It really depends on the circumstances. Normally, you should either move your operation around from time to time, spread it out, etc. Or, if the map allows it, wall in hard and boom like crazy. When you want to consider whether to run or stay, think about the following:
- Where did the attack come from; is there any risk of your opponent launching a similar attack from the same direction, and if so, are you able to defend? If not, move.
- Do you have a reasonably safe spot with enough resources to which to run? If you're in a really resource-rich area, you should really try to defend it if at all possible.
- How are your allies (if any) doing? If they're doing great, ask them for some assistance in the form of either sending some of their army to help you or even attack the person that assaulted you (better idea) - if they're attacking anyway, you shouldn't have to fear a forthcoming attack from the enemy.
- How is your ability to defend the area you are already in? If it's a naturally defensive position, go ahead and stay.
- What kind of attack did your opponent hit you with? If you're in the early stages of the game, defense is probably the best. Later on, offensive power becomes so great that it's difficult to defend any position against determined attack (at least with walls and towers).
- Also consider the overall situation. If you have the extra wood, you should certainly spread out.
- Overall the best thing would probably be to move most of your operation elsewhere, but leave some of it in your town so that your opponent thinks you're struggling to rebuild if he comes back, and that you aren't a threat any more once he's killed your town a second time.
Mostly, though, it all depends on the circumstances.
Oh, and by the way: Damn you and all your kind to the seventh generation, Papias. May you rot in Hell, etc. But I'm still happy there are some people like you around. There's nothing like the satisfaction of killing that last villager - you won't get a free victory due to constantly pausing the game, lagging by running other programs, or even hiding your villies. I'm quite patient in such cases...
[This message has been edited by Mark_Aurel (edited 06-03-99).]