Is Zulu any good to play as?

[[Z] EMKP]

idk what else to say other than is it viable long-term?

[harrisone16]

It's in a region with a lot of resources - conquering Transval, Orange and Gaza might be viable. The problem is the Zulu have the worst tech in the game, that's not hyperbolic, they literally are last. Basic things like tooling workshops you have to research. I enjoy playing pretty blank nations and building them up, so it could be a fun challenge run.

[vortex_13]

It's really difficult. You can't even build basic buildings and all your neighbors have better troops.

[[Z] EMKP]

is it possible to catch up technologically?

[nikoxentium]

yeh, but you need to invest a lot and it will take decades.

[[Z] EMKP]

do i need to build universities and stuff?

[harrisone16]

Originally posted by Z EMKP:

do i need to build universities and stuff?

It's generally a good idea to do that with any nation, but you'll need to focus on super basic stuff first before you can afford them. I'm not even 100% sure you start with the tech to build them. The one time I played Zulu was back when custom unions were a thing and you could piggyback off another power - maybe you can wiggle your way into a power block?

[harrisone16]

Originally posted by vortex_13:

It's really difficult. You can't even build basic buildings and all your neighbors have better troops.

You do start with MORE troops just WORSE troops - in theory, with a few good generals and some luck you may be able to squeeze out a day 1 war victory.

[[Z] EMKP]

Hm. but does building universities increase research speed?

[vortex_13]

Originally posted by Z EMKP:

Hm. but does building universities increase research speed?

Yes, but you can't even build Universities as Zulu at first and even when you do get them your literacy is so low you'll have problems staffing it.

[Tasteless]

No but they are a good state to take as it gives access to Transvaal and Orange. Those two states have a lot of gold.

[SIX]

Originally posted by vortex_13:

Originally posted by Z EMKP:

Hm. but does building universities increase research speed?

Yes, but you can't even build Universities as Zulu at first and even when you do get them your literacy is so low you'll have problems staffing it.

Using the free 10 building points to build a university first is probably the optimal Strat that and using education access decree ofc. Gaza is free land since it doesn't have troops. Then it's all about waiting for orange and Transvaal to not be guaranteed by the British anymore

[vortex_13]

Originally posted by SIX:

Originally posted by vortex_13:

Yes, but you can't even build Universities as Zulu at first and even when you do get them your literacy is so low you'll have problems staffing it.

Using the free 10 building points to build a university first is probably the optimal Strat that and using education access decree ofc. Gaza is free land since it doesn't have troops. Then it's all about waiting for orange and Transvaal to not be guaranteed by the British anymore

You can't build a university as Zulu. They don't have the tech. They don't even have the first tech on that tree researched. You have to get to Acadamia first and if you research that first that keeps you from building ports and manufacturies since they lack those techs also.

[nikoxentium]

Originally posted by vortex_13:

Originally posted by Z EMKP:

Hm. but does building universities increase research speed?

Yes, but you can't even build Universities as Zulu at first and even when you do get them your literacy is so low you'll have problems staffing it.

you can use promotion decree, it will be enouth but yes , its a hardcore play

[harrisone16]

If you’re looking for an African nation to play - I’d try Sokoto, they have most resources, easy neighbors to conquer and by taking Massina a bit to the west you can get a really powerful special building that massively increases education access in the region. Another big struggle with Zulu will be population, assuming you survive and start industrializing, your SOL will be so low for so long that getting migrants will be tough.

[vortex_13]

Originally posted by harrisone16:

If you’re looking for an African nation to play - I’d try Sokoto, they have most resources, easy neighbors to conquer and by taking Massina a bit to the west you can get a really powerful special building that massively increases education access in the region. Another big struggle with Zulu will be population, assuming you survive and start industrializing, your SOL will be so low for so long that getting migrants will be tough.

I'd suggest one of the Ethiopian countries. You can form Ethipia pretty easily by conquering your neighbors and then you can modernize and colonize pretty easily. you're pretty safe from the major powers for a while.