Re: early game expansion tactics
 

The problem with mercs is that, without the ability to actually look at what you're purchasing, the hiring can be a total crapshoot. Some of them are quite good....others have less than memorable names and less than memorable performance. Mercs tend to be a lot more useful in multiplayer than singleplayer as well: The AI tends to aggressively grab every merc in sight, whereas in multiplayer, many human players will likely neglect them. Some of them are neglected for good reason, being that they cost too much and aren't very good, but I've noticed that the prices on mercs can get really low if they've been unemployed for awhile. I've picked up fairly useful and decent ones like Terminus or Obscuro for the low, low price of $8. That's what I call a real steal.

Somebody ought to write a Complete Dom2 Guide to Mercs: who rules, and who drools.

Re: early game expansion tactics
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Cool. This is the most useful tip I've seen in a while. Wish I'd thought of it myself ... </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Checking the indep strength is not its only use.

I'll never forget my first Dominions 1 demo game. One of the first independent provinces I conquered had a Harab Seraph wielding dual KotDs - and, guess what? my pretender picked one and my prophet the other. A bit later I encountered a Hoburg champion sporting a Lycanthropos amulet. And in the next battle I realized a Seraphine prophet with a KotD and a Lycanthropos amulet isn't really useful in a battle. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif

Now I routinely probe Hoburg and Harab indeps (among a few others) with a cheap commander before committing promising leaders.

Re: early game expansion tactics
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">And the lesson continues ...

Thanks! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: early game expansion tactics
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">If I get this right, you're asking about how to be more competitive in MP. IMO the easiest way to do this is to focus more on early expansion and wait with the site searching (which is unreliable anyway).

Playing standard Pangea, I would focus on Centaur Warriors. Throw in some cheap troops as arrow fodder, placed in front of the CWs on hold and attack (the indep archers will keep firing at the fodder throughout the battle). As Norfleet said, use excessive force to keep the expansion rolling. Additional armies produced in your capital can converge with your primary army when taking strong indies. CWs are gold rather than research heavy - consider this when choosing what provinces to take first.

Research Ench 3 for Ironskin before getting into battle with your Great Mother. Then start into construction - Reinvigoration items (Con 4), the charcol shield, luck items etc. In MP, try trading for these if you can't forge them yourself.

Final tip - use unoccupied commanders to attack the provinces you plan to conquer next. Have them in the back with retreat orders. Watching the battle replay will give you an exact account of the indep force.

Re: early game expansion tactics
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Cool. This is the most useful tip I've seen in a while. Wish I'd thought of it myself ...