Treewhippet,
you have a good spirit. Win by strategy is how I play this game too!
Now guild banner makes you nuts. I know ghosts and vamps are tough and extra 20 minion points is a big handicap for starters.
I also know why everybody does not really listen to you. You will fined more unfairness as you play more.
For example, most of advance players can use 750 mana. With mana refill, they can use upto 1,500 mana.
Some spend gems on scout that tells the location of all invisible traps in advance.
They can disable traps and rooms in advance that you built with many imp hours, tons of gems and deep strategies.
On the top of such advantages, they also have an immortal revive for backup.
Strategy is meaningless. Money can buy the victory.
I hope EA looks at your post and think more about win by strategy that would attract more players.