Getting overwhelmed at the start :/

Hey guys I have a question I know it may sound too basic to some but even though I played all total war games except for Shogun and Medieval I, I'm getting overwhelmed at the start of a campaign in NTW. The thing is that once I start a campaign, the first 15 turn or so I just dont know what to do... I keep building anything that is currently available and usually fall back on other areas or finish up my money etc. I dont know what to build or do first. I also have trouble when not to build a building at the start since I usually try to build anything that I can. ( for example when I build second tier farms I feel as if I have to build the 3rd tier.) Can anyone give me some tips?

well first thing I do is concentrate on my economy buildings, farms, roads, factorys etc and if you feel you dont have money
you could allways disbamd some of your units.

And allso try too get some trade going with your allies

But you could allso try and read some of the threds in this forum

IF you aren't being forced to fight early, DON'T. Money money money. Build anything that makes money. Go for techs that increase research rate first (civs), then go military. That way, when you do start spending on the army, you are building quality units.

What fraction do you play with?
If you play as GB I will PM you

I played the island nation of Sardinia who start off with a falling economy earning 500 from town wealth.

I lowered taxes to the bare minimum, opened up 6 trade posts, 3 sea trade routes, brought a fullstack army, upgraded economical buildings and per turn I was earning 10k within something like my 15th turn. Take advantage of the easy economy. After that just buy alot of line, quite abit of artillery and some cav.

First thing I do when starting a campaign is get trade agreements with everyone I can. I drop tax to the lowest notch and disband as many units as I need to, to break even. I use my starting cash to build economic buildings, specifically roads, ports and merchant houses, but mainly government buildings (courthouses etc). Slowly but surely the economy starts to build, and after a few months I'll be making as much money as if I had left it on normal tax. I'll also have a much more rapidly growing economy and population, as well as minimal unhappiness. I try to go as a long as possible without going to war. I collect protectorates.

it sounds like you are building way too much stuff. just because you can build something, doesnt mean you should. roads are a good idea first along with economic buildings and of course a barracks so you can get better troops out in the field.

Originally Posted by General T

Hey guys I have a question I know it may sound too basic to some but even though I played all total war games except for Shogun and Medieval I, I'm getting overwhelmed at the start of a campaign in NTW. The thing is that once I start a campaign, the first 15 turn or so I just dont know what to do... I keep building anything that is currently available and usually fall back on other areas or finish up my money etc. I dont know what to build or do first. I also have trouble when not to build a building at the start since I usually try to build anything that I can. ( for example when I build second tier farms I feel as if I have to build the 3rd tier.) Can anyone give me some tips?

i feel that you are lucky for being anything close to overwhelmed, because i sure don't. i would love a more complex campaign map.

Originally Posted by General T

Hey guys I have a question I know it may sound too basic to some but even though I played all total war games except for Shogun and Medieval I, I'm getting overwhelmed at the start of a campaign in NTW. The thing is that once I start a campaign, the first 15 turn or so I just dont know what to do... I keep building anything that is currently available and usually fall back on other areas or finish up my money etc. I dont know what to build or do first. I also have trouble when not to build a building at the start since I usually try to build anything that I can. ( for example when I build second tier farms I feel as if I have to build the 3rd tier.) Can anyone give me some tips?

The faction you are playing will make a difference as to what you should do.

The new assortment of buildings are also daunting. At times it may even be wise not to build a particular town building until you have a particular technology.

An example would be, that you will need supply posts but you need the technology of logistics before you can build them. There are buildings you can build and switch to but we will leave that for now.

Economic developmeant comes first, or at least just after defense. Farms and mines are safe and cheap for the most part.

Farms are usually a safe bet at first and second tire but third tire has happiness penalties so you may want to have a closer look at the region before you build it. There is also the stud farm that helps cavalry recruiting.

First level mines are safe and profitable too. After that they have penalties on happiness and diminishing returns.

There are a lot of new building! And as only the three general types are covered in the manual it is hard to know which you should build.

One nice feature with NTW is that building types can be changed without destroying the improvements. The bottom button on the building panel allows you to see what it can be changed to.

The types are; Industrial, Intellectual, and Commercial.

Industrial building will usually give you a choice between one type that gives you military bonuses in the region and one that gives economic returns. If the region’s capital has only one building it is usually best to select the economic option.

Intellectual building will give you a choice between clubs, which spawn spies and schools for research and spawn gentlemen.

Commercial building offer choices between markets and supply posts. Supply posts are best if you have a barracks and or cannon foundry in the region or if you have a large garrison force and it is near the enemy.

Ports are also important of course and commercial ports should be what most are but you will need a naval port in each sea area too, as I am sure you know.

All ports need to be garrisoned to prevent enemy landings.

Infrastructure are your roads. Make sure at least dirt roads are built in all your regions on your early turns. You can upgrade them as need and funds allow.


It is a good idea to see just what the benefit to each building is in the area where it is being built. They will not all be the same.

Your Capital City will contain the widest array of building types. Review those and use the button I told you about to examine all the possible choices and see exactly what each one dose.

That is all the tips I can think of at the moment.

All the very best of luck.

Research national debt first, always.

I usually start conquest first. Then build government buildings and economy so it gives you more space to get more money. Because I found it hard to get enough money by starting off with your beginning regions. This way you can expand as well as make people fear you and get a good sum of money while enemies fail. Also did I mention its much more exciting. I remember I was campaigning in Russia but 3 full stack British landed in France. VERY FUN!

Thanks for your quest for advice because I too am having difficulty knowing how to start in the Italian campaign. I am new to the Total War series and it's a bit overwhelming at first. I'm amazed the game just came out and there are people on this forum who have finished the whole thing already-- must be super smart or have hundreds of hours of experience with TW. In any case it would be good t hear how others approach game strategy.

If you are a weak country, with only one or two regions, it doesn't really pay off to sit, lower taxes and wait for economic capital to build. That's useful later. What pays off in the beginning is conquest, and early in the game it's quite easy to take a few regions, especially if you milk your country for taxes to afford the blitzkrieg. Once you have a stable platform, with several regions including a couple of universities and some nice ports, you can make peace and build your economy. Remember that nothing has higher payoff rate than investing in commodity trade (merchant ships).

Originally Posted by Xstar

If you are a weak country, with only one or two regions, it doesn't really pay off to sit, lower taxes and wait for economic capital to build. That's useful later. What pays off in the beginning is conquest, and early in the game it's quite easy to take a few regions, especially if you milk your country for taxes to afford the blitzkrieg. Once you have a stable platform, with several regions including a couple of universities and some nice ports, you can make peace and build your economy. Remember that nothing has higher payoff rate than investing in commodity trade (merchant ships).

precisely...whether to expand or to build up really depends your situation. In general, the game rewards aggressive play. While you may not have much at the start, neither does the AI. With many countries (ie russia versus the ottomans) you can conquer the entire nation with your starting troops. Doing so right away allows a trade and economic buildup.

Originally Posted by ktodack

Thanks for your quest for advice because I too am having difficulty knowing how to start in the Italian campaign. I am new to the Total War series and it's a bit overwhelming at first. I'm amazed the game just came out and there are people on this forum who have finished the whole thing already-- must be super smart or have hundreds of hours of experience with TW. In any case it would be good t hear how others approach game strategy.

I have a guide for Italy.

http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=338151

I hope it helps.