Completely new...best way to learn game?

[Aurelian]

Hi all,

What is the best way to learn this game from scratch for someone new to it and Paradox games in general? Where do I start?

I see there are new Paradox guides released with 2.0, but I wondered if it's faster to watch certain Youtube videos, try to learn inside the game itself, read a community guide etc?.

I've never played Paradox games before (but I love RTS and strategy games in general). I purchased this early on but was either busy or scared to try it given all the reported issues. Now with 2.0 I'm ready to start.

Thanks!

[spike86]

hmmm I would say first start with the paradox tutorial videos, the most recent ones.
they'll give you a surface idea about the game.

start a new game in crete, pick the monarchy (or if you want to learn an additional level, go for the republic) and start the (paused) game.
take confidence with the interface
click the buttons to see what they open and let the tooltips (and nested tooltips too!) guide you towards all the various functions and what does what.
then look for any banner in the upper portion of the screen to see if the state need some immediate attention.

finally play that game trying to conquer the whole isle, knowing no one will (usually) come from outside to bother you while you learn.
let the game run and play it until you (almost inevitably) will lose.

then go to the wiki to get some infos about the functions you didn't understand.
or ask here or on the paradox forums (most skilled players don't get in steam forums often, they rather hang in the pdx ones)

PS you can TRY to use the in game tutorial, but beware that it's not very good (to play)
for me the best use of it is looking at the missions, and read them thoroughly. there's a lot of useful infos, but the tutorial itself is just missions in random order without too much practical help.

[Aurelian]

Originally posted by spike86:

hmmm I would say first start with the paradox tutorial videos, the most recent ones.
they'll give you a surface idea about the game.

start a new game in crete, pick the monarchy (or if you want to learn an additional level, go for the republic) and start the (paused) game.
take confidence with the interface
click the buttons to see what they open and let the tooltips (and nested tooltips too!) guide you towards all the various functions and what does what.
then look for any banner in the upper portion of the screen to see if the state need some immediate attention.

finally play that game trying to conquer the whole isle, knowing no one will (usually) come from outside to bother you while you learn.
let the game run and play it until you (almost inevitably) will lose.

then go to the wiki to get some infos about the functions you didn't understand.
or ask here or on the paradox forums (most skilled players don't get in steam forums often, they rather hang in the pdx ones)

PS you can TRY to use the in game tutorial, but beware that it's not very good (to play)
for me the best use of it is looking at the missions, and read them thoroughly. there's a lot of useful infos, but the tutorial itself is just missions in random order without too much practical help.

Thank you so so much, really appreciate it!

[VoiD]

I'd just go with a let's play series on youtube, get a recent one because everything changed.

[spike86]

Originally posted by VoiD:

I'd just go with a let's play series on youtube, get a recent one because everything changed.

I'm struggling on finding a decent (i.e. fun!) youtuber that ALSO know what he's doing...

[CyPunk]

Originally posted by spike86:

Originally posted by VoiD:

I'd just go with a let's play series on youtube, get a recent one because everything changed.

I'm struggling on finding a decent (i.e. fun!) youtuber that ALSO know what he's doing...

Aww, would have recommended myself but knowing what I am doing is a high bar to meet... as the learning curve on this game increases I feel I need my EUIV like 1000 hour tutorial before I even get the basics!

(more seriously I think all the content creators need some time figure out how best to play-present this game in an engaging manner).

[EpirusWarriorμολὼνλαβέ]

Originally posted by spike86:

Originally posted by VoiD:

I'd just go with a let's play series on youtube, get a recent one because everything changed.

I'm struggling on finding a decent (i.e. fun!) youtuber that ALSO know what he's doing...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBncK5YmgpI




Pratorian Hyjinx which goes into historical aspect with most of his game also, Strategy Gaming Dojo, Quill18 just to name few as there also there are plenty that are in paradox forums also that do actual guides with no lack of info and gamestyle.

*The series is in the build, but has plenty of videos, author is going for nation build gameplay.

[spike86]

Originally posted by CyPunk:

(more seriously I think all the content creators need some time figure out how best to play-present this game in an engaging manner).

I do understand that, but then they don't read the tooltips that are on the screen, do something extremely dumb and then I start to scream at the monitor XD

[spike86]

Originally posted by αετός ΣΣ Epirus Warrior:

Originally posted by spike86:

I'm struggling on finding a decent (i.e. fun!) youtuber that ALSO know what he's doing...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBncK5YmgpI



Pratorian Hyjinx which goes into historical aspect with most of his game also, Strategy Gaming Dojo, Quill18 just to name few as there also there are plenty that are in paradox forums also that do actual guides with no lack of info and gamestyle.

