I also just don't like how time consuming this feature is. There's too much to do in this game and with little reward to upgrading the allies, total flop of a feature.
Yes. I'm also on record that they should review the RAZOR and BLADES business model.
Give away the Razor, SELL the blades.
This new ALLIES feature could have more strongly copied the GB model. It's not onerous to obtain GBs now, or even 5 years ago. The cost of entry isn't steep, 9 blue prints you have to earn, and some goods that generous members usually (in this day and age...) give you, or gosh - you have to buy from them.
Once you GET the STICKS, you add the BRICKS.
Just copy that idea.
But now, @ 1000 fragments EACH?
MY inventory is like a junkyard of discarded, broken cars. It's demoralizing to look at all the partial ALLIES I see there every day, and you're creating more of them, to be partially filled.
But one more thing. What's with you choosing for me yet ANOTHER new ALLY as my Historic Taverne task each week?
Your implementation is repressive. You reward me with yet ANOTHER new ALLY, to partially build. I can't exchange this new one you choose, with one in my inventory. I"m turned OFF by the HEROIC TAVERNE. You tell me what YOU want ME to work on. Nope. Not playing that game.
I have other ALLIES of higher potential value than what you put in the TAVERNE each week, for me to work on - that I
want to work on.
So until you give me my flexibility to design my own game BACK TO ME SO I can CHOOSE my own city plan - I'm going to minimize my time in that new feature of the game.
In summary: I'll play your new Allies thing, but you have to give players BACK their ability to choose, and lower the bar to even get one of these items activated so it's in my scope for consideration.