Newb

[teak421]

Hello all...

I'm a newb at this game and its very overwhelming. For one thing, I've played like 10 turns and only taken two cities... Not sure the best way to use Priests (playing England BTW)... And, do not understand the best way to use traders. Always run out of money...

Yes, I'm stupid even after reading the manual. <grins> I was going to purchase the brady manual, but people said it stunk.

Soooo.... Can someone point me to a FAQ or walkthru that can give me some basic hints on how best to play the game? Did a google search without any luck...

Thanks in advance!

teak

[Angmar_nite]

You might try totalwar.org they have many guides in their forums or this sites mainpage (dunno if guides are up yet). Also don't bother with merchants they aren't that important. Focus on the basics and play slowly. 2 cities 10 turns is not bad.

[Lopus]

I'm fairly new to this game too, but AFAIK:

Priests: Send them to regions with low christianity (value below 80%) where they can have fun converting. Personally I use a value of 90% below in my own lands before sending them off to foreign lands. I hate inquisitions.

Merchants: Click on one, and use your pointer to go around looking at resources. It should give a value. Right click and send him on his way to earn money. On a side note, you get a higher value for resources on your own territories or on territories belonging to nations that you have a trade agreement with. Note 2, try selecting resources you don't have yourself.

[teak421]

You might try totalwar.org they have many guides in their forums or this sites mainpage (dunno if guides are up yet). Also don't bother with merchants they aren't that important. Focus on the basics and play slowly. 2 cities 10 turns is not bad.

Thanks a bunch on the 2 cities remark... Glad to see that I'm not all off. Which faction do you recommend to start? I'm playing England, maybe there is another easier one....???

[XpS_JIHADxx]

Dude teak i was a bigggg noob when i started to play Rome but now i kinda got the hang of MTW2. Don't worry once you start playing and stuff ull get use to it and btw 2 cities is pretty good for starters.... oo and i recomend england to start but... moors are my personal favorite because they have a variety of sweet units

[Cataclysm]

Nah, England is the way to go. Once you quash the Scots convert all your castles on the island to cities and focus on trade. Keep that one castle in mainland Europe a castle and use it to launch raids against the French and Germans.
I am a really slow player, I just got The World is Round event and I only have 15 territories. I'm going on a building surge with 2 captured Citadels. I use one to make archers, one to make footmen, and one to make cav and cannons. I merge the armies together and attack.
As a new player I recommend going and taking Oslo, Arrahs (SP?) and Stockholm from the Danes, as they are easily defendable. Than go invade Spain, also easy to defend.

[Prince Constantius]

Greetings Teak, the Byzantine Empire comes bearing gifts of informations and applause.
I have been a total war nut since I was 10, and have every total war game and expansion.
angmar_nite is right, you aren't doing too badly,and since you asked guys to help you out, I will do all that I can to assist you,(check out the other threads I started,there's some basic info there that is very helpful)

FACTIONS:
Firstly,almost every faction specialises in something or other.
England:Archers,France:Cavalry,HRE:Being strong all-round and so on.
It really depends on your taste, but if I were you I would recommend starting with the Holy Roman Empire,as they are overall very strong,start with six settlements,and are in a very favourable position for expansion.

RELIGION:
To protestant or muslim factions it is just as important,but not as 'in your face' as a Catholic factions religious importance.
Remember to make nice with the Pope,check your settlement religions and from time to time send gifts to the Papal states.

ECONOMY:
It is important that you prioritize your goals.
Early split your settlements into different camps:cities and castles.
Cities will net you more profit,and you should always construct them close to sea-lanes and ports as this gives them increased sea-trade.
In addition(if it doesn't make your population very unhappy) up the tax-rate a little aroung your Empire.
Send your merchants to the most developed cities of your allies,don't just pick at resources in the nearby area, preparation is always key.

GOOD LUCK COMMANDER!

[parvus]

if ur playing as England, make a rapid expansion, i.e. leave like 3 guys in ur settlements, send the rest upwards gainst teh scots. send ur army near caen to rennes in the north west corner. make peace with the french, u dont want to fight france yet. capture antwerp and bruges. by then u hav a good hold. make an alliance with the pope. it'll help HEAPS!!!!!

i play as france. thus i basically capture all of mainland france plus 2 states in spain, florence, (Bologna), stauffen,(metz), Antwerp and Bruges just by rly rapid expansion in the first ~15 turns.

bien des choses chez vous!

[teak421]

Nah, England is the way to go. Once you quash the Scots convert all your castles on the island to cities and focus on trade. Keep that one castle in mainland Europe a castle and use it to launch raids against the French and Germans.
I am a really slow player, I just got The World is Round event and I only have 15 territories. I'm going on a building surge with 2 captured Citadels. I use one to make archers, one to make footmen, and one to make cav and cannons. I merge the armies together and attack.
As a new player I recommend going and taking Oslo, Arrahs (SP?) and Stockholm from the Danes, as they are easily defendable. Than go invade Spain, also easy to defend.

Sooo.... Making an alliance with someone is not the same thing as holding terrority (to win the game)... Then, whats the point of alliances? Maybe to get in bed with France, defeat a bunch of folks then turn on them? <grins> Sounds like fun....

Thanks again for your help!

teak

[teak421]

Greetings Teak, the Byzantine Empire comes bearing gifts of informations and applause.
I have been a total war nut since I was 10, and have every total war game and expansion.
angmar_nite is right, you aren't doing too badly,and since you asked guys to help you out, I will do all that I can to assist you,(check out the other threads I started,there's some basic info there that is very helpful)

FACTIONS:
Firstly,almost every faction specialises in something or other.
England:Archers,France:Cavalry,HRE:Being strong all-round and so on.
It really depends on your taste, but if I were you I would recommend starting with the Holy Roman Empire,as they are overall very strong,start with six settlements,and are in a very favourable position for expansion.

RELIGION:
To protestant or muslim factions it is just as important,but not as 'in your face' as a Catholic factions religious importance.
Remember to make nice with the Pope,check your settlement religions and from time to time send gifts to the Papal states.

ECONOMY:
It is important that you prioritize your goals.
Early split your settlements into different camps:cities and castles.
Cities will net you more profit,and you should always construct them close to sea-lanes and ports as this gives them increased sea-trade.
In addition(if it doesn't make your population very unhappy) up the tax-rate a little aroung your Empire.
Send your merchants to the most developed cities of your allies,don't just pick at resources in the nearby area, preparation is always key.

GOOD LUCK COMMANDER!

Thanks for the excellent tips! I'll look for your threads!

teak

[Cataclysm]

Sooo.... Making an alliance with someone is not the same thing as holding terrority (to win the game)... Then, whats the point of alliances? Maybe to get in bed with France, defeat a bunch of folks then turn on them? <grins> Sounds like fun....

Thanks again for your help!

teak

No, it is not the same. Allies will help you fight battles if they're close enough. You also make more money from cities when you have allies close by. But their territories arent counted as part of yours.

Also, even though money is really important don't neglect public order and happiness. I did that and had to annihilate a civil rebellion in York and Oslo. It was a pain because I had to ship units from my castles in the mainland as my cities on the island don't have any kind of barracks.