More Newbie Q's

[unmerged(9793)]

Hello. I've played the tuts, read the faqs and all the posts I could find. I've played a good deal of Empire in Arms (which this game seems to be based on) many years ago. I've also watched my room mate play a bit (his game) - however I'm having some problems and he (the resident expert) won't be back until Wednesday.

Ok, so here we go...

I'm playing as Castille in the GC, BTW.

Mechanics:

1. Why does my naval morale drop so rapidly? I'll go into combat with 8/12/0 vs a much smaller Algerian or Grenadan fleet (4/0/0 perhaps) and invariably my morale drops faster than theirs - although I am sinking their ships (over many battles) I am 'losing' each encounter.

2. Similar problem on land. Unless I am using my one leader (Luna), my boys usually break and flee with anything significantly less than a 2:1 advantage. (not a cav issue either, most of these are inf v inf). Does everyone around Iberia have better intrinsic combat values than I do? How can I determine what their morale value (as affected by the sliders) is in relation to mine? Their morale just doesn't seem to drop as much per round.

Unlike naval combat, I seem to take comparable losses, too so I can't wear them down save by commiting more troops.

3. Inflation! I know I need to keep it down, but I've had two events cause it to rise to around 21% now. Am I triggering these events somehow? Can I ever lower inflation or need I pray for some event to do so?

--
Finer points:

1. I really lust after Aragon (and wouldn't mind thumping Portugal either), but alas we're buddies and I don't want a huge stab hit. Any tips on provoking them or otherwise getting a CB? Warnings don't do much since they don't attack 'my neighbors.'

2. Allies keep screwing me with peace terms. The peace terms mechanics are VERY similar to EIA, but that was a table top game with other human players so allies could discuss terms, when to fold up, etc... Screw an ally too much and he would help out much the next time.

The AI doesn't seem to care. I've had Allaince Leaders agree to terms that leave with me with nothing, despite the fact that I carried the war and occupied the bulk of the territory. Conversely, when I decide terms, I don't seem to be able to 'get anything' for my ally (reparations or territory).

3. My tech research and infrastructure building seems to be going quite slowly. After progressing to the firstcouple of tech advances in each category, I'm now looking at ~20+ years to progress again! Hmm...

As for the infrastructure building, how will I ever afford all the goodies that the nations have (prebuilt) in the later scenarios. At the rate I'm going (~100d profit per annum) it'll take close to 9 years of zero military or colonization spending to build a single Academy.

--

Tks in advance

 

[suo]

mechanics.

1. maybe you fight in their homewaters and they get the bonus for better wind. Or you are just unlucky.

2. If you are attacker and march across rivers or into difficult terrain like swamp, wood or mountains you ger heavy penalties. Don't know the exact numbers.

3.take the stability hit instead of the inflation in the random events or wait for other random events that will lower the inflation. Before you reach infratech5 there is no other way.

finer things.

1. wait some years, you will get Aragon for free anyway through histric events.

2. Try to be the leader of an alliance, than you make the peace terms. If your allies start a war, try to make separate peace with some gains before your ally.

3. The cost for techlevels is not linear. some steps are harder than others and for every step there is a set year when this tech was common in Europe. If you try to research it before that year, your research cost is increased, later it will be decreased.

Your income will rise over 100d/year. Just be patient.

 

[kurtbrian]

Originally posted by LostLamb

1. Why does my naval morale drop so rapidly? I'll go into combat with 8/12/0 vs a much smaller Algerian or Grenadan fleet (4/0/0 perhaps) and invariably my morale drops faster than theirs - although I am sinking their ships (over many battles) I am 'losing' each encounter.

As long as you keep sinking their ships you should be fine in the long run. I'm not so 'into' naval battels to tell you if you have missed something. Maybe you fought in a sea-zone that was their 'home-zone' ? - click on the zone and see who's got a shield on it. But since you also had that problem on land - have you reduced your maintenence?? If so your morale will be lower and it will be easier for your enemy to win the battles

Originally posted by LostLamb

2. Similar problem on land. Unless I am using my one leader (Luna), my boys usually break and flee with anything significantly less than a 2:1 advantage. (not a cav issue either, most of these are inf v inf). Does everyone around Iberia have better intrinsic combat values than I do? How can I determine what their morale value (as affected by the sliders) is in relation to mine? Their morale just doesn't seem to drop as much per round.

