same old aedui question

[Skep]

Many people ran into this before.

Playing as Aedui, defeating Averni asap. How to go from there?

I am in deep debts, the towns just don't make enough money. And soon there are roman full stacks crossing the alps. Surely hardest one for me, and I have played some factions. Hell, I even started with Bactria in EB. My guys just loose 1 on 1 and economy sucks.

For the next campaign I guess I'll move to Britain in the first turn. Any great advice ?

[Brihentin13]

Ah, the age old Aedui/Arverni problem. Personally I prefer the Arverni position better, although the Aedui have a better unique unit. Also, for some reason, Cerunnos and his druids give me an odd, Satanic vibe. Weird. Anyway, you're GOING to be in the hole for a while. As soon as you can, deploy your one diplomat and send him everywhere. You can at least delay the inevitable war with the Romans and Sweboz by declaring peace. Once the enemy faction of Gauls is gone, head to Tolosa. The village itself won't help your economy, but if you are willing to destroy that lake wonder, you get 20000 minai right there. That's a temporary boost that enables you to grab some mercs, probably just in time to deal with the Romans attacking. Your units do often lose one on one, but you're gonna have to go Celtic Alexander on their greedy Roman asses. Bring all of your generals and form them into gigantic terrifying wedge. This is the time for deceptively simple tactics. Throw your infantry at them and then flank. FLANK FLANK FLANK. Armor means nothing beneath hundreds of hooves. You have to literally wipe out everything in your path on the campaign map. Tear down all of the Roman's buildings and enslave all of their settlements. Hopefully, you will move quickly enough to keep your army staffed through a loot based economy.

[athanaric]

As said, you'll have to employ the right tactics. Your biggest weakness at the start compared to some other factions is the relative lack of high morale/discipline units. You should leave your cities with minimal garrisons (depending on the local danger level, i.e. how likely are they to get sieged immediately by a neighbouring faction), and aggregate two large, well-balanced armies from the starting units. It is vital that each of your armies contain some cavalry, especially if you expect field battles. Also, try to avoid forest battles; force the enemy to fight on river crossings if possible. It is most important to neutralize the Arverni (or take at least two of their provinces), and then have a secure position without bordering either the Suebi or the Romans.

As said, the diplomat should be sent to the Romans first. Ask them for a ceasefire in exchange for some money (say, 1000 mnai or less). Optionally, you can demand map information and trade rights as well. Repeat the same thing with the Suebi. If both of them refuse giving money or map information, remember the ceasefire is more important. Generally, you'll find that the Romans are almost always dicks, while the Suebi are more amicable, as long as they don't border you. After that, continue to send your diplomat around asking for money in exchange for map information and trade rights.

Build order right from the start should be focused on economy and economy only, until you get back in the black. Try to get paved roads ASAP, and then mines (if you hold Helvetia or Volcallra) as soon as you can afford them. Farms are also very important for income.
IIRC you start with a fleet - disband it immediately unless you want to migrate to Britain.

First expansion targets should be at least two of the Arverni provinces, then Armorica, and, if you can manage, the two southwestern provinces. Greseoallra (Massalia) is very tempting, as it has stone walls, a port (can and should be maxed out), and very useful Celto-Hellenic and Greek units (spearmen and skirmishers), but you'll have to count with wave after wave of Roman attacks very soon afterwards, which can be a big problem if you don't have axemen and cavalry in the city garrison (neither of which are recruitable in Massalia itself, AFAIK).