Not a huge fan

[mjsanta83]

JMJ -

Please don't take my title the wrong way. I love TW games ever since the original Shogun (I am that old). But I am only familiar with Shogun 1 & 2, and Medieval 2. So Attila is a HUGE jump for me. This game plays so much different than those. I am a little off in terms of the politics/royal family dynamics. Also, I can only recruit units with a general? I mean, it's cool that he can recruit units anywhere inside my territory and that they recup men inside my territory on their own, but I have to leave my towns protected by only a weak garrison if I want to venture out. Every faction just seems to start with so much, lot of money and decent sized armies. I started a campaign as the Gaets and destroyed the other two viking factions and united the province in only two turns. But now, aside for trying to build up my settlements, I'm just not even sure what I should take on.

I have been reading the forums, but any general advice for gameplay is appreciated.

Also, if anybody wants to chime in as to any next steps as the Gaets that's cool too.

This game does look good with the graphics.

YBIC
Mike

[Epirus]

Hi Mike,

The important thing about Attila is to take things slowly since a single mistake can easily mean the end. Whereas in old total wars a turn might take 5 minutes, I often find myself spending 30 trying to decide if moving an army will leave a critical settlement exposed to armies in the fog of war. It's a much more delicate balancing act, so work on establishing a strong base. Food and loyalty cannot wait if you've got major problems there. Next make sure you've got enough income to keep up with the AI, they tend to get higher tier troops before you can. You can always put down rebellions, so I typically resolve public order and sanitation last. Don't over extend, and carefully manage your governors and generals. Income ancillaries and agents can have a massive effect.

Unfortunately this forum is not the best place to get advice on game play, it use to be a great forum but the positive contributors got mostly driven out by the negative vibe. It's very likely you'll have people in this very thread insult you for asking questions. If you use Reddit, I would recommend /r/totalwar who are quite friendly.

Good luck

For Geats, you might want to try for the British Isles once you're done in Scandinavia. It's a number of smaller Celtic factions and rebel Romans to take on, and has the added bonus of taking you away from Attila.

[Humble Warrior]

To the OP, take it slow and have a plan where you wish to expand. Expand in one direction and consolidate borders not expanded into. Making peace \ trade with potential trouble makers to prevent hassle you don`t want is a good start.

[M2TWRocks]

Watch this in regard to politics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5MkIcbdIZ4

I went from pulling my hair in frustration to truly enjoying politics and role-play for the first time in a TW game. I actually know my faction leader's name, his family, heir, lack of wife, and everything currently happening in my kingdom. I've intentionally blinded rivals (castration was an option, but I thought it too brutal,) assassinated trouble makers, adopted aspiring generals, and married daughters to solidify alliances. All I did in previous titles was build up a decent economy, then go from one settlement to another until I was either extremely powerful or outright bored. This game is superior to every past title, in my opinion. (And I've played every single one since the original as well.)

[Akhenaton]

Guys please, if you want to give advise to mike post here. If you want to discuss the command structure of newer TW Titles, by all means but then make a new thread.

@Mike: I understand where you´re coming from. I had similiar feelings when I made the jump from Medieval 2 to Shogun 2. But it grew on me over time

First, good job on conquering the other viking factions (what difficulty though?). Your statement about having lots of money, makes it clear you´re still used to older titles, where the economy would be in the red for the first dozen turns or so. Could you perhaps give some overview about your faction´s position in the world? Who are you allied with? Who is your enemy? What is the opinion of the german tribes about you? What are your armies doing?

You should understand that this game ,unlike earlier titles, is not about simple conquest. The more you expand to the south, east or west the more enemies you are going to make. And even if you manage to beat them, climate change will destroy your food supplies, leading to instability across your whole kingdom. At that point you could either conquer more regions to produce more food, which is very risky, or you could become a horde and move out, because protecting your people and finding a safe home comes first here.
You´re biggest strenght is your immunity to snow attrition, making it safe for your hordes and armies to move during winter.

You should also know, that money is not only important for construction and upkeep, but for diplomacy as well! Other factions with reasonable relations will listen to you, if you offer them enough gold.

Also important, be carefull when to upgrade your troops to the next tier. Their upkeep will rise by quite a lot and you must have a stable economy by then.

[mjsanta83]

JMJ -

Akhenaton, thanks for the info. I must admit that I am on Normal (I have to keep it fairly easy because of time restraints). My armies are currently just sitting in my towns. I may try to move them out to Brittania. I have no allies, a few non aggression pacts and two trade agreements. Several of the German factions like me, I think one and the Franks are neutral. I have no alliances.

You are right about being used to the older games. My tactic was always to keep my territory contiguous, to avoid conquering territory far away, in order to create a safe base of operation.

YBIC
Mike

[veverčák]

My advice for most barbaric faction is to pillage and loot. It will make you rich (like stupidly rich), it is one of the goals to win campaign and also it is sometimes better then to invest into said region without getting your money back.Also if your king do not fall in battle there is good chance as he start cumulating negative traits (Blind...) after his 60. So I would suggest swift assassination is way to make succession just in time. Same goes to generals so keep an eye on your elder victors.

[lolIsuck]

Discussion about Atilla's recruitment and garrison system has been moved to this thread. Please continue said discussion there.

[mjsanta83]

JMJ -

Thanks vevercak, I'll keep all that in mind.

Epirus, I have only been on one other sub forum for a MTW2 mod, but my experience here has been rather pleasant.

YBIC
Mike

[veverčák]

Also you should keep an eye on fertility levels and your farms. Each new chapter (400, 420 etc) the fertility level will drop by one level so grain farms and cow farms stop being a good source of food later on. Goat Herds and Fishing Ports are later better sources of food for your people although you will need Cow Farms to be able to recruit certain cavalry units (Saxon Mounted Band and Saxon Lancers for Saxon faction for tier 2 Cow Farms and skirmishers for Goat Herds chain).

[C.Maximus]

Already united the north under your banner?!?! To ENGLAND!!!

[Ozymandias Maximus]

I found the Geats campaign to be a bit too easy. The Danes was much harder. I took my army and navy and crossed the sea to battle the Varinians. Within 1 turn of being across the sea, the Geats invaded Hafn, my capital, and razed it, leaving me with a horde army and no money. Stupid move on my part, but I didn't expect such aggressive ai. But that's the stuff you have to think about in Attila. You have to play it a bit smarter.