I keep myself entertained by trying to to get my team to use group tactics. Trying to get people to join a battalion, carry the flag around... stuff like that. When i'm doing that, i enjoy cRPG much more. It doesn't feel like a grind then. Every round is a fresh chance to win.
I often die early, leading some charge into a large group of enemies. Then i spectate. This is fun to me:
It gives me something to do when dead, which is nice. You can only spend so much time on buying equipment and pondering new builds.
So when dead, i spectate. I zoom out, look at the map as a whole and try to think of a plan. You'll be amazed how much you can see if you just look at the battle from a little distance*. I'm trying to see where- and how players get advantages like: facing a single opponent with multiple players, fighting while having ranged players supporting your fight and giving an area of cover, fighting with cavalry support, etcetera.
Then i run through different scenarios in my head. Would my team be willing to (just an example) try going far left? Or do they want to camp some hill? Would flanking work or is it likely the enemy team counters that by taking up different positions? Is the other team trying tactics? Do they switch it up or use the same plan every round? Who and what are the priority targets?
And when this gets boring or repetitive, i try to entice other players to try suggesting new plans or even to lead for a few rounds. Apart from the occasional and often valid criticisms on my somewhat simplistic tactics, this generally leads to lots of positive feedback and a good atmosphere in-game.
There is so much depth and possible variation to random battles, this is an almost endless challenge. Way more interesting than the many, many other games i've played. I've even taken to creating and equipping my characters so they make a good character to lead from. Having a mount, for example, really helps. Mobility is key.
And if the tactics get boring, i start messing around with odd equipment. Buying and trying new weapons and equipment can be fun. I've also taken to trading equipment and horses at spawn, to try different heirloomed items or stuff i haven't bought yet.
But mostly, i entertain myself with the endlessly fascinating group behaviours that occur during most battles. I bet a psychology student could write an interesting paper or two on that.
* - I do play on a 27" monitor at 1920x1080, so there is still a lot to see when i 'zoom out'.
