troop first aid instants that would refund a portion of failed negotiation costs the way those things let you heal troops after losing them to an encounter.
That's true
Other than a catering only city - we all have hybrid cities, even though some are heavily tilted on way or the other. So, I wouldn't say it is unfair, but it is a bit unbalanced in favor of troop use.
When you think about it - a fairly balanced city or catering city has the advantage, because our currency for the Spire & Tournament is diversified, this allows us flexibility to pay for upgrades and research.
I try to keep my city as close to balance as I can, but it does tilt to catering a bit, because I cater once my troops have been exhausted or become ineffective - and of course province 26 + are very expensive.
I also, try to keep my troop wonders close to the same levels, the wonders need for my culture Bonus/wholesaler, grouping a bit but trying to keep them close in value.
For example - the Sunset & Simia - Seeds spent to produce Sentient Goods or Seeds saved through acquiring Sentient Goods without production cost - I don't want my Sunset my 17 and my Simia at 8 - because seeds invested in sentient are decaying at the rate of the Simia not the Sunset.
Troop Wonders - I want my troops to be close to the same level of durability - I don't want a level 20 needles and a level 3 Temple of Toads
Anyway,
Every time I progress to a new chapter, I am anticipating extreme difficulty - based on comments I have read in the forum or from FS peers, but so far, I have never struggled in research or upgrades.
Again, and again players stressed the lengthy duration required to get through Chapter 15. I sat in 15 for 6 months working on my Wonders. I completed the chapter in 2 parts - 1 completed the 3-star troops research took around 3.5 weeks and the 2nd part took another 3 or 4 weeks.
Though I do only have Magic Residences & Workshops - that is definitely an advantage, even so I don't think it would have cost me more than another month.
A lot of these players that rate Chapter 15 as difficult and to expect to spend months and months to acquire the resources.,... they tend to be players that are heavily invested in their troops. I think this is where catering, a balanced hybrid, or hybrid slightly tilted more to cater have the advantage, because catering requires diverse currency, which gives us the ability to do a bit less in the Spire or Tournament and then divert those resources to research and upgrades.
This is not a benefit for cities heavily invested in troops - they will always be able to complete a consistent number of encounters but will have a more difficult time - longer duration & higher loss to decay - than players that use both troops and resources for encounters.
This is not to suggest that every city heavily invested in troops has a rough time - there are many other variables, but I think it is a logical assessment of what might explain the accounts of difficulty in chapters.
Those of use that cater and use troops benefit from the vitality surge too, but it would still be nice to have a resource surge lol