Stop being happy with 2k wood. Here is the benchmark for a "good" hit on a :

In the early stages of Ikariam, the Barbarian Village on your starting island feels like a gold mine—or more accurately, a resource mine. It’s a guaranteed win that provides a quick injection of building materials. However, as the levels climb and the barbarian army grows, many players wonder: as a recurring source of loot, or does the cost of rebuilding your army eventually outweigh the rewards?

Unlike raiding a neighbor, the Barbarians won't send a message to their alliance or launch a counter-attack on your capital. It is a "safe" way to practice battle mechanics and farm resources without sparking an inter-island war. When Leveling Up Becomes "Worse" (The Cons) 1. The Wall and Combat Logic

Do not attack as soon as you log in. Here is the 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.