Unlike naval combat, I seem to take comparable losses, too so I can't wear them down save by commiting more troops.
.

Are you attacking into mountain provinces, across rivers etc??
The terrain play a huge part on the outcome of the battle.
Defender get a bonus on mountains and accross rivers. Attackers recieve penalties to their cavalry in forests

Originally posted by LostLamb

3. Inflation! I know I need to keep it down, but I've had two events cause it to rise to around 21% now. Am I triggering these events somehow? Can I ever lower inflation or need I pray for some event to do so?

If it was the corruption event which in one choice gives a plus to inflation always take the other choice even though you don't have the 100 ducats. Sure, you will take a loan but it will be easier(and cheaper in the long run) to pay back a loan.

Originally posted by LostLamb


1. I really lust after Aragon (and wouldn't mind thumping Portugal either), but alas we're buddies and I don't want a huge stab hit. Any tips on provoking them or otherwise getting a CB? Warnings don't do much since they don't attack 'my neighbors.'

I thought they started with one of your national provinces?? That would have given you a permanent CB. Other than that, ally with someone they battle frequently or Claim their throne. The latter will seriously hurt relations with countries you have royal marriages with but if you haven't married everybody it could be thing to do. Aslo you recieve random CB' through events´- pray for good luck!

Originally posted by LostLamb

2. Allies keep screwing me with peace terms. The peace terms mechanics are VERY similar to EIA, but that was a table top game with other human players so allies could discuss terms, when to fold up, etc... Screw an ally too much and he would help out much the next time.

The AI doesn't seem to care. I've had Allaince Leaders agree to terms that leave with me with nothing, despite the fact that I carried the war and occupied the bulk of the territory. Conversely, when I decide terms, I don't seem to be able to 'get anything' for my ally (reparations or territory).

The AI almost always ignore your help during wars, so you are free to do the same. If you beat the enemy and you think that your alliance leader is about to make peace then by all means try to negotiate peace yourself.

And in the reverse situation: You can only give provinces to your allies if you are the alliance leader during the war and you can only give them the provinces they themselves are occupying. as for getting money in peace deals they are split evenly between the alliance when a peace has been made.

Originally posted by LostLamb

3. My tech research and infrastructure building seems to be going quite slowly. After progressing to the firstcouple of tech advances in each category, I'm now looking at ~20+ years to progress again! Hmm...

As for the infrastructure building, how will I ever afford all the goodies that the nations have (prebuilt) in the later scenarios. At the rate I'm going (~100d profit per annum) it'll take close to 9 years of zero military or colonization spending to build a single Academy.

Patience, young Jedi

You have 400 years of gameplay, there will be plenty of time to research and to build manufactories. - alos when your inflation increases then your research tech cost increase as well and if you are narrowminded and decentralized then your tech cost will also rise( domestic sliders)


I hope that this can ghelp you a bit, and come back again as this is a very helpfull Forum. So don't hesitate to ask!

And to show how helpfull it is , then in no more than 10 minutes there will be lots of replies correcting my advice and telling you some better things to do as I'm not one of the truly great players.

 

[Jos Theelen]

One addition: your inflation goes down by events. Especially the "it is an exceptional year"-event, that gives you some money and lowers your inflation with 5, 10 or 15%.

 

[unmerged(9793)]

Much thanks.

I think the terrain issue was what was troubling my land attacks.

I've also managed to find the manual (and some pictures I'm trying to expunge from my memory) by rummaging around through my room mate's stuff, so hopefully I won't be pestering everyone with too many questions.

 

[Baron Jukaga]

Your Land CRT (combat resolution table) doesn't improve until level 9. Battles at levels 1-3 are notoriously random. Since everyone's morale and CRT are so low, a single good roll can decide most battles at the low tech levels. Be patient, it's okay to lose a few battles, as long as you are the one occupying land to prevent him from building more.

 

[Castellon]

Originally posted by LostLamb
Much thanks.

I think the terrain issue was what was troubling my land attacks.

I've also managed to find the manual (and some pictures I'm trying to expunge from my memory) by rummaging around through my room mate's stuff, so hopefully I won't be pestering everyone with too many questions.

If you read the manual you will be here more than if you didn't
The manual is so incomplete as to be worthless. That would be bad enough but it also has lots of wrong info which will confuse you.