So Ireland will be tribal in 769, but not under threat of Norse Invasion (at least, not immediately). Some say Ireland in 867 is no longer newbie island, but so long as the Norse hold off on invading until you can form the Kingdom (shouldn't take more than 20 years), it's not too hard to treat it like 1066.
But tribal mechanics.... They're gonna make things interesting. You'll have to keep relationships with tribal vassals high, and even then, they might not send you any men. And even if they do, you won't control them. You'll be able to raid, but you won't have any boats. Are you going to raid Scotland when you can't possibly escape back into Ireland? Are you going to march through Scotland to get to the feudal Kingdoms in modern-day England?
Can you spend all your hard-earned money on mercenaries? Or will you have to save up to go feudal as soon as possible, or face crushing defeat at the hands of other European powers?
As with every expansion, my first game will be in Ireland.... But I don't think it's Newbie Island any more.
But tribal mechanics.... They're gonna make things interesting. You'll have to keep relationships with tribal vassals high, and even then, they might not send you any men. And even if they do, you won't control them. You'll be able to raid, but you won't have any boats. Are you going to raid Scotland when you can't possibly escape back into Ireland? Are you going to march through Scotland to get to the feudal Kingdoms in modern-day England?
Can you spend all your hard-earned money on mercenaries? Or will you have to save up to go feudal as soon as possible, or face crushing defeat at the hands of other European powers?
As with every expansion, my first game will be in Ireland.... But I don't think it's Newbie Island any more.