SET YOUR TAX RATE TO ZERO!

Once you begin training troops in earnest, you quickly realize the importance of Idle Population.  You can attack other players or Pictish camps anytime you want to refill your stores of resources and gold but only you can provide the Idle Population necessary to maximize troop training.

TIP:  For increased Idle Population, set your tax rate(s) to zero.

One of the easiest ways to increase your Idle Population is to set your tax rate(s) to zero.  Since your tax rate directly affects Happiness and Happiness determines your Population, set your tax rate to zero for the maximum amount of Idle Population.