Strategy Guides

[Aethelstan]

Please rep this guy . he´s doing great work that will help all players of IB2 and spares the team a lot of work that can be used enhancing other things!

[GRANTO]

its excellent.

[Riothamus]

Thanks guys, that's very encouraging!

I've been playing with MS word and learned how to create flowcharts with pictures.



I'll make sure I understand each correctly, then produce both prose guides (like above) and flowcharts.

Awesome!! Please see first post I updated it Theramines, lets update first post as needed

[Theramines]

Awesome!! Please see first post I updated it Theramines, lets update first post as needed

Great, I'll get straight onto it!

[saneel]

I play as romans, but the franks are so strong, they attacked and are spawning just stack after stack. Their troops are good and very cheap -.-

[the man, the myth, the legend]

Cool guide, Theramines...... and a fleur de lis for you efforts!

[Theramines]

I play as romans, but the franks are so strong, they attacked and are spawning just stack after stack. Their troops are good and very cheap -.-

If you're interested, I wrote a few (very, very long-winded! Sorry.) AARs about my H/H campaign as the Romans against them. They can be beaten, but it takes a lot, and I mean a lot, of fighting. See the Impressions from the Battlefield sticky.

I'd be very interested in your tactics and strategies, if you're interested in writing about it.

[Aethelstan]

I play as romans, but the franks are so strong, they attacked and are spawning just stack after stack. Their troops are good and very cheap -.-

You have to fight alot in this mod - thats wanted. Also its meant to be challenging - maybe just lower difficulty a bit if you are struggling.

Also with every faction you need to be aware, that you cant just buy everything (buildings, troops) its not easy to build up an economy that works, It has to be considered whats needed now and what has to be spared for later. That´s why this work here is so important.

Generally bring your economy up - maybe on cost of population losses. If you loose a city dont 'freak out' - take it back when you are strong. But better be agressive from start - dont be afraid to pillage. Carefull with adoptions and general recruiting - they have high upkeep.

In this case as romans I´d suggest trying to keep good relations with franks - even at costs - a sowewhat historical approach.

[Riothamus]

Im going to add more to the strategy guide for Theramines tomorrow

[Theramines]

Im going to add more to the strategy guide for Theramines tomorrow

Excellent! I downloaded Gimp (2D art program) last night because I thought the MS flowcharts looked a bit corporate and immersion-breaking. Ugly, actually. This weekend I'll sticky the prose building guides within the strategy guides. When IBIII is released I'll use the building pics from that to make the 2D flowcharts. By then, assuming I've learned how to use Gimp reasonably well, I should be able to produce something more appropriate.

[Riothamus]

Excellent! I downloaded Gimp (2D art program) last night because I thought the MS flowcharts looked a bit corporate and immersion-breaking. Ugly, actually. This weekend I'll sticky the prose building guides within the strategy guides. When IBIII is released I'll use the building pics from that to make the 2D flowcharts. By then, assuming I've learned how to use Gimp reasonably well, I should be able to produce something more appropriate.

Ok no rush on this my friend. It will be a progression until finishedon the first post. We will see its development in progress

WIP. Still working on this. When its completed I will post on page 1

1. Settlement Hall and Barbarian Chieftain Hall
2a. Civil Provincial Administrators or Regional rulers
2b. Military Provincial Capital Rulers or the settlements' Capital ruler

1. Settlement Hall
Roman and Romano Cultures Only
All Cultures(Editing) Romano cultures will have most but not all access. After the second level is constructed, the Barbarian style Governor Palace(Warrior Hold) cannot no longer be built by the Roman and Romano Culture. This building tree will be the governments' administration tree unless its destroyed by the player and the player decides otherwise.
(Does not require A building)


2. 1st level Barbarian Chieftain Hall
All Cultures(Editing). After the second level is constructed, the Roman style Governor Palace cannot no longer be built by the Roman or Romano cultures. The choice is made. This building tree will be the governments' administration tree unless its destroyed by the player and the player decides otherwise.
Requires 1st level Market
Requires Craftsmen
Requires Armory
2a. Civil Provincial Administrators or Regional rulers
3a. A Marchan: Pictavia Faction
3b. Comites Civitatus: Romano and Roman Factions
4c. Rí Ruirech: Gaelic Factions
5d. Ætheling:Germanic factions
3. Builds:
3a. 2ed level walls
3b. Courts of Law
3c. Academy
3d. Aqueducts


4 - Military Provincial Capital Rulers
All Cultures:
Requires 1st level Market
Requires Craftsmen
Requires a Warrior or Treasure Chest(1st level building in Castle Tree Building)Roman Culture is excluded after the 2end level, Provincial Capital Rulers Building is completed.
Gesith: Germanic Factions
Provincial Dux: Roman and Romano Factions
Mormaer: Pictavia Faction
Ri Buiden: Gaelic Factions
4.Builds:
4a. Kings Castle Building Tree
4b. 2end level stables(Roman and Romano factions)
4c. 3rd level stables(All Cultures: Starts Gaelic and Pict and Germanic Cultures )
4d. 3rd level barracks

-I'm about 70% done. More detailing, Expansion on trees, and description is needed.

