MP: David & Goliath - Running noob game

[Xanatos]

OK so for Nifleheim, I started, my first thing is to set my taxes to 150 and my main group to patrol, this will lose me some population but give me a big headstart, i need lots of gold to buy them giants.

I also made my Scout a Prophet, and renamed him so I could remember who he is (i like to rename things so i know what they are, but so everyone else doesnt)

[GrudgeBringer]

Map isn't working for me either...

[Immaculate]

Originally Posted by Xanatos

OK so for Nifleheim, I started, my first thing is to set my taxes to 150 and my main group to patrol, this will lose me some population but give me a big headstart, i need lots of gold to buy them giants.

I also made my Scout a Prophet, and renamed him so I could remember who he is (i like to rename things so i know what they are, but so everyone else doesnt)

Yup- pretty similar over here. But 150 is 'the safe side'; for those new players out there, sometimes early cash is VERY important and having a bit of unrest (that can be patrolled down later on), you can go as high as 200%. Sometimes somewhere between 150 and 200 is better. Especially if you have mounted or flying troops (like caelum- they can patrol really good with their flying starting units and 190% is prety safe for them) (please try this out in solo play before you apply it here if you haven't played with this strategy before).

Also remember that there are mecenaries available. I won't say more on the subject but its easy to overlook them when you are new and they can really change the way you play your nation (especially in the early game).

[Yskonyn]

I appreciate the feedback, guys. Raising the tax levels is a common practise early on to get a few bucks quickly?
Are there other means to keep your tabs on the population early game than patrolling?

[Louppatient]

The only other mean I know of is lowering taxes, but that's not interesting here (it is when blood hunting, though).

As for taxes, I do not raise them at start with Tir na n'Og ... I do not have to pay for giants or sacred cavalry, so there's no need to kill off population early for me

[pyg]

Turkey-day break? I will be unable to do turns, due to lack of computer and net access, the 24-27 of this month. Hopefully we can all just have a holiday break, but if not I can find a sub.

I guess it was a little unclear that my declaration of war was directed specifically at experienced players in order to disadvantage myself and otherwise level the playing field.

Originally Posted by Yskonyn

I appreciate the feedback, guys. Raising the tax levels is a common practise early on to get a few bucks quickly?
Are there other means to keep your tabs on the population early game than patrolling?

For a few nations (Hinnom and Niefelheim) you can 1st turn/blind attack with the starting army most of the time and a dozen giants aren't that great at patrolling.

I sort of thought I would find something about this subject linked from The Strategy Index. This is an awesome reference if everyone isn't already aware of it.