically cited it costing 2x to repair equipment there)

Wow not sure which level your playing this game at but I would love to know how your taking on barbs with a fresh out of the gate Scout Hero and surviving. Also wonder why you waste time giving him sparks as his ranged atks would do more damage.

Also sending him to fight Undead is odd because Skelies have such high damn Ranged resistance.

My usual tactic is to get whichever hero I choose, usually mage or scout, and give him 2 Pikemen (the ones with first strike). These are REALLY good vs militia, slingers and spearmen especially when backed up by your hero. This gets me those "Free Settlements" Also unlock Life Magic asap for Healing spell for your Pikemen.

I play the single scenarios on Expert level and can win half the time or a little less. I really hate how the computer can be so super evil and still somehow get an alliance with Elves and just kick my arse with those elvish archers. Especially when I tried so hard to be good so I could get alliance with them lol. I actually was Honarable and Just, he on the other hand summons undead and demons and get alliance with the "good guys" go figure.