Rome opening moves?

[captainkrunch]

Hello there everybody, I just updated to 1.1 and need a bit of help/ some tips right now. I'm playing a game as Rome right now and I'm trying to figure out what my opening moves should be in this game. The only time I have had a successful game as Rome has been when I invaded Illyria, and that was a while ago, pre update 1.05 even I think. Does anyone have any advice as to any other opening moves I could make? Making the exact same moves as last time seems a bit boring to me, just searching for any other possible options

[Daergar]

Taking Patavium for the glassware. Trading and alliance with Massilia tend to work out.

Syracuse and Carthage has to be handled differently every time depending on who comes out on top. My first start today took a bad turn with Syracuse becoming a client state to Carthage almost instantly. Normally I actually go for a trade agreement with Carthage (very lucrative early on).

I've not conquered Illyria in recent memory, rather I let them act as a buffer and playground for every faction near them, constant war over there.

I tend to focus on securing the south side of the Alps, then head over to Iberia. From there you can do whatever you fancy. Not historical, but fun.

[Kuerassier]

Maybe you would enjoy to expand twofold:
A) as historical correct as possible
B) if the general situation does not permit to do it historically, do it based on a cold threat and interest based analysis.

I always try to take my time: Build up my assets, assemble them over some turns and wait for springtime.
A fine campaigning-season ends in autumn in order to stabilize my territorial gains.

To be more specific: I start to secure the Italian peninsula by taking the northern part and the Alps. I just aim to keep the tribes north of the Alps in check, better submission and concentrate on my new role as powerbroker in the western Mediterranian sphere, which almost inevitable brings me into opposition with those strange Carthagians who annoy me anyway due to their presence in Sicily.

[0celot]

A few things i do with Rome:


Turn 1


Focus on your economy for a few turns. Disband your navy (I never really use them and this starting one is a drain on your economy). For the army down south near to Syracuse disband the units and put the general in patrol stance. For 2 armies up north, combine all the units into one and move to the border with Liguria/the tribe with the glassworks. No need to recruit more units. As I say, focus on economy. In Magnia Gracia build a temple to Jupiter (I think it's this one, the one that gives the most cultural conversion). This will help counter the Punic/Hellenic cultures. Use the tax edict in the province with Rome.


Turn 2


Attack and conquer the province with the glassworks (not at my pc so can't remember the name of the faction that holds this in cisalpine Gaul). Can be done with minimal losses. Liguria and the other tribe in this province with the provincial capital are at war, so wait to see who beats who and be ready to pounce on the victor (hopefully when they have won a phyrric victory). Within 3 or 4 turns you can own the whole of this province if your careful. Get trade with Masillia, maybe the Gallic tribes to your north once you meet them (but this depends on where you want to expand in near future).


Turn 3


Income should be about 2,500 per turn at this point. Focus on building farms and upgrading city centres. Now you should decide your next move. I always get cisalpine Gaul first for a second full province, and then either begin to prepare for war with the barbarians to my north (but going this way gives you a lot of borders with a lot of other factions that can be hard to defend), the Illyrians to my east or Carthage and her allies to the south. Personally, I like waiting for my war with Carthage until I have a few experienced armies and a good economy as it's never quick and opens you up to loads more wars in Africa and Iberia.


In General


That's just what I do. The plan for any campaign is to have your targets and plan your empire. For Rome you can chose a family so this can help decide. I.e. Julia get bonus fighting barbarians for example, so chose the right family for your early style of gameplay. Build economy (farms, mines, upgrade city centres, raiding stance in enemy/neural territories), use small armies effectively without many losses in battles so you don't pay out for loads of unit upkeep. For technologies I usually focus on economic. Rome has great units early game and especially with 1.1 when they start with triarii etc, so no need to get better barracks at this stage. Any campaign I rush research the techs for champions and governors first as they give you good buffs for unit xp, taxes etc.


Hope that helps and happy playing! I started my new Rome campaign after a long wait for 1.1. Iv done everything i said above and am now about to invade the Raeti. I want their iron mines. It's a big buff if you can get it early game for the weapons/armour upgrades.