What To Do?

[unmerged(13037)]

Ok, I've got this game... and I'm lost. I've started to read the FAQ threads, teh various player guides...

Which seem to add to the confusion.

Let's take the UK - what on Earth should be my first opening moves and why? Should I go to war with uncivilised nations and occupy them?

What factories should I build?

Do I leave the Pops alone, or do I go around India changing them to other tasks?

I mean - EU II was easy to work out what you should be doing... this it's not so clear.

 

[Darkrenown]

The UK is a bit overwhelming for a first game. Perhaps Belgium or brazil would be better? November has written a nice newbie's guide to playing brazil which I can never remember where it is, but I'm sure someone will come along with a link soon enough.

 

[unmerged(13037)]

I also think the UK is too much to start with!!!

I presume this game has hideous amounts of micro-management? Or does the AI do a good job of auto-asinging workers and conducting world trade?

 

[unmerged(30240)]

Start with the USA. You will not have to deal with foreign wars and can focus on building the country. The immigration and exports will help generate income.

As for the civil war, prepare for it starting in the 1850s. Build the divisions, research the tech, and know that the CSA will not have a navy (hence do not focus on the your fleet). As for the Spanish American War, it should be easier and require less troops, but you will need a navy.

One word of advise, if you win the civil war early, the slaves will not be freed. You'll have to edit your saved game file.

 

[Memnon]

November's guide to Brazil has at last been Wikified. It's available here.

Good luck,
Memnon

 

[unmerged(25053)]

Also, after you get used to it some, do NOT let the AI handle anything in your nation. For example, never sell off your initial stockpiles early on since the first day prices are pathetically low. It is best that you control every aspect, from trade to pop management.

 

[Darkrenown]

I also think the UK is too much to start with!!!

I presume this game has hideous amounts of micro-management? Or does the AI do a good job of auto-asinging workers and conducting world trade?

Trade, no, workers yes. I never let the AI handle trade, not even in my first game, but it'll handle workers and auto-assign convoys fine providing you have the pops/ships availible.

 

[unmerged(13037)]

ok - thanks...

So many pops with the UK - it would seem more like work than fun to try and manage everything.

 

[OriginalRafiki]

UK is in many ways a very bad choice for starter nation

Have you take a look at November's guide (at the other end of the link provided by Mamnon)?

Rafiki

 

[unmerged(25053)]

Yeah, UK seems like a load of work. I have not tried it, nor Russia, yet. (From a military and industrial standpoint, in SP (single player) mode, either can run amuck and annihilate the world at will). Still, eventually, almost every player will step up and tackle such monstrosities as the UK.

For first game, tho, probably not.

Belgium has been recommended
Netherlands seems interesting to me
Brazil is ok but kinda out of the way
France is also rather large, and has nice culture efficiency, but poor literacy at start
Austria has the age old problem of culture
Japan and China are not yet 'civilized' in game terms
Sweden will do well since the game is made there
Ottoman Empire is behind the times and can get smacked unless you have strong allies (UK for certain, maybe France, Prussia and even Austria)
USA is ok but for the first 30 years you have industrialize and wait for pop emmigration (TO the US and within it)
Could play Switzerland and just watch
Portugal does not have much so avoid wars but you can colonize like crazy
Spain is big but seems to have poor resources
Sardinia-Piedmont and Two Sicilies require knowledge of industry management, diplomacy and war
Denmark is kinda small, as is Bavaria, but Bavaria can be played if you are aggressive when it counts
And there are others but this is a good run thru

Note that some of the larger powers have a lot of events that can throw you off (some like that kind of play, though. Edit: Oops, I usually play Prussia but it is a tad bit hard for some.

Finally, I highly recommend Memnon's Strategy Guide. U can find link in the FAQ threads.

 

[OriginalRafiki]

Finally, I highly recommend Memnon's Strategy Guide. U can find link in the FAQ threads.

Or in assorted signatures throughout this thread

Rafiki

 

[Memnon]