Opening Gambit

[tratorix]

Generally you want as many of your expensive mages as possible in the late game, and since these 400+ mages are usually cap only you want to start recruiting them ASAP. However, early expansion should pretty much always take priority over mages. Unless you have a awake SC pretender you can lean on for expansion, your first focus should be getting a second expansion party out.

[JonBrave]

So should I take my starting party out "as-is" on turn #1? Then anything I build goes to a second new army, not to bolster my starters?

See also the other new thread I've just posted, wrt whether an awake Pretender should go with the first party?

[tratorix]

No, generally you're going to want to wait for scouting reports turn one, so you have some idea of the resistance you will face. Hiring troops to bolster your starting army turn one is a good idea though. Some people also up the taxes on their capital turn one and patrol with they're starting army, which gives a nice income boost. Just don't forget to reset taxes the next turn.