Favourite National Idea combo's

[Teurlinx]

I've never paid too close attention to the NIs and the added bonus they give.

What NIs combined with a nation type are especially powerful?
Is it more beneficial to go with the nation bonus, or is better to just pick the best National Ideas?

 

[UniversalWolf]

Depends on the situation. When I play republics I tend to change my NI's fairly frequently to fit the circumstances, and it's easy to do since you get leaders from different parties. What's the bonus for Aristocratic Republic? That might be a good one to consider, since it give two civic slots. You could have both Emancipation and Citizenship and still get the bonus.

 

[Achab]

Military Republic has great ideas combination for conquest (MMC) supported with the spiffy gov bonus of WE reduction -0.025 a month.

Despotic Monarchy ideas set is good for country development and decent expansion (MCE) with the massive gov bonus of 33% discount on the building contruction cost.

Republic Confederacy has +20% research points but only two idea slots (EC). The research boost is good at the start, but soon or later you start getting the techs 10+ years ahead of time anyway.

The remaining gov types bonuses are IMHO negligible, so the most important thing here is how many idea slots you have available.

 

[Emperor Leo]

If you're a nation which relies on Cavalry and has 2 Military Ideas (e.g. Military Republic, Aristochratic Monarchy, Imperium), a good mid-late game combo is Horse Lords and Cataphracts. This will give your Cavalry +25% Discipline and +100% Offensive. If you've gained the Noble Cavalry / Companion Cavalry "invention", it can make your Cavalry attacks devestating. Throw in some Horse Archers and you've got a fast, efficient and ruthless squadron in your hands. Completely useless during a siege, but keep a stack of Infantry handy to move in and use your cavalry to keep the enemy on the run.

Despotic Monarchy ideas set is good for country development and decent expansion (MCE) with the massive gov bonus of 33% discount on the building contruction cost.

Yeah and if you make sure you've got a high charisma Architect, you'll pay even less. If your King is a "Founder" as well, you'll get huge discounts on construction.

 

[Teurlinx]

Yeah and if you make sure you've got a high charisma Architect, you'll pay even less. If your King is a "Founder" as well, you'll get huge discounts on construction.

Don't Civic faction Consuls give a 33% discount as well?

 

[Emperor Leo]

Don't Civic faction Consuls give a 33% discount as well?

Possibly, but if you're a Republic, then you won't have a Despotic Monarchy (which gives the -33% bonus).

 

[Achab]

Don't Civic faction Consuls give a 33% discount as well?

They give -25% discount on both building cost and time and 25% bonus on tax revenues.