[Aethelstan]

I'm also working with gimp Theramines - just ask and you will be heard

[Yerevan]

Roman Culture: Western Roman Empire(Soissons) Councilium Britanniae
You should first build the Corn Market, which allows you to build the Small Market.

The Small Market allows the construction of five important branches of the building tree. These are:

1. Armory, then you can build the Chieftain Hall (first level Barbarian), or Governors Villa (2nd level Roman). These allow recruitment of higher tier units.
   
2. Craftsmen, then you can build the Treasure Chest (Warlords Booty), then 1st level of the Kings Stronghold. These improve your economy and units.
3. Ports - first level. Improves your economy.
4. River ports - first level. Again, your economy.
5. Training Gyrus (for cavalry) - first level needed to build for Horse Breeding (first level stables).

Romano British Culture: Guened Alt Clut Gododdin Ebrauc Dumnonia Llydaw
You should first build the Corn Market, which allows you to build the Small Market.

The Small Market allows the construction of five important branches of the building tree. These are:

1. Armory, then you can build the Chieftain Hall (first level Barbarian), or Governors Villa (2nd level Roman). These allow recruitment of higher tier units.
   
2. Craftsmen, then you can build the Treasure Chest (Warlords Booty), then 1st level of the Kings Stronghold. These improve your economy and units.
3. Ports - first level. Improves your economy.
4. River ports - first level. Again, your economy.
5. Training Gyrus (for cavalry) - first level needed to build for Horse Breeding (first level stables).

Gaelic Culture Mumainha Uí Néill Connacht Dál Riada Pictavia
You should first build the Corn Market, which allows you to build the Small Market.

The Small Market allows the construction of five important branches of the building tree. These are:

1. Armory, then you can build the Chieftain Hall (first level Barbarian), or Governors Villa (2nd level Roman). These allow recruitment of higher tier units.
   
2. Craftsmen, then you can build the Treasure Chest (Warlords Booty), then 1st level of the Kings Stronghold. These improve your economy and units.
3. Ports - first level. Improves your economy.
4. River ports - first level. Again, your economy.
5. Training Gyrus (for cavalry) - first level needed to build for Horse Breeding (first level stables).

Germanic Culture: Ængla Saxons Franks(Merovingians) Alemanni Sahson Ēotenas Thuringians Frêsland
You should first build the Corn Market, which allows you to build the Small Market.

The Small Market allows the construction of five important branches of the building tree. These are:

1. Armory, then you can build the Chieftain Hall (first level Barbarian), or Governors Villa (2nd level Roman). These allow recruitment of higher tier units.
   
2. Craftsmen, then you can build the Treasure Chest (Warlords Booty), then 1st level of the Kings Stronghold. These improve your economy and units.
3. Ports - first level. Improves your economy.
4. River ports - first level. Again, your economy.
5. Training Gyrus (for cavalry) - first level needed to build for Horse Breeding (first level stables).

Thanx for this. I'm a bit lost with the economy and government in this mod. I didn't play much the M2TW vanilla (but I'm not sure it would help anyway) but I don't remember there was so many choices. Even in mods like DLV.

Now this period being a special crossroad in history, it seems logical to have different options in the process of civilization, but those choices are not always intuitive.

I started a campaign with the continental roman faction so at the moment I'm just trying to stabilize my economy. But when territorial expansion will come I will be needing all those descriptions.

PS : About merchants. I just have one right now, but it cost me 200 a turn and the ressources around are never giving me more than 80 to 106 a turn (grain being the most valuable atm). Any solution to improve his output ?

[Riothamus]

Thanx for this. I'm a bit lost with the economy and government in this mod. I didn't play much the M2TW vanilla (but I'm not sure it would help anyway) but I don't remember there was so many choices. Even in mods like DLV.

Now this period being a special crossroad in history, it seems logical to have different options in the process of civilization, but those choices are not always intuitive.

I started a campaign with the continental roman faction so at the moment I'm just trying to stabilize my economy. But when territorial expansion will come I will be needing all those descriptions.

PS : About merchants. I just have one right now, but it cost me 200 a turn and the ressources around are never giving me more than 80 to 106 a turn (grain being the most valuable atm). Any solution to improve his output ?

Over time they gradually gain experience and then the profits begin rolling in. I'm not sure how long this process takes. It may be a good few years before this comes about. The strategy guide hopefully will give a fresh perspective on the mod. There is still very much to do on this but I'm glad you can see some of its significance in the madness of it all. Its important to see also how the Romano culture such as Dumnonia, and Ebrauc etc.. can choose the regression toward the Barbarian Germanic or Gaelic types or toward(to a point) their Roman predecessors. We Thank you Yerevan for you interest and kind words

[Theramines]

I'm also working with gimp Theramines - just ask and you will be heard

Thanks!

