Before the server even starts, you must decide on your primary development path based on your expected activity level.
Travian has always had Gold (premium currency). On a standard server, a gold user has an advantage, but time and coordination can offset it. On the Start Server: travian start server
Do not send your troops blind. If you lose your early army, you are set back by days. Always send a scout (if you have them) or raid inactive players (players with 0 population growth) first. Before the server even starts, you must decide
Once you have a handful of troops, the real game begins. Before the server even starts