Starting and overall strategy tips

from Stardock Forums

Hi all

I need help with this pretty complex game: I've tried to play with 2 fractions (don't know their names but i'll try to describe them): first one was also first race in order (i think was "Empire"?). My hero was hack & slash knight. Problem was that he wasn't very strong even after 5-6 levels in direction of giving him critical change and such perks that should make him "successful in killing". Well he was "so so" and was very weak compared to magic caster creatures so I've avoided most of magic oriented combat until i've been lucky and some archers joined (don't know why, maybe AI felt pity for me so it made up that event :/ )

Also, being my first game, I strongly directed development at economy so I was researching economy based tech tree and was building buildings for improving growth, production etc... Same as with archers, AI let me found some hero that was good in administration so i've sent him into my town (question: for hero to be a governor of a town, he only needs to be stationed in town or is there another thing that he/she should do to become governor?) Problem was that after an hour I had only one rather developed city but also I've came across AI civs and it was like 3-4x stronger than me... so let me summary: brute adventurer hero + economy oriented civilization = not so well

 

Second time I've tried to play with second in row fraction, those dark mages. I thought "well, if I was pwned by mages so easily, maybe I'll pwnd them in a same way". Also I've changed my strategy in research and development so I was researching only first economy tech and they I've oriented onto the magic cause it seams that will give my hero a significant boost in killing. Also first thing that I've builded in town was the pioneers so I've sned them along with my hero to expand my kingdom right away

Well, u guess, it wasn't so efficient: my first town was weak for quite a long time and would fell after first monster attack cause I didnt have any defences whatsoever any my main hero was miles away. Also my hero was less efficient in killing that first kinght hero. Yea, he was shooting bolts but that costed a lot of mana and wasn't so efficient in killing (5 dmg max). The AI felt sorry here too and I've found wolf companion which could deliver 25dmg(!) with some "bite" skill. Also, another hero that was waiting out of the town at the beginning has a staff that could shoot bolts doing about 4-5dmg. So without those two I was as good as dead...

 

So... could u ppl give me some tips for new game so I don't become complete looser right away?

Also, can I train militia and make them experienced and when I research bows turn them into bowmen so I get experienced bowmen?

34,571 views 4 replies
Reply #1 from Elemental Forums Top

Hi.

 

I'm playing on Challenging so please take that into account. Maybe you should decrease overall difficulty of your game for start.


Also, my advice would be to reduce the monster frequency to "Moderate" and not have it on "Dense" if you do.

 

Other than that, your faction traits will influence what research and expansion strategy you should use, but let me give you some general advices that should help you in your gameplay. I'm always playing custom factions, by the way, and mostly Kingdoms.

 

1. Try to use two armies to farm monster XP - one with your sovereign, the other with your first hero who you can recruit at turn 1-2.

2. when you found your first town, build 1-2 Pioneers first and with them try to settle one more town (1. pioneer) and get some resources capped (2.pioneer). Use the safest locations you can see, which is to say don't settle on the location which has a big monster lair in vicinity.

3. Go with starting economy techs, then switch either to magic or warfare (also depending on your faction). You need one or the other to compete with the AI, and fast. You need some defending troops against monsters and for your first war.

4. When you encounter other sovereigns, take a look at the faction strength. If they are a lot stronger than you, expect a war soon. Especially if they're of the opposite faction (if they are Empire to your Kingdom). So start preparing (warfare tech as far as you can without spending too much time). By that time you should have ~3 cities, focusing on building them up and helping you research.

5. Don't despair when the war starts and you see Juggernauts coming your way :-). See what the enemy has and try to counter. Generally, I'd advise to (unit wise) be prepared for war with researched mages, unless you're playing Yithril or Magnar. They are not expensive (except crystal) and can help you against heavily armored enemies. I found that I'm behind AI with warfare tactics pretty long and then you need magic to compete.

6. Choose your battles wisely, especially against monsters. Bears with maul could be your end at the start, and don't tackle big monsters (unless you have to) before you're ready for them.

 

Many things are decided by luck - if you have chokepoints, enough time without a war to buildup, enough easy monsters to farm XP and at the same time no big monsters to wreck your ciites -> some or all of those things can improve your chances.

 

I guess other people will have more useful advice for you, but this is a start.

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Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting King_Felix, reply 1
1. Try to use two armies to farm monster XP - one with your sovereign, the other with your first hero who you can recruit at turn 1-2.

Could you give me a bit more tips about this advice: in the beginning I'm using both of my heroes to fight together because they are soft u8ntil lvl 4-5 and would die very very easy being alone. Also, I'm more curious about upgrading my "militia" units into archers/cavalry or other in the future - is it possible to equip builded militia unit after it gained few levels with a bow so they become archers? Also I've seen that warfare techs give you abilities to increase army size - can I increase army size of builded and leveled militia unit or is it alone forever (meaning that only newly builded units can increase in size?)

Siege of Centauri
Reply #3 from Elemental Forums Top

Sorry, I forgot to answer that question.

 

No, you cannot change the type of your unit (so for example if you build a spearman you won't be able to change it to archer). However, you can design units in such a way that it will be upgraded to better equipment once it becomes available -> for example, you start with some crappy spear (because it's available) but choose the option in the troop design to use the best spear available. So when you research better spears, your newly created spearmen will have better weapons. However, you will need to upgrade the already existing ones manually (there will be an option visible when you select the troop).

As for the armies - try to find weak enemy troops (bandits, darklings) and level up on them for start. You can use both your champions together for a while but they will not level-up so fast and you cannot cover so much terrain as you would with two armies. Ideally, if you have access to some summons, golems or support troops, try to build two armies. If not, just use them together until you're able to provide them with support.

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Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top

Good stuff King Felix - thanks!  Even as someone who played WOM and the early betas, enough has changed that I was struggling to get off the ground.  I'll give it another go with some of your tips in mind.  :)