Scouting Importance - Know thy Enemy!

[Pirateiam]

Scouting Importance - Know thy Enemy!

Probably the most neglected strategy in this game is scouting. I find that my lack of scouting always comes back to haunt me. If playing single player this does not matter as much but in multiplayer, I am coming to the conclusion it is one of the most important early tasks that should be done. Knowing your neighbors themes and army make-up is a huge importance. A good example is when playing as Ulm (standard) I got caught with my pants down when to my shock my closest neighbor was Soul Gate Ermor. Now if I had known this on turn 3 or 4 (not turn 12) I would have been focusing on a specific strategy (blade wind and Herald lances). But instead I had focused on something different. Also seeing your enemies' army disposition is crucial. So what are your scouting strategies? How much importance do you put on scouting?

[Gandalf Parker]

Knowing where Ermor is can be very important. At what point should I start making nothing but priests?

Scouts are pretty automatic with me. I love to explore anyway. And I try very hard to never pass up a chance to create commanders (alot of times scouts are the only commander I can afford that turn).

I try to keep a ring of them around me all the time. When an AI is coming toward me I try to keep the scouts in indep provinces just ahead of them so that I can watch as many of their combats as possible before they get to me.

Neglected?

I think it has been repeated over and over that most players recruit as many scouts as they can get their hands on in every province they own.