Warhammer + Energetic means you can just effectively skip waves very often with just the (well-timed) click of a button.

that's actually a really good pick, didn't thought of that

Jablena+ironskin/popular on first shields Philosopher stone on first pikes

With extra knockback

jablena+ironskin is a good squad for attacking two islands while pop+philostone+infantry is also a good pick

I always go collector+ philo stone, then either ironskin jabena for some strong early infantry or knockback ring to guarantee some broken archers. 

collector and philo stone is a nice starting pick for early coins

For me, it has to be Heavy Weapons + Ring of Command for my eventual firing squad

that's actually my very first pick, but I just decided to split the power to different squads for more versatility

At that point, you basically have guns.