Crafting Cores must start with the fundamental question: What is the intended purpose of this Core Set? Today, let's go further into how to answer that question.
Your primary function is leading your Alliance against your opponent. To do this requires an Attack set of Cores. The best strategy when attacking any opponent is to use a single Troop type. This means Crafting Cores with a single Troop in mind.
The rotation we use is normally Infantry > Ranged > Cavalry > Infantry if the enemy has evenly mixed troops. See which troop are strongest against others in this post.
Pro Tip: In the case of a triple Rally we usually have the strongest Hero attack third, because he stand the best chance of freeing the first two Heroes if they get captured.
Back to Rally leaders...
First, make sure you have a Troop specific core for each equipment spot. In some cases you may have to substitute a general attack core for a Troop specific Core, this is OK to do.
Next, make sure you have 42 attack pieces for your core set and make sure you are Crafting for strategic Troops. A piece like Smoky Barbeque sauce is for regular Troops only, it will not help you at all if you are using all Strategic Troops. In some cases you will find that using Antique Pottery or Glass Shard, which are both general Strategic Attack Pieces, are better than using a Troop specific Piece.
What it boils down to is how many Pieces do you have to use and how many Cores do you want to make. Are you wanting to Craft a set of Cores for three Troop types? Before using a general attack piece consider whether or not you have enough Pieces for a different troop type. As an example, Ranged pieces are pretty easy to come by whereas Cavalry pieces are harder. You might only have 4-5 type of Cavalry pieces to use and will have to use a general attack piece instead.
You want to follow the same general principles as Rally leader except you will be making balanced Core sets that boost all Troops equally.
This does not mean making all general Troop Attack Cores. If you did this approach you would quickly run out of attack Pieces. A better approach is to make a couple Troop specific Cores for each type. For example, you could use the Warlord Helm and Roman Standard for Range, Prosthetic Leg and Cajoined Parasitic for Infantry, and a Centerion Spear and Ice Crystal for your cavalry. Maybe the one armed for your chest piece. This way you are giving good boosts to all three Troop types.
One of the biggest differences though would be to use the defense Pieces with the Core. The Core boosts your attack but the Pieces will boost your Health and Defense. You can also do the opposite, use a defensive Core and add attack Pieces.
Your superior Troop numbers will make up for reduced Attack Boosts while boosting Health and Defense will greatly lower the number of Troops lost. When you go to Gem these be sure and use Defense Gem on every Core as well. Hallows Gems are also great to use followed by the Rose Gem or Minotaur.
Your sole objective here is not to burn. All Cores and Pieces should be defensive based. Don't look for Troop Specific but rather use general Troop Defensive Cores and Pieces. Comet Cores are great for this as are Pareo Cores. Gems should be all defensive based as well: Defense, Minotaur, Hallows. Have your Alliance feed you Resources and Speed Ups so that you can keep building more Strategic T4 Troops. Get rid of lower tiered Troops.
In the end everyone's situation is different so you have to use what you have. There's no one way that you have to set things up. Look at what you have and your Troop numbers then decide what will work best for your situation. Always ask yourself, "what is the intended purpose for crafting this core?" That will guide you on what you want to do.
Core Strategy contributed by Badda OG
Article 1: All Core Crafting Basics Article 2: The Essential Core Crafting Strategies (Coming 12-10) Article 3: How to Craft Great Core Gear Article 4: Crafting Cores with a Purpose Article 5: Crafting Your First Core Article 6: When to Take Chances While Crafting Article 7: The Most Under Rated Core Gear Article 8: The Best Core Gear You Can Craft Article 9: The Deadliest Cores: Four Horsemen + 1 Bonus Core Recipe