have you tried MultiPlayer mode yet?

[Gandalf Parker]

You can try solo games with multiple nations as human players. If you know the nations well enough to know its pros and cons then you might want to experiment with which nations make the best allies to trade off of your shortcomings. Does your heavily armored nation do best in combo with a stealth nation for info? Or maybe providing front line defense for a long-game magic researching nation? Are there gems you tend to build up and not use which can be of particular use to another nation which has a gem income you can make use of.

There is a sub-forum here called Dom 3 Multiplayer and AARs. Its more than just a place that MP games are posted for joining. You can read the threads about the ongoing game and get alot of information about MP gaming. You can also see that its a very light-hearted community here so dont feel as if you need to be an expert before joining a game. And sometimes a game will post looking for a replacement player to fill in.

Hey! You new players!
Grabbing one of these replacement slots is a great way to check out MP games without concern over comments. It will be scales you didnt pick, a pretender that might not match the way you play, and often a bad spot in the game. You have ready-made excuses if you dont do well, and plenty of room to crow if you do.

[crumply]

Thanks. That was helpful.

[Endoperez]

There's also a Dominions 3 IRC Channel. It's not quite as easy to get a game now as it was a month or two ago, but it's still a good place to ask for advice, as long as you remember that these strategies were usually formed by playing "blitz" games. The premise of these games is killing your neighbour as quickly as possible, preferably before turn 10, and then killing all the other players as quickly as possible, preferably before turn 30. In blitz games, there's no space for flashy strategies, or even "okay" or "good" strategies. If you ask for advice, you're going to be given a strategy so optimized you won't realize it's for the same game!

[Evilhomer]

Also most blitz games in that channel is played using the mod conceptual balance, a mod that does a good job at balancing the game (nations, bless-rushes etc)..

Of course you can still ask questions about the base game =)

[Ezco]

Yes I have. My first long term Dominions game is currently running and I even played and lost fair and square my first blitz against that Evil Homer. My advice to new players is
to first beat AI at least on easy and normal settings, but even if you don't you can do pretty well in a long term multiplayer game by being more socially acceptable. Here is some few advices I have for complete newbies that will come handy. (maybe i'll write a faq some day but I'm pretty lazy and these are only meant for more than 2 player game and are quite general no matter what the game is)

1. Use diplomacy, send messages, trade gems, make alliances. Some people try to make remove diplomacy from their games in more than 1vs1 games not viable but I'm sorry to say that is just not possible. Pacts are pacts even if they are wordless and people like me who play to win tend to go after the biggest obstacle (most powerful nation). Because thats just a smart thing to do.

2. Keep your promises almost always. I don't mean mean that you cannot backstab someone but if you will make it count. You will never make that guy trust you again completely. Your best ally is a nation who is as powerful as you are.

3. If you're about to be rushed by a larger nation threaten to give your assets (magic items, gems, money) to their biggest threat. That stops a smart enemy. If doesn't pay his biggest threat to protect you.

4. If you somehow manage to be most powerful nation. Lie, deceit, mislead and finally most powerful weapon against stupid players WHINE. Accuse someone of having weapons of mass destruction (Super Combanants, very large armies, hidden troops etc), because if they're smart they have some. And that whining can seed sow seeds of discord among stupid people (Not fair you ganging up on me! etc). Just don't try it on me, because I will come after you even if you're not the biggest nation.

5. Reasons someone does not send you any messages:
- They're stupid or trying to buy time to attack you. So always attack someone who is playing a mute game.

6. Big army = big upkeep. It does not pay to be at peace with everyone if most of your income goes to upkeeping your troops. So pick a target but do so carefully and if possible declare war publicly.

I would now like to take time and say this. Play to the bitter end and you'll learn much more, there is always hope. I play to win and go after my biggest threat even if it risks a quicker demise. If you play only to survive you will propably survive longer but never win a game (I tend to look down on those kinds of players).

7. None of this is really important to win (I haven't won over 2 player game) a game, but I still think you should consider these things when you make your decisions.

Just have to add this. I'm living in a cold forest country without any resources or large pop. But we have quite good research and diplomats so we're doing OK.