Where should I expand?

[Iññsomññi]

I was just curious about where you guys think would be worthwhile expanding to, I'm playing as the Julii on M/M and my campaign has been very slow so far, because I'm having difficulty trying to figure out where to expand to, my first thoughts were to take out the Gaul's so I wouldn't have to fight on more than one front, however I have been thinking that the Gaul area isn't exactly the most lucrative, and expanding into Greece or Egypt might be a better option, however I may have some difficulty from other areas if I spread my empire too thin.

Here is an image I created from a RTW Political Map I found on Google:



Key:

Red: My current territories.
Black: Territories either under siege or that are going to be taken shortly.
Dark Blue: Territories I am considering taking (However I haven't decided on anything yet)

As you can see my empire isn't very large, however it is concentrated and has a few small regions in it. Many of these regions are just becoming fairly large ones, and I've just started producing Heavy infantry, which I am slowly replacing other infantry with so I can withstand whatever my enemies may throw at me cavalry wise.

I'm split on what action to take, is there any where you guys would suggest going for?

[g0ra]

I usually spread up into Gaulish territory and then take the Iberian peninsula before moving up into Germania and down through Carthage, respectively.

[empr guy]

I'd say take gaul, your right it isnt the moist lucrative but you can still get good money, especially if you sack some. Since youre playing M/M the gauls shouldnt really be that much of a challenge, and after your cities develop they will be good. Also, it takes possible land away from germania and britania (everyone will attack you anyway, no matter what you do) who might be able to actually challange you, since germani has phalanx and britania chariotes.


Also, im pretty sure spain is a very lucrative region after its been developed, so if you want momentum for your next attack go for a right hook at gaul, swing down into iberia, and then you can keep going into Africa, which is always a great place to make money. (well at least the trade cities.)

[Iññsomññi]

Aaaaah I see, thanks. But wouldn't slashing right through Greece in a way inhibit Brutii expansion so they are easier to deal with when the civil war occurs? It is possible that I may have the funds to finance two armies, would it be wise to expand into both Greece and Gaul/Iberia/Africa at the same time? Or should I just settle for Gaul?

As for Britannia and Germania, I haven't really developed many tactics for Chariots yet, however I've developed certain tactics using the Roman factions that means that Phalanx's can be dealt with pretty easily. Although chances are I'll end up getting decimated :p

[empr guy]

actually, you seem in a decent position to conquer greece, so as long as you have border gaurds you should be fine. The thing i really dont suggest doing is trying to conquer gaul and greece at the same time. If you can only afford two attacking armies at a time and you split them, im not sure if you will be able to conquer either area, and if you do it will be a long drawn out struggle. (unless they are at war, and have been weakend considerably...)

oh and as for chariotes, i always skirmished them or swamped them lol.

[killervomit2]

get a foothold in north africa

[Bow-wow-wow]

If neither the Brutii nor the Scipii have expanded, try to cut them off or just get rid of them now. If you don't, they could start to expand and become superpowers which will make for a difficult civil war.

[Magic_8_Ball]

I'd go for Greece. It'd help to cut off Brutii, which eliminates one threat. There is lots of money that you can make from the east, too. In the mean time, just fend off any attacks from the Gaul. Once you've gained enough money, try to conquer Gaul and the Iberian Peninsula. If Scipii still hasn't taken all or of Northern Africa, take what rich trading cities you can.

[NotYetRegistered]

I'd suggest you go sack Carthage or you can take Macedon and Greece, which will be on the long terms more lucrative, I guess.

However, keep the pressure on the Gauls if you don't want them to grow too strong.

[nhinhonhinho]

First take Sicily from the south to prevent Scipii to expand.Then send all your force to Greek.Destroy both Mac and Greek.After that you have a riches region of the world (you will even richer if you have Rhodes island).Send some troop to Minor Asia and secure 2 more wonder there.Now you can prepare for civil war again another roman family.

