i used to complain about this too and was mad because we started loosing cities to guilds that didnt deserve any (alts, not enough actives, lower power, etc). it forced us to seek new strategies and we found them. trust me, there is ways. first you have to understand the in-game mechanics about durability, the buffs, difference of attacking and defending (no i am not joking!). dont exit GW, watch the fights after its over by just staying on the screen and looking at the replays as they where in order.
to give you some pointers: dont forget you will be in the form you entered and cant change that, there will be heals after every round at A, D and G (50% heal to dead heroes too! meaning you have to survive with just 1 hero). durability effects both, you and the others. communicate and not just charge, try to skip stronger players, they dont have to be killed, no one like koleton unless it gives a penaly to your opposing guild, ...

it works, we where down to 4 cities when the devs screwed up the GW, we adapted and now have all back except one. dont get mad, use your brain, dont forget its just a game, have fun and look at it as another challenge.