Whoa...talk about Duck Soup!

[Wolftrap]

Okay, I LOVE the atmosphere of this game...it's got a charming quality to it - and the graphics are beautifully done. But when I started the demo (I can't print out the tutorial because my printer's broken) it was like putting together a complex puzzle...so many choices! Where to start? What does what, how, and when? I said before that I'm a FPS and RPG gamer...but I sense something here. I'm actually looking forward to learning this.

But..how long does it take to finish an average human vs. computer game?

[Meglobob]

Wolftrap said:But..how long does it take to finish an average human vs. computer game?

Depends how quick you play.

Try silent seas map with 4 nations, you can complete games on that in just a few hrs, a day and is a good way to begin.

Well a MP could last 3-9 months depending on size. Of course turns are usually once every 24hrs then 48hrs then 72hrs as your empire gets bigger.

Its really very simple at the beginning, press F1 and this will show you your entire empire.

Simply go through each province giving your orders to your leaders, select a research school, recruit more leaders and more army. Clicking on a leader and the defend order will show you all the orders available to him.

As you grow your empire and research it gets more and more complex/fun.

At the start you are probably best concentrating on your national army units/leaders and using limited magic.

The magic system is probably the hardest/most complex part of the game to learn.

Play an awake dragon is a good way to start, the dragon can conquer most indies on is own.

[RobO]

Thanks, Meglobob. That's good advice. I'm new to this as well, and a bit overwhelmed. Trying out nations one at a time using the demo while I wait for the full game to appear in my mailbox.

I do find, however, that I tend to use the map to give orders first, as I need the map to come up with a plan for the next few turns. I then use the overview (F1) to check up on things - typically looking for heroes that I forgot.

And while we're at the basic stuff - How do I get into the water with a landbased nation? Water nations tend to have amphibs, but the reverse does not seem to be the case. I presume it's a question of making a magic item which may not be available in the demo (it stops after 3 or 4 years). Is that so?

[Hadrian_II]

RobO said:
And while we're at the basic stuff - How do I get into the water with a landbased nation? Water nations tend to have amphibs, but the reverse does not seem to be the case. I presume it's a question of making a magic item which may not be available in the demo (it stops after 3 or 4 years). Is that so?

Yes there are items in water and air magic, that allow water breathing (non amphibious troops to enter the sea) some of them are avilable in the demo. Later you can also summon troops that are amphibious like living statues or various undead.

[thejeff]

You can also recruit amphibious independents. Icthyids, mostly.
Or an amphibious pretender. A Wyrm can take most underwater indies from turn one. Once you've got a foothold, you can recruit underwater troops.

It's hard to fight actual water nations that way, but it's a start.

[Edratman]

As for the commnders that you have missed, hit the "n" key. It will scroll through the commanders that have not been issued orders. It is easy and very necessary.

Enjoy.

[NTJedi]

Wolftrap said:
But..how long does it take to finish an average human vs. computer game?

In answering your question this depends on the size of the map, skill/knowledge of the game, the nation you play, the strength achieved by AI opponents via middle/late game and whether or not you've setup the game with some type of victory conditions.

The game takes about 30mins to learn all the basics, but the game has great depth so even after several months you'll recognize new strategies. And as more months pass you'll feel confident enough to provide the AI opponents with great advantages such as setting them up as allies or providing them a strong set of scales.