tips on playing provincial campaigns

**Javolenus** · August 01, 2008, 04:11 PM

Hi There,

Just returned to XGM after a spell in Medieval. This mod gets better and better. Many thanks for all the hard work that has gone into it. I'm looking forward to the next version, with Suppanut's traits etc. Also, I like the idea of a Roman civil war provincial campaign.

Meanwhile, any advice for the existing provincial campaigns? I tried playing the Pergamon and Syracuse campaigns but get wiped out early on due to lack of money and soldiers.

I send out my diplomat to get trade rights. I spend money on trade infrastructure. I hike up taxes. Although I win early battles, no replenishments means that I can't hold out.

Feel like I must be taking the wrong approach. Any advice welcome.

Meanwhile, I've been amusing myself with the custom battles. They're great. The AI always tries to outflank me, so the battles usually start with manoeuvring before the big clash.

Although Medieval has great graphics, I think these RTW battles are far better.

Thanks again for a brilliant mod.

**Balikedes** · August 01, 2008, 04:35 PM

One thing I've found is that trying to "build up" in a provincial campaign is a mistake. You need to capture other cities quickly to get some money coming in. It requires a certain amount of blitzing I guess...
I'm playing the Galatian campaign right now and found out the hard way that trying to keep a city will just get me sieged every turn. So I horded and started blitzing...I'm much better off now.

Good Luck!

**Javolenus** · August 01, 2008, 05:32 PM

Hi Balikedes,

Thanks for this. I'm gonna try out your suggestion - sounds good. I certainly got nowhere trying for a slow build up. Thanks again.

**DimeBagHo** · August 02, 2008, 08:18 AM

I think with all of the factions or provincial campaigns where you start off small you really need to grab the easy gains as fast as you can, to establish a good financial base. Without that it's going to be hard even to build up your starting cities, let alone recruit new troops.

With many of them you can slow down again after you get your position established. With Syracuse you can slow down a bit once you control Sicily, Sardinia, and Corsica, for example. Massalia is a different story though - you are exposed to too many different threats so you really have to expand or die.

**Javolenus** · August 02, 2008, 08:26 AM

Hi DimeBagHo,

Thanks for this - very much appreciated. I'm gonna restart my Syracuse campaign and follow the advice above.

Meanwhile, many thanks for a great mod. I've been trying out lots of mods over the last few months. I've come back to XGM because it's stable and playable and looks good. Also, I like fighting with Greek troops. This mod just keeps on improving.

**Stilgar CG** · August 03, 2008, 01:13 PM

Originally Posted by Balikedes

One thing I've found is that trying to "build up" in a provincial campaign is a mistake. You need to capture other cities quickly to get some money coming in. It requires a certain amount of blitzing I guess...
I'm playing the Galatian campaign right now and found out the hard way that trying to keep a city will just get me sieged every turn. So I horded and started blitzing...I'm much better off now.

Good Luck!

Bal, you said it all. Indeed, there might be subtle differences for different prov campaigns, but initial blitz is a must for survival.