I think u just described the way beginners of red alert do.  The most important thing is  to keep the balance of money flow and weapon flow. The weapon flow contains the tanks, people, dogs and other things  attracting the fires. Beside that u should  know well the microperation. U may lose with more powerful and larger amount weapons facing a master. That 's the difference!  U should keep the balance of power and flexibility. At the same time the stratagem is required. Sometime masters look one way and row another.  The top master also should  know well the individualities of the rivals.  It's really the art of war!  I love it!