Re: Tips for newbs - just add
 

Don't view your mages simply as research batteries. Many nations profit from using (some) early mages as artillery.

Using Hold and Attack with infantry is almost always better than simply Attacking when you have archer support. (About the only exception is when your normal infantry have missile weapons, such as EA Ulm or any 'legionnaire'.)

Re: Tips for newbs - just add
 

When you have an elite army type which is vulnerable to missle fire (something like EA Tien Chi warriors of the 5 elements) Place a decoy unit of 5 or so throw away or shield untis at the front left of the battle and have them on "Guard Commander" orders. Place a commander at the rear left of the battlefield with "holdx5" orders. Place your elite units in the middle. The computers archers will target the forward placed units on guard order and will keep moving forward to shoot the units who are moving back to guard the commander on "hold X5" This allows your elite units to slaughter the incoming infantry without taking missle fire and then proceed to the archers who will be closer to your elites. *Note* watch for enemy light infantry with Javelins as they will throw them at your elite missle vulnerable troops"

You can use this tactic to create 2nd and 3rd expansion armies very quickly with elite Blessable troops that would normally get decimated by archer fire.

Re: Tips for newbs - just add
 

If someone offers a non-aggression pact (NAP), never give an unconditional "no" when a conditional "yes" will almost always work much more in your favor -- and that's vastly understating things.

Re: Tips for newbs - just add
 

Don't put an "Eye" magic item on a commander missing an eye.

Re: Tips for newbs - just add
 

Don't leave your army's blood mages unscripted in battle, or they will cast "Hellfire" and get themselves horror marked. (unless of course they are expendable)

Re: Tips for newbs - just add
 

Also, don't be like the AI and give your Cyclops an Eye of Aiming. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...s/rolleyes.gif

Re: Tips for newbs - just add
 

Blood slaves are pooled among all blood mages standing next to each other, so unless you want blood slaves being used up unscripted, keep commanders with slaves on the other side of the screen of any blood mages you don't want casting blood spells.

Re: Tips for newbs - just add
 

Ignore the arena battle for SP games... the AI opponents will always send their large pretenders. The prize is not worth the risk.

Sit back and watch the AI pretenders kill each other.

Re: Tips for newbs - just add
 

If you teleport underwater commanders to land, do not forget to give them a an Amulet of Fish.

Re: Tips for newbs - just add
 

I am strongly opposed to this thread.http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/evil.gif

It's ruining any chances of amusing first posts.http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/smirk.gif