Help, read all the faqs, playing demo, dont know how to PLAY...

[Smauler]

I've been playing the game for about 1 week now. I've won a couple now (well won one, the other I was realloy dominating by turn 40).

I don't use my god for combat at all, basically. I generally will use a crappy human pick. Give them at least 3 in water, death and nature. All that they will be used for is searching for these shrines. Add 3 to cold, and select Niefenhelm. Raise dominion up to at least 6, select (probably) Castle as your fortificatation type, and use the other picks how you like.

Create a new game. Change starting provinces to 3 or so, special sites to 75, intedependent strength to 5 or so, everything else the same.

Therefore, using Jotunhelm, with Niefenhelm. First turn, grab a Gygja or perhaps a Skratti for research. Contiue adding these for research, I generally end up on turn 40 with about 8-10. Research conjuration until you get to at least level 3. Then you should be able to revive Banes and Wights with at least a couple of your Gygjas. If you can't (you need 2 death), give one or two of them empowerment up to 2 death. Revive a Bane, then repeatedly revive wights (shift-M). You could also research to level 4, empower to 3 death, and summon shade beasts too, but it's not necessary.
Also, empower your Skratti(s) to water 2 if you don't have one, and cast summon ice drake repeatedly with them. When you have enough Nature gems empower a Skratti up to 3 (or you have a lucky Skratti with 3 nature already), and repeatedly summon pride of lions.

I generally just produce Jotun Godes as commanders (Priest level 3, leadership 25), and Jotun Axemen or Jotun woodsmen as troops. When you have enough money, go for Niefel Jarls and Niefel Giants if you like. Just carry on producing as much as you can afford, you should be able to get 3 or 4 or more axemen every turn, just do this every turn, because resources are your limiting factor generally, not gold.

Just carry on attacking easy neighbouring provinces, especially those with decent incomes. Your god should be just wandering around, searching for magic sites, and after a while you should be able to start summoning (see top). Basically, don't attack anything you think you might lose.

This is just the tactic I use, I've only been playing the demo for a week or so, so I've no idea how this tactic would play in a longer game, but it seems to work pretty well for me now. Anyway, good luck .

[ July 22, 2004, 06:18: Message edited by: Smauler ]