What am I doing wrong?

noob questions.

from Elemental Forums

So I've been following FE ever since it was announced. I'm in the Beta because I own Elemental (which I rarely ever played because I was going through a backlog of PS2 games at the time).

I die. a lot. Even on Beginner. I try following what people keep saying on these forums (spamming pioneers is broken!). So I spam pioneers, and it doesn't seem to do me any good, and those colonies usually get snagged pretty fast by the enemy.

I try spamming archers, I've read that's "broken". they get swarmed and die.

I tried making balanced towns, and evenly spreading out military tech/governing tech and magic tech. The result was awful.

I try rushing military, nothing.

I try rushing magic tech, nothing.

I've yet to make it beyond turn 300 or so without my game turning hopeless (every faction hating me, or demanding tribute, wild monsters brutalizing my troops.

28,047 views 4 replies
Reply #1 from Elemental Forums Top

Without seeing how you're playing I can't really tell what you're doing wrong, but here is my quick start guide:

 

Always settle a spot with 2 Essence at the start. Higher Materials are preferable to Grain, but it isn't strictly necessary.

Always cast Inspiration on your city the first thing you do.

If you don't have Meditation nor plan to do a magic strategy start, cast Sovereign's Call. EDIT: But replace it once you hit pop cap, of course.

Immediately go to your tech tree. Learn Civics. Continue researching here until you have at least the first two columns of stuff.

 

Got your first city? Great!

 

Find the nearby Level 1 Champion. Hire them. Use this champion to pick up goody items and deliver the useful ones to your Sovereign.

Cast buffing spells on your Sovereign (Evasion, Stoneskin, Regeneration, and Tutelage are good ones). Just make sure you have mana growth.

Capture as many shards as you can, with priorities for those increasing the above (if applicable)

Take your sovereign and kill everything in sight so long as you can kill them.

 

While you're killing you'll probably find a few spots to settle. Take the good ones. You only need 3-5 cities to really do well.

Enchant these cities with Inspiration as soon as they're down (if they have Essence).

 

That Civilization research done by now? Pick up Leatherworking, Training, and Mounted Warfare.

Purchase a horse for your sovereign.

 

At this point you can go in whatever direction you need but you've created a solid foundation with which is it very easy to win with, from my experience.

 

 

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Reply #2 from Elemental Forums Top

Madcatter has it spot on. Even on challenging, this method gives you too much of an edge.

Siege of Centauri
Reply #3 from Elemental Forums Top

Its a nice quick-start guide, not perfect but nice to teach people about the game :D Madcatter.

Also try watching some of the Lets play videos posted.

Sincerely
~ Kongdej

Reply #4 from Elemental Forums Top

This is shameless advertising, but I have some pretty good strategy in my let's play videos. Das123 has some great stuff too. I think watching someone else play is the most effective way to learn. 

By the way:

I try spamming archers, I've read that's "broken". they get swarmed and die. ====> Archers are the most counterable and weakest units. Stay away!


I tried making balanced towns, and evenly spreading out military tech/governing tech and magic tech. The result was awful. ====> You want to focus on hero leveling first off. Conclaves are usually the best starting city specialization. Find a good 3/4/0 spot later on to make a nice Fortress. Towns are only needed once you have those two. And only build a Town on a high grain, low material/essence. Its only strength is supporting your military with money.


I try rushing military, nothing. ===> Leather and Spears is really all you need for a while.

I try rushing magic tech, nothing. ===> Getting Enchantment for the Lightning Hammer and magical staves is a decent military choice.


The early game is a game of Civilization teching. You want to manage getting more food and production. Growth can be gained best from the city enchantment Sov's Call. Some more will come from actually leveling your Sov. 


If the AI is demanding too much tribute, don't pay the enemies that are far away from you. Their armies will be few and far between.