Start with rags. Especially after the last update, there is so much cool content at the soldier level that you will be missing if you begin as a commander or an emperor. Definitely don't start as emperor. Managing an empire is not the same as being a lord and, IMO, it's better to get used to the mod first before you become a ruler. Plus, again, you'd be missing all the cool content at the commander level and the civil war.

Don't worry about money too much. Unlike in many mods, you don't need to scrimp and save all the time. When the time comes, there will be quests with generous rewards that get you started nicely. Until then, just enjoy the experience and don't stress too much about the mechanics of the game.

The only thing I'd definitely do is invest in strength 13 or more, so that you can wear the better armor. Riding 3-4 also helps.

Thrown weapons are useless not optimal. Their accuracy is crap and you can carry too few of them. Don't specialize in them. Everything else is viable: archer, infantryman, lance cavalry, horse archer. Stock ballista are crap and not intended for players. Later on, you can buy a special ballista that makes things fun.

Enjoy!

thank you

Also take a look at game concepts, I tried to explain a lot of the stuff their. (although it is still missing some things)

Ok will have to have a read of the game concepts too, thank you

Ok started my game, and chose to be blessed by Mars with his godly strength, have started doing things around Rome and Italy and got 2 companions and a little group of men

Having a little trouble finding this shop in Rome however https://prnt.sc/t8hkr6
i've looked around quite a bit and even met 3 different merchants in Rome day and night, but none of them had anything to do with this quest. Any idea where the shop is? I went to all the building to try interact with them, but none seem to be a shop. Maybe I missed something?

Originally posted by Multifaced:

Ok will have to have a read of the game concepts too, thank you

Ok started my game, and chose to be blessed by Mars with his godly strength, have started doing things around Rome and Italy and got 2 companions and a little group of men

Having a little trouble finding this shop in Rome however https://prnt.sc/t8hkr6
i've looked around quite a bit and even met 3 different merchants in Rome day and night, but none of them had anything to do with this quest. Any idea where the shop is? I went to all the building to try interact with them, but none seem to be a shop. Maybe I missed something?

On the town center scene in Rome, just watch out for the merchant sign. But there is a short cut: go to the town trade menu, and then press shift while pressing "trade with the goods merchant". Then the conversation will automatically start. There are several shortcuts using shift, for example, if you visit a temple for the second time you can spawn right before the priest if you press shift.

that is great, thank you

and that celebration at the end of that mission was amazing