The ETM Strategy? (in General)

I'm thinking of starting out on a NCB using the ETM Strategy outlined in Help under Strategies. However how viable a strategy is this now? I have the feeling there are quite a few ToA tanks around to make this strategy not feasible in the long run.

I'd be hesitant to use something like this down low

I know we've been talking about this in private obviously but I figured I'd wait until a public thread to get the higher-up's opinion.

At this point in CB, although the top players are pretty much set, there's no denying the fact that the top 10 spots are SOMEWHAT solidified. Solare/Z/Slayer's departure will shake things up a bit, but let's face it - no up and comers are going to take it by storm.

People tat's at the top are gigantic, and their gear is overpowering - by the time someone accumulates enough cash/exp to catch up, the top guys will have already had enough time to upgrade/grow on their own.

That being said, PERSONALLY I see no benefit to new characters having a tank involved in the strat - all the EXP would be more benefitted to counter spell teams. In the 6 months of my NCB, I was able to get my DM to #3 (#2 if you don't include the retired player, although that placing may have changed recently) - which allowed me to do quite a bit of damage to spell-based teams. Sure, you could use EC in the same light against tank teams, but I feel that the stronger teams will just be too big for a 2-4 mil MPR character to counter.

It could be a lose-lose... I know I'm gettin farmed quite a bit regardless of not having a tank. By my strategy, I know if I really wanted to compete, I could buy my last two minions and look to equip a tank - I just don't know how well that would work if it was the other way around and you had a tank that hired enchanters.

Just my two cents on it - this was not to say I'm right as I feel my activity may fool people to think I actually understand the "x's and o's" of this game. I'm very naive to how it works, as I confirmed with this last tournament I attempted to play :) I just want to hear what others think: What are the pros/cons to tank/non-tank strategies? What's the simplest-yet-most-effective strat for a new character? What requires the least amount of equipment, and how can it be utilized efficiently?

Interested to see people's responses!