Unlike pillaging inactives (who eventually go into vacation mode or get deleted) or actives (who build hideouts), Barbarian Villages scale with your progression.
Many players avoid Level 3 Barbarian villages because they are "too hard." This is a mistake. Level 3 is actually the most efficient for advanced players.
The Comparison:
The "Better" trick: Use Spies before you attack. Even against Barbarians. If you send a spy to the Barbarian village (Cost: 500 gold), you reveal the exact unit composition. Why does this matter? Because sometimes RNG spawns a Level 3 village with 15 Mortars. If you send Steam Giants against 15 Mortars, you will die.
Adaptation is the key to being "better." ikariam barbarian village better
Nothing is worse than winning a raid but leaving loot behind because your ships are full.
There are two types of players: those who clear the village within 5 minutes of it spawning, and those who wait. Unlike pillaging inactives (who eventually go into vacation
If you clear the village immediately, you get a standard amount of resources. But the Barbarian Village has a hidden mechanic regarding resource generation. Over time, the village accumulates more resources and gold.
The Strategy: If you have the military power to defend the spot (or if you are playing on a quieter server), wait. Let the village sit for a few hours. The longer it stands, the higher the "interest" on the loot. The "Better" trick: Use Spies before you attack