Does commanding and army actually help?

I usually let my army auto battle, but does commanding give you a better chance at winning/defending

Absolutely!

Most definitely! This aloes you to hold your troops back and outrange your enemies with your cats. Also, cavalry charge forward and suicide when they are not commanded.

that would explain why i lost 2K prestige one time

absoulteley this allows you to hold troops, advance troops, and command how you want them to target

Lets put it this way.

You don't command, you don't win. Your cavalry will charge ahead like mentally handicapped kittens, your infantry will not guard your cats (But of course, the enemy cats will have a target.) and the Archers and Catapults? Then charge forward shooting.

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[Sylarius]

Quite surprised that this question was even asked. o_O

You know how dumb the AI looks advancing cavalry and infantry into your catapults, allowing you to slaughter everyone holding the fort while you hang back? Well, that's the way it commands your army if you don't do it yourself.

Learning what the action button was for on my third day playing was the most important knowledge I've picked up about this game.

I wish i would have learned about it before lvl 12.