Strategies for start of random map game vs. computers

[Tripping Pug]

So I have a non-Steam copy of this game (hence no mouse) and have always had problems starting out on a random map/multiplayer game against computer enemies and need help.

My normal strategy for games like this is in this order:

-Build as many walls and towers as possible.

-Build up my stockpile of resources while building usefull buildings and advancing.

-Create military units and kill the bad guy.

The problem is that every time I start a game against a computer conroled enemy no matter what I build or do, he sends like one guy with a stick that kills my scout and all of my vilagers before I can even train a guy of my own. If he doesn't succeed the first time, he sends another guy and he kills them off. And I lose. Every time.

It doesn't seem to matter what kind of player I set them as, wether it's builder whatever, or the dificulty I play on.

So, what are you fine folk's strategies/priorities for starting out?

[Azarath]

Yes, yes indeed there is help:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4iMDr9T_io

Short: You have to start makeing villagers when the game starts. Then never stop makeing villagers and make your economy good enough to maintain villager production and dont get popped/build houses to never stop makeing villagers.

Since you are new at this, just keep to this rules:
- When the game starts, loop villagers.
- Have Economy and Population to maintain the villager loop.
- The only time your TC is not makeing villagers is while you advance.ages. Or when you maxed out on villagers/reached the villager limit. (80 vills, less for Atlanteans, If norse stop earlier if not Ragnarok because they get 80 vills and 40 dwarves)
- Dont have idle villagers. Have all of them always working on ressources or buildings.
- Have efficient villager walk distances. Build granaries/storehouses whenever needed. Nowerdays people even build two storehouses on only one gold mine so that villagers dont have to walk to the further one. But usually: One hunt-patch -> one storehouse. One Goldmine->One Storehouse with just enough place inbetween the storehouse and the goldmine to have villagers there. Move some there so that they dont have to walk but just turn around to drop gold. Forest cut too far? Another storehouse/lumbercamp closer to the forest. Farms? First layer around the TC.

Also with F3 or F4 or F11 you can open up a game timer below the godpowers. This is important to know when to advance, not too early, not too late.


But everything of that and even more is also explained in the video I posted. Very good one. Following it helped me to beat ~3 hard bots back then.

[Phaneuf]

On which difficult are you playing? On the easiest mode, the computer build not so much units for fighting and its impossible to loose.

[Tripping Pug]

So build villagers forever (or at least untill I have a lot). I usualy just make about 4-6 for each resource and 2-4 for building, so maybe I'll try this in the near future.

Haven't watched the video yet. I will sometime today.

I'm planing on playing on medium or normal or whatever it is. I haven't played in a few months so I can't recall the exact names for some stuff, sorry.

Edit: Though I have tried it on easy, and without a few military units starting out I get killed pretty quick.

[Azarath]

I thought easy doesn't attack you at all.. o_O at least in the old TT it didnt. Or was it an Easy-Attacker?..