Advice for a first playthrough

[dbemont]

Just starting out, and from what I can see, there's a lot of nuance to the domestic side of the game. Just figuring out the possibilities and how they play out.

So what would be a good starter kingdom to learn on? Not to try to "win" or to do anything militarily ambitious, but just to go for a while learning the ropes and probably be unmolested by neighbors for a while. But also not be so weak that options are unduly limited.

[choppinlt]

Honestly there are lots of solid choices here. I would say a kingdom that has at least a province formed. None are going to be without challenge depending on circumstances. I have been hearing Scotland as a good first time choice. I like France, and Poland wasn't a bad starter either. Again there are many good choices here, I would DEFINITELY avoid really small kingdoms (e.g. Taifas) or big ones (HRE, Byzants). But here is the good news...you can restart as many times as you want as you get the hang of it!

[Vibe High!]

I started as Scotland. =)))))))))))

[kezthezek]

Poland or Georgia.

[prenticea]

England is pretty good - you are strong, have vassals so can learn about that, good starting leader, generally peaceful start.

Appoint Peers of the realm - prioriitise high admin leaders.

Start building buildings - early on food & infra, then money/metal/manpower/stewardship/loyalty/piety in roughly that order.

Give a high priority to 0 slot buildings, and harbours and roads in particular.

Slowly build up your standing army til max retinue.

Early good decisions to improve chances of are Develop region, remove hostile, promote peasant to freedman

Make nice with anyone you dont want to target - try to gift and buy cooperation.

Absorbing vassals is generally a good idea - you will need to boost relations to 50+, and the appoint Peers of the realm ,and you wont lose overall on Demesne.

Do not ally unless it looks very compelling.

Do not go to war without establishing claims by forging them (RGD) or copious insulting.

Good luck , have fun.

[Oubley]

Originally posted by dbemont:

Just starting out, and from what I can see, there's a lot of nuance to the domestic side of the game. Just figuring out the possibilities and how they play out.

So what would be a good starter kingdom to learn on? Not to try to "win" or to do anything militarily ambitious, but just to go for a while learning the ropes and probably be unmolested by neighbors for a while. But also not be so weak that options are unduly limited.

Did Uliad/Ulster, Ireland guys didn't seem to bad for learning the ropes. I don't know if I'd give priority to 0 slot buidings if learning. You're probably going to want to have items that you can use to shuffle later on.

In the top center there is a coat of arms icon ~ click that "national panel" one of the links in there going to have a lot of the "caps"/max values you are allowed

also while in that "national" section check out the "token"/realm progression (I think its the top left icon in the "national/coat of arms area" there a bit more growth/decay governement options it seems. As Ireland county there like 3-4 layers of just "duchy" progression.

I'm up to #7 at turn ~189 and about to be #5 so I think even the small countries you'll be able to put in a good showing.

I don't know about others, but I've been hitting end turn the last 50 turns, so maybe take things slow and not feel like you need to be in a hurry.

The larger AI nations seem to all fall apart at some point.

[Patrus]

I would not advise playing very small nation on first gov tier (like Ulster) on your first game. Maybe later, when you have some experience and want some special challenge.

It is pretty difficult and possibly dull (in my opinion). You are very restricted - at the beginning you can have only 2 regions without penalty to authority. It is possible to increase it, but it may be very time-consuming and possibly challenging process. You will spend a lot of time just progressing to the next turn, waiting for your authority to build up or for the progress tokens.

There are a lot of things that depend on luck. If you are lucky and get good leader, you can field decent army and do some conquest. If not, you are limited to very small army and you are screwed.

I don't know about others, but I've been hitting end turn the last 50 turns, so maybe take things slow and not feel like you need to be in a hurry.

Yes, that's one of the reasons, I wouldn't recommend it.

[PocusFR]

Version 1.01 will add many historical rulers with pre-drawn stats (AMP) and abilities. This will fix much of the initial luck (or lack of it) if you pick a good ruler at the start (you can check the ruler's stats in the faction lobby).

Also, the Easy difficulty will be easier and can kick-start you. Once ready, switch to Balanced.