Favorite place to play in the 769 start?

[Salem Graves]

I'm a sucker for playing as a count because I like feeling like I deserve this kingdom rather than just starting as a king. I've spent most of my time in Ireland or playing a shattered realm game, but I know that's the easiest way to play the game, and I think I'm ready to graduate to the next level. I've heard playing within the Byzantine empire can be fun but challenging, so where do you guys enjoy playing, specifically as a count in the 769 start (if you swear by another start date, let me know why! I've never tried another start date)

[durthacht]

I've only just started playing the game so although I started in 769, I'm still figuring out how to play in Ireland.

[barracuda-rostigraben]

If you feel like punching above your weight, the Petty Kingdom of Wessex is good. Agnatic primo right off the bat, which you can swap to agnatic-cognatic either immediately or after bribing one or two vassals. One niggling thing is you have to break the tributary contracts the Petty Kingdom of Mercia has with your neighbors outside of Surrey and Sussex. Nothing a well-timed assassination can't solve.

[KG]

Originally posted by VirazolKaine:

I'm a sucker for playing as a count because I like feeling like I deserve this kingdom rather than just starting as a king. I've spent most of my time in Ireland or playing a shattered realm game, but I know that's the easiest way to play the game, and I think I'm ready to graduate to the next level. I've heard playing within the Byzantine empire can be fun but challenging, so where do you guys enjoy playing, specifically as a count in the 769 start (if you swear by another start date, let me know why! I've never tried another start date)

If you've never played other start dates I suggest trying 867 or 1066 instead... but I don't really have a favorite. I like variety so I don't think I've played anything more than once except Charlemagne (the game hates it when I try to semi-historically recreate what he did).

Originally posted by durthacht:

I've only just started playing the game so although I started in 769, I'm still figuring out how to play in Ireland.

796 is not the recommended Ireland start for a new player! Restart, pick 1066. If you find that a bit slow/boring, use the speed setting in the upper right to go faster. Reduce during wartime.

[teron]

While it is a duke level (with one city) Venice in 769 can be an interesting start. Though the first bit of it is more consolidating your hold on the island and building up your economy. You are sandwitched between Italy and the Byzantine empire which can make things a bit touch and go at the start if they decide to go after you.

You can also go the route of joining the Byzantine empire and taking it over from within. Since it lets you Imperial Administration (+25 vassal limit) as a republic.

[Bronski]

When I did the achievement playing from 769 to the end I started in the county of Rouen to get the Duchy of Normandy. If you immediately start kissing your king's backside right at the start he will probably give you the duchy title once he creates it.

I mostly just built up a strong army in Normandy and got myself involved in other people's stuff. I didn't worry too much about expanding outside of my De Jure lands. I had fun trying to manipulate things in France. Also created the Norman culture.

[KG]

Originally posted by teron:

You can also go the route of joining the Byzantine empire and taking it over from within. Since it lets you Imperial Administration (+25 vassal limit) as a republic.

Afaik Imperial Admin gets disabled in recent patches even if you get it that way.

[durthacht]

Originally posted by durthacht:

I've only just started playing the game so although I started in 769, I'm still figuring out how to play in Ireland.

Originally posted by KG:

796 is not the recommended Ireland start for a new player! Restart, pick 1066. If you find that a bit slow/boring, use the speed setting in the upper right to go faster. Reduce during wartime.

Okay, but why is that do you think? I thought the extra few hundred years would help learn the game. I'm on my third generation and have just formed the Duchy of Ulster and I'm eyeing up Meath next, although making no progress, but I have a betrothal organised for Ossory as a longer term plan. I kinda feel I'm making some gains so I'd be reluctant to stop now. Why would 1066 be a better start time in Ireland do you think?

[Edge]

Kiev

[KG]

1066 Ireland is considered a good learning location because it is simple. Little chance of large outside powers elbowing in and Feudal Catholic so you're forced to learn about claim fabrication, play the marriage game, deal with Catholicism's idiosyncrasies, maybe do some plotting, and so on. Generally get familiar with the game's basic mechanics.

769 Ireland is tribal which complicates that - on top of which you'll soon have swarms of vikings running around, wondering if they can raid, loot, or outright conquer your lands.

[Tristin]

I always start in 769. And usually play as:
Dublin - Ireland
Gwynedd -Wales
Middlesex - England
Nantes - France
Gotland - Sweden
Cheseron - Crimea Peninsula - Byzantine Empire
Venice

[kinkerbel]

Rama - vassal county of a serbic county in a yet to form croatia. In the shadow of the byzantines and the italians. Doing it myself right now, first fought for my independence than took over my former liege, than i took over neighboring dukes to form the kingdom of croatia. And right now i have just finished fighting the italians and byzantines to get all my de jure land. Also took a little extra from the hungarians/magyars. Right now (year 1000) i am planning to slowly take over the byzantine emire by conquest. It is challenging but fun, religion, alliances and economic development are key.

[☭Woodsman☭]

Since you've already dabbled with catholic tribals I'd recommend vikings for your next 769 start. Pagans can be far more aggressive than Irish catholics. Like others mentioned, 1066 is the ideal date for learning to play as feudal.

[Salem Graves]

Originally posted by TheWoodsman:

Since you've already dabbled with catholic tribals I'd recommend vikings for your next 769 start. Pagans can be far more aggressive than Irish catholics. Like others mentioned, 1066 is the ideal date for learning to play as feudal.

I've though about it, but I'm not a big fan of raiding. (I know, blasphemy!)

[Shai-Hulud]

The 1066 start date is so much more fleshed out than the earlier dates. The only times I ever play in the other time periods is playing pagan, or specific historical characters.

[durthacht]

Originally posted by KG:

1066 Ireland is considered a good learning location because it is simple. Little chance of large outside powers elbowing in and Feudal Catholic so you're forced to learn about claim fabrication, play the marriage game, deal with Catholicism's idiosyncrasies, maybe do some plotting, and so on. Generally get familiar with the game's basic mechanics.

769 Ireland is tribal which complicates that - on top of which you'll soon have swarms of vikings running around, wondering if they can raid, loot, or outright conquer your lands.

Okay thanks for that. Forgot about the blasted vikings.