How the hell do I succeed as Liu Bei?

[Butterlord]

I've tried playing as him like 15 times now, he's my favorite character so I really want to succeed but everything happens so ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ fast in his campaign and no matter what by turn 18-24 I'm up against Cao Cao with at least 1 full army, a random ally he ALWAYS manages to bring in whether it's Yuan Shao or someone even closer, and the Yellow Turbans always re-declaring war on me if I peace treaty them, which I usually do.

Does anyone have any early game strategies on how to play Liu Bei?

[RCMidas]

Easiest way is to kill Kong Rong and then Huang Shao - leaving the former alive forces you to expand towards the rest of the map, and you should never leave the Yellow Turbans alive or at peace - and then settle the rest of the peninsula. Cao Cao should be able to peace out with you no problem if you have stayed on the offensive up until now.

Alternatively, just leave your territory entirely and sail down at full speed to the south, and start snapping up some of Sun Jian's territory or the abandoned towns nearby. You'll make loads of friends if you beat up on the Tiger of Jiangdong for long enough, whilst gradually filling up the Southlands that he normally takes over.

[RustyRed]

I don't know. Liu Bei was one of the easiest factions I've played as on legendary. I remember going straight Huang Shao, then rushing to Cao Cao, then circling back up against Yuan Shao. I didn't have issues with Cao Cao forming a coalition with Yuan Shao since it all ended really early.

Maybe you're not going fast enough?

[Fais]

one of the best options is take the seas on the east, and escape south.

or try to find allies early game, Kong Rong, or Yuan Shao, before Cao Cao ally with them before you.

basically story wise, you are not supposed to win this conflict, but escape, is it winnable? yes and not really that hard, you just need to diplomacy a little bit better, if you failed, which can happen, migrate to other location, and sell your lands to Kong Rong for big money, until u can get up on your feet.

[Vin362]

Follow the mission prompts as they appear until you take over Langye after securing the town/city it would seem tempting to move in and annex the other parts of the commandery from Han but don’t as Kong Rong will mostly likely beat you to the punch, your next step should be to move north toward Beihai to capture it after Huang Shao takes it from Kong Rong now you can pressure Huang Shao and take Taishan as long as you keep Liu Bei’s army at full strength they should be no problem.

Assuming you have a good relationship with him Tao Qian will request aid against Cao Cao as during an event agree to assist doing so will net you Tao Qian’s territories when he dies, you can then make peace with Cao Cao and move south to toward Liu Yao taking over the lesser warlords and Han on the way in order to stop Sun Jian from moving north or if you are feeling brave from Taishan you can move west toward Luoyang and fight Dong Zhuo’s forces.

[ArcticChevy]

I just finished Liu Bei campaign, pretty fun. Huang Shao is my first target, getting trade agreement with Kong Rong helps to fund the army. Finishing up Huang Shao I expand north right after Yuan Shao declared war. Milked Yuan Shu's pocket for his legitimacy while decimating Yuan Shao and made a second army down south to keep Cao Cao in check. Liu Bei -50% percent upkeep for militias made it easy for early game struggles.

[LK]

Annex the Han early, build farm + commerce + the house that increase the % for them instant. Guan Yu is broken early vs armies, basically u just need to hover guan yu in battle he should destroy 1-2 units easily, use horse to kill archer when everyone is fighting.

You should destroy the yellow turban guy early as he only has 1-2 settlement above ur head and with Guan Yu. After that u should have several settlement supply enough army to build 1 more, then just follow story tao qain give u his ♥♥♥♥ and defend against cao cao if things go well u might destroy him or just peace after defeat him a few time. The hard part abt liu bei is when Yuan Shao attack, at this point depends on ur campagin just play it out lol