Don't worry about Gaul too much.Your troop is superior than them and your manpower is far better.Let them grow there cities a bit and you can retrain your legion in their city when you take them

[Iññsomññi]

I would have taken Sicily but the Scipii beat me too it , they've also taken Carthage and the city below it however that's as far as they've managed to get. The Brutii have taken Apollonia and Thermon, so this limits how much of these territories I can take within the time given, however I am pretty sure I could cut across Greece and stop future Brutii expansion, although chances are I'll get annihilated by the Greeks I think I might try and finish the Gauls off first then slowly make my way into Greece, although I can see lots of fighting happening in northern Europe :s

[HanatielHawk]

Definatilly Greece. If the Brutii expands there before you you're in big trouble when civil war arives. Besides, Greece and Turkey gives you an enourmous amount of money when controlled, as Julii you're going to need that money, even more when you expand north and west. Go for glory and richdom! Conquer the eastern riches!

[nhinhonhinho]

If you think you can't beat Brutii on attack Greek.You must take Rhodes,Spartan and Corinth as quick as you can.Try to take 4 wonder in Greek and Asia Minor.I always try to take them.They buff your economy and they're cute

[Lucius Gellius Publicola]

If i were you, my direction of attack would be to take Gaul and Greece first and to get established there and then to move to North Africa eventually!

[dra3z]

strengthen ur defenses against the gauls, go for macedon and greece, u get lots of glorious riches and it prevents the expansion of the brutii then go for as much of north africa as u can to stop the scipii.

first time i played campaign with julii on M/M i took sicily and that held the scipii back greatly (i slaughtered them in a few turns when the civil war came around) but now since theres only 2 powerful romans the brutii were my main concern, AND A BIG CONCERN THEY WERE MY FRIEND! while i was advancing through gaul, spain and germania the brutii were getting in on all the riches in the east conquering greece, macedon and they were even going into thrace, luckily by that time i'd already taken 1/3 of thrace and all of dacia. bottom line is u gotta hold the other romans back, i made the mistake of ing around with the brutii, and when the civil war came around i paid for it with cities and my troops. ( i still won btw it was just a hell of a lot harder than it needed to be ).

[Nicolaos]

i would also go for africa before the scipii take it, having important cities in africa and greece will be very useful when starting civil war with the other romans

[Magoo RN]

Around the waist
Eat cream cakes

[elvenwarrior]

when you play with julii you should expand into the north and into the west(france, germany, spain and england) afther that you can go to africa(if it isn't conquerd by one of the other families), afther that you will be able to defeat rome and capture some regions from the other families because you are in war with them by then(stack your border cities to attack quickly with your armies). thats how i got my victory with to julii family

[HanatielHawk]

Don't you see the map he posted? The Brutii hasn't even done anything to expand into Greece and he has expanded against Macedon. Try to take Apollonia as soon as possible to prevent the Brutii expanding to Greece and get all the riches. Arguments why you should expand to Greece and western-turkey instead of Spain, Gaul, Brittania and Germania?

1- Greece and Western-Turkey are the centre of all income, one of many centers of income, Eastern countries are also a center of trade for example. You HAVE the possibility to expand into Greece.
2- If the Brutii gets there first you'll have a hard time defeating them certainly because Greece and Western-Turkey has the equivalent of economic growth as Germania, Gaul and Brittania (or even also spain).
3- When not conquering Greece your economy stays a bit on the low side while Brutus' economy is flourishing and they can build massive armies. This is not an argument that you will lose from the Brutii, but more an argument that it will be harder fighting the Brutii.
4- If the Brutii cannot expand into Greece OR Turkey they will find another way to expand (say Africa) and this will prevent the Scipii to expand more in africa because they'll have to share the lands.
5- More economic growth will also let you fight more easily against other enemies such as the Scipii.

When you've conquered Greece and Western-Turkey you should head further expanding to Spain and then Gaul, Germania and Brittania, so you can install a Pax Romana in the West. For now don't try to focus on that but a bit on defences and if you're at war with one of those factions higher the defences in that area. Remember: Money = More growth, more military, more buildings = more power and developement.

Arguments why you shouldn't conquer Greece but expand to Gaul, Germania, Brittania, Hispania?
1- When fully concentrated on the East your West will be a bit more vulnerable as defences would be low, but when you've got more money this problem should be gone.
2- Usually Brittania expands into Germania, and Brittania has got the Chariots. When auto-resolving Chariots give a great bonus for the owner of the Chariots and so you're more likely to gain defeats against easy enemies. But later on you'll get that same problem with Egypt so don't worry about it too much

[Lucarius]

yes when you play as julii first focus on the north (france / germany) and also send some troops (you van use Navi for this) to Spain.