I've been playing around with it this week, learning stuff. I will need your help! I used Photoshop professionally back in the late 1990s, but this Gimp is really difficult to understand. Its user manual is confusing tech-babble and it's nothing like anything I've used before. I'll push on though, because I really want to do this.

[Riothamus]

WIP. Still working on this. When its completed I will post on page 1

1. Settlement Hall and Barbarian Chieftain Hall
2a. Civil Provincial Administrators or Regional rulers(economic assimilation)
2b. Military Provincial Capital Rulers or the settlements' Capital ruler (military assimilation
4 Roman Government Center 2nd level of this tier( Roman assimilation Roman or Romano factions only. Other factions are excluded)
5 Barbarian Government Center (Culture Assimilation)

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

1. Settlement Hall
Roman and Romano Cultures Only
All Cultures(Editing) Romano cultures will have most but not all access. After the second level is constructed, the Barbarian style Governor Palace(Warrior Hold) cannot no longer be built by the Roman and Romano Culture. This building tree will be the governments' administration tree unless its destroyed by the player and the player decides otherwise.
Requires 1st level Market
Builds:WIP


2. 1st level Barbarian Chieftain Hall
All Cultures(Editing). After the second level is constructed, the Roman style Governor Palace cannot no longer be built by the Roman or Romano cultures. The choice is made. This building tree will be the governments' administration tree unless its destroyed by the player and the player decides otherwise.
Requires 1st level Market
Requires Craftsmen
Requires Armory
Builds:
3Civil Provincial Administrators or Regional rulers
3a. A Marchan: Pictavia Faction
3b. Comites Civitatus: Romano and Roman Factions
4c. Rí Ruirech: Gaelic Factions
5d. Ætheling:Germanic factions
3a. 2ed level walls
3b. Courts of Law
3c. Academy
3d. Aqueducts
4 Roman Government Center 2nd level of this tier(Roman or Romano factions only. Other factions are excluded)
Requires Civil Provincial Administrators or Regional rulers(1st level tier)
Builds: WIP

5 Barbarian_Government Center
All Cultures
requires Livestock Cattle Farming. A Roman Governors Palace 3rd level cannot exist
Builds:
5a Mercenary Buildings
5b 3rd level Kings castle
barb_council_chambers 2nd level
Farms 3rd level
Market 3rd level
Barracks last level
Stables last level
Barb Treasury 2end level requires Livestock Cattle Farming A Roman city hall town hall 3rd level cannot exist


6 - Military Provincial Capital Rulers
All Cultures:
Requires 1st level Market
Requires Craftsmen
Requires a Warrior or Treasure Chest(1st level building in Castle Tree Building)
Provincial Capital Rulers
Builds:
Settlement Capital Military Rulers
6a. Gesith: Germanic Factions
6b. Provincial Dux: Roman and Romano Factions
6c. Mormaer: Pictavia Faction
6d. Ri Buiden: Gaelic Factions
6e. Kings Castle 4th Tier(All Cultures)
6f. 2end level stables(Roman and Romano factions)
6g. 3rd level stables(All Cultures)
6h. 3rd level barracks(All Cultures)

I'm about 95% done. More detailing, Expansion on trees, and description is needed.-

[Theramines]

WIP. Still working on this. When its completed I will post on page 1

1. Settlement Hall and Barbarian Chieftain Hall
2a. Civil Provincial Administrators or Regional rulers
2b. Military Provincial Capital Rulers or the settlements' Capital ruler
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:



I'm about 90% done. More detailing, Expansion on trees, and description is needed.-

Studying these made me realize how important the choice is for certain factions between barbarian and roman tech trees. As Rio mentioned earlier:

Its important to see also how the Romano culture such as Dumnonia, and Ebrauc etc.. can choose the regression toward the Barbarian Germanic or Gaelic types or toward(to a point) their Roman predecessors.

I'll also expand the 'Assimilation' sections of the strategy guides to make sure players are aware of this. I'll rename it 'Building and Assimilation' and sticky the tech trees within.

[Riothamus]

Studying these made me realize how important the choice is for certain factions between barbarian and roman tech trees. As Rio mentioned earlier:



I'll also expand the 'Assimilation' sections of the strategy guides to make sure players are aware of this. I'll rename it 'Building and Assimilation' and sticky the tech trees within.

I expanded post 36 a bit Theramines. I gave the first level Roman Governors' 1st Level Palace settlement a 1st level market requirement and cleaned out a few not needed either or requirements. I added in both Roman and Barbarian Government Centers and will further expound soon. I still need to add to it(more info and branch more to help it resemble a tech tree for you

[Riothamus]

I expanded post 36 a bit Theramines. I gave the first level Roman Governors' 1st Level Palace settlement a 1st level market requirement and cleaned out a few not needed either or requirements. I added in both Roman and Barbarian Government Centers and will further expound soon. I still need to add to it(more info and branch more to help it resemble a tech tree for you

More added 3/14

[Riothamus]

Re did Post 1 bottom page spoiler. Added 2 more building branches an clarified info I will try and add post 36 info to this soon