Wondering How to Start Out

[The Grim Squeaker]

Hi,

I've had FOGII on my wish list for a while and I see it is now on offer.

I'm a miniatures wargamer so I'm aware of these types of rules. Not these exact ones, but I've played plenty where it takes time to change formation, where units get disrupted and rout and units around them may break etc. So I'm confident I will like FOGII.

The base game looks excellent value, a no brainer.

But then a see the complete set - I'm tempted by the all the DLCs - the completeness not having to choose one over the others. But realistically will I get round to playing them any time soon - how much do you get out of the base game before feeling the need to turn to DLC. It's great value but then it is £24 more than the base game - not much but it is if I never find the time to play them.

And then there is Empires. I understand that it is a separate game in its own right and can be played on its own but also that it can link with FOGII.

Generally, I like the idea of civilisation type games, love the idea of the maps but generally get board with managing money, food, diplomacy, building things, researching things. So maybe Empires is not for me - but not sure - is Empires like Civilisation or is it much lighter.

Out of interest, if you had around £35 to spend would you go for

Base plus all DLC

or

Base plus Empires

Many thanks,

Nigel

[albrightwillie0]

You don't need any DLC to enjoy the game. You can add them as they come on sale or just the periods that interest you.

Empires is very deep so you have to be ready for that. If you want to spend your budget, get FOG+Empires and add the next earlier FOG DLC when you are ready.

It's a great combo and often the two games are offered as a package.

Deeter

[Athos1660]

Buy FoGII base game today, fall in love, buy the DLCs tomorrow :-)

Buy FoG: Empire only if you like Grand strategy à la Paradox Interactive.

Each FoGII DLC is about a different time period (Roman Empire, Early Middle Ages…). So you can also choose your favorite period(s) if you have any. All the DLCs are really great.

[zenos]

I haven't played it but I definitely think Empires is more complex than a Civilisation game, it's better compared to Europa Universalis maybe. Personally I prefer tactical games so I would choose the DLCs which are all great. There is enough content in the base game to last until Christmas so you can always add some DLCs later if you enjoy the game.

[The Grim Squeaker]

Hi, I went ahead and just bought the base game.

Am I missing something?

I went into Tutorials section and selected the first tutorial.

I was expecting, how do I describe this, well, a tutorial.

Instead all I seem to get is "here's a game, get on with it".

I do have some experience with war gaming (so not a complete novice), I read the messages as you select and hover over things but basically I didn't have much idea what I was doing and got soundly beaten by the Romans.

What am I missing here?

I want to give it a go rather than just giving up and refunding.

Should add, that I have already found this

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1236153179

which looks so promising, but the beginners guide part 1 starts out by saying "I assume you have done the tutorials" - well that's me, failed at the first hurdle.

[spurchase1961]

Try Snuggle Bunnies Field of Glory 2 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjUQy6dEqR53NwoGgjxixLg

He is very good at explaining the mechanics and the pros and cons of units, and the tactics to use. Best of luck.

[Athos1660]

Also read the manual, especially p. 46-92 (in particular the tables, sections 14.2 and 15).

[Outis]

Links from official forum to guides

I Strongly Recommend these Strategy Guides
http://www.slitherine.com/forum/viewtopic.php?
f=477&t=101501&sid=a2b2eb2941364605cd760decbacd688c

Beginner's Guide Video Series
http://www.slitherine.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=477&t=81192&sid=a2b2eb2941364605cd760decbacd688c

[Outis]

Originally posted by The Grim Squeaker:

Hi, I went ahead and just bought the base game.

Am I missing something?

I went into Tutorials section and selected the first tutorial.

I was expecting, how do I describe this, well, a tutorial.

Instead all I seem to get is "here's a game, get on with it".

I do have some experience with war gaming (so not a complete novice), I read the messages as you select and hover over things but basically I didn't have much idea what I was doing and got soundly beaten by the Romans.

What am I missing here?

Yes the tutorials really do not do a good job of walking you through the game mechanics. I am just starting too.

I would suggest playing the first tutorial a few times to understand the basics: Movement, Shooting, Command, and Morale.

Then move on to the 2nd and play it a few times to understand more advanced use of Command, unit deployment, and unit tactics.

I have not gotten to the third tutorial yet.

Tutorial messages are a pain since they pop up everytime, just hit the SPACE bar and it will go away.

[SnuggleBunny]

The tutorials for this game and its sister games are actually pretty hard for tutorials. Don't feel bad about losing them. Have the manual open in another window so you can CTRL+F for concepts as they come up. Turn on Detailed Tooltips for the full breakdown on various interactions. If you use Combat Reports, set those to detailed as well. You can also CTRL+click on any unit to get the rundown on its capabilities. Finally, feel free to ask any questions here or on the Slitherine forum, the community is very friendly and happy to help out newcomers.

[pinwolf]

The absolute basics of the PoA rule system is this:

If you have 100 PoA more then the enemy - than you have a 50% chance to win.

[Zarkarion]

Originally posted by pinwolf:

The absolute basics of the PoA rule system is this:

If you have 100 PoA more then the enemy - than you have a 50% chance to win.

...the round of combat, and only 1% chance of losing it. (with a 49% chance it will be a draw).

So you are 50 times more likely to win it than lose it.

The unit that loses a round of combat, must take a Cohesion Test and may drop to Disrupted, which is the start of the slippery slope, or even Fragmented, which is a gnat's breath away from breaking.