I 100% know where you are coming from on the 20 levels above you attacks... oh man, those were so frustrating and just killed my spirit. But I set goals and trained and allied the right people and got to where I am today. Not #1 but close, and maybe closing in, I don't know..
The issue with being at the top and only fighting players your own size is, this game is still new. Not too many players in the top ranks and with all the top players in the top three gangs, it would get PRETTY boring with Super Villains VS Pestilence 24/7. Is that fair to us? Is that fair to Pestilence?
Sesame Street Mafia did what was needed to secure their place in the game by allying Pestilence. It paid off right?
My suggestion is to ally ANYONE and EVERYONE not allied with pest and work on your communication. If it takes them 2 gangs to kill your one, then get 10 gangs vs. their two. there are over 90 gangs in this game, there are allies to be sought.
try the Villains, and since the 499ers are, then this goes out to all those other gangs, ally The Super Villains and 499ers.. let's band together and show AL who is boss....
Sounds like a turf war is coming about...