I think there needs to be a distinct difference between RAIDS and SIEGES. A raid should be conducted quickly with little destruction of property or life. Where as a siege should be a prolonged affair with aims to cripple or destroy a villages ability to function.
I feel a raid should be able to use the previous method of rams. If a village is vigilant they should be able to withstand a raid easily. If a raider is able to access a village with a ram they should have a time frame from the point they enter a village to exit the grounds before receiving SHP damage. This will limit destruction of objects and camping hearth fires.
A siege should involve greater resources, shut down movement from the village via teleportation and allow for greater destruction. With no time limit. It should be a formal declaration. I like the flag options mentioned in other threads.