I've not said there aren't competent players that stream. but if I'm choosing between watching a stream and playing the game myself, the fun factor must be high.

of the ones you named that I know, only quill18 actually meet that requirement and basic skill together (for me) and he just started a new let's play. unfortunately he doesn't seems to know many things too (but at least he can read the damn tooltips right! XD )

the problem with this game is that often require extensive periods of paused game in order to pick the right choices and read everything. and I do understand that ytubers can't suspend a stream to do it every 10 minutes

[EpirusWarriorμολὼνλαβέ]

Originally posted by spike86:

Originally posted by αετός ΣΣ Epirus Warrior:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBncK5YmgpI



Pratorian Hyjinx which goes into historical aspect with most of his game also, Strategy Gaming Dojo, Quill18 just to name few as there also there are plenty that are in paradox forums also that do actual guides with no lack of info and gamestyle.

I've not said there aren't competent players that stream. but if I'm choosing between watching a stream and playing the game myself, the fun factor must be high.

of the ones you named that I know, only quill18 actually meet that requirement and basic skill together (for me) and he just started a new let's play. unfortunately he doesn't seems to know many things too (but at least he can read the damn tooltips right! XD )

the problem with this game is that often require extensive periods of paused game in order to pick the right choices and read everything. and I do understand that ytubers can't suspend a stream to do it every 10 minutes

Both Quill and Pratorian played most of the paradox titles and they have done some research.I don't think they just read the tips as they done testing before. What they do is they keep importing some strategies from other paradox titles, yet not to say they don't have developed any strategy for this game on their sleeve. They do error and trial approach or test drive before publishing the videos. Praetorian has made a lets play series in 1.0 and he knows couple of things. What I like about his approach because he introduces historical facts, being a historic
buff myself I may have the bias on history based videos, but he knows what he is doing on term of strategy and has done play testing before hand, as mentioned also he has played before in 1.0 and currently follows paradox forums.
The best way for beginners is to follow those youtube series and also another helpfull method is to go into twich and ask people who play live any questions they may have in regard to mechanics, second is take a look on paradox forums new guides and ask about mechanics. Basically in regard to the reading, is mostly for the spectator on youtube or bit of Role Playing, strategy gamers usually focus on numbers, formulas and methodologies and usually skip the wall text unless you want to get a fully immersive experience. I:R is a niche that is based mostly on Europa Universalis Rome with some other elements form other titles.
Myself though I usually go for a full experience strategy and RP and my session plays are quiet long, youtube lets play on other hand need to be upload it on youtube so they have to follow also the time restriction on top of following a strategy.

[Jack Greedy]

Start by in game tutorial for sure , then read some guides from time to time and learn by mistakes in game.

[EpirusWarriorμολὼνλαβέ]

I would advice also following live session on twich, [especially multiplayer since you need a strategy there and cannot go unprepared or learn from their mistake at very last but usually they know before hand different approaches and strategies take] so ask them live questions if you just started:

https://www.twitch.tv/directory/game/Imperator%3A%20Rome

And don't worry no one will get bugged they want followers afterall.
*I would do a live session in twich and answer questions live but don't have a dedicated GPU /card to capture game play nor a camera to talk.
**When I upgrade my PC I will, definitely though when I have time on Sat/Sun and sorted the rest.

[CyPunk]

Originally posted by spike86:

Originally posted by CyPunk:

(more seriously I think all the content creators need some time figure out how best to play-present this game in an engaging manner).

I do understand that, but then they don't read the tooltips that are on the screen, do something extremely dumb and then I start to scream at the monitor XD

:-) Only person I do not mind yelling at the screen is Shenryyr... totally agree quill18 is always fun but yes, still learning. Pratorian Hyjinx I recently discovered and makes for nice dinner viewing.
I am not nearly as entertaining as these professionals, and dislike self-promotion on forums, but I am calm and occasionally thoughtful so maybe my style benefits someone:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxQXEB3xbqEMeCHvy17m7Rg_G4FIfI80x

[EpirusWarriorμολὼνλαβέ]

I also advice for historical aspects whenever some one has/have some extra time before going into game, to also take this channel in consideration :


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRDQpazjI9U

This is one reasion I also play Field of Glory Empires because it has the ability to export
the battle on Field of Glory II where you can actually employ war strategies and have to take in account from composition to pre-calculated moves you can make, to countering measures, to actual terrain buffs and penalties, to weather[mod] ,to many other aspects and elements not just the basics giving fully control
of battle and micromanaging.

[EpirusWarriorμολὼνλαβέ]

This is official twich game session from Paradox where they explain different game mechanics updates also some of I:R 2.0 starts at [1:40] and ends around[ 3:00] that would be beneficial to beginners:

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/908401608/

[FrosT]

I watched like the first 2 vids of the paradox tutorial and 1 youtuber's tutorial about the economy and just self thought (i have played some pdx games before so i probably adapted faster). Tho im stupid and watched the tutorial a few years after my playthrough but i got hundred years or so til endgame and i manage to unite italy under rome, got greece and the capital state of carthage which arent rly much since i fked up a lot of times and wouls probably get more territories if i did things more

Also *Based on my experience*
Watch a video or two about how the economy works and just work your way through the game. You can also play a few years into a game then play a new one so youll get the hang of it (thats pretty much what I did regarding EU4)