The dawn of a new kingdom! I see the fire in your eyes, the hunger for conquest, the thirst for dominion. But before you carve your name into history, you must answer the most critical question of all: Who are you on the battlefield? Are you the unyielding shield? The swift raider? The calculating ruler?
Fear not, for I shall guide you on the path ahead. Choosing your tribe, role, and kingdom is the foundation upon which your dynasty shall rise… or crumble.
"The sword, the shield, or the ambush? Choose your path wisely."
The Gauls: Masters of Survival
- Fortified defenders: Gauls are the masters of defense, with the Phalanx standing strong against cavalry and infantry.
- Clever survivors: Their crannies, annoyingly effective, store twice the resources compared to other tribes, ensuring raiders walk away empty-handed and furious.
- Trapmasters: Only Gauls wield the Trapper, ensnaring attackers. Nothing humbles an overconfident Teuton like watching his raiders sit helplessly in your village. Traps are effective especially in early game or when you are getting farmed.
Best for: Beginners, defensive players, or those who enjoy frustrating their enemies into giving up. Not to forget their thundering speed for raiding parties.
The Romans: Builders of Empires
- The balanced force: With strong walls, disciplined troops, strong hero, and an extra construction slot, the Romans excel in efficiency.
- Elite troops: Roman infantry is unmatched, but also expensive. What they gain in power, they lose in numbers.
- Slow but steady: Their cavalry is strong, but they'll drain your resources like an unsupervised festival feast. Thank the Roman gods for Horse Drinking Trough.
Best for: Advanced players who enjoy methodical planning, infrastructure management, and being slightly broke in the beginning. But once you get their economy rolling, Romans will offer a strong and balanced empire.
The Teutons: The Fearless Raiders
- Aggressive warmongers: The Clubswingers are cheap, numerous, and devastating like a plague, but with worse hygiene.
- Relentless raiders: Unlike other tribes, Teuton hero has a 20% cranny dip, meaning they take resources even from the so-called "safe" stockpiles.
- Hordes without fear: Teuton defenses are, well… unimpressive, but who needs defense when your enemy is too weak to fight back? Just build a Brewery and go berzerk.
Best for: Aggressive raiders and experienced warlords with no interest in a peaceful existence, and for anyone who enjoys watching enemies weep over stolen resources. Raiding is a form of resource management.
Defining Your Role
"A spear thrown with purpose is deadlier than a dozen of axes swung in panic."
The Defender
- Your mission: Protect the kingdom.
- You train large numbers of Phalanx (Gaul), Legionnaires and Praetorians (Roman), or Spearfighters (Teuton) to fortify key locations.
- Your villages are bunkers, fortified, reinforced, and impossible to crack.
- Your name is spoken with reverence by allies and despair by enemies.
The Raider
- Your mission: Take everything that isn't nailed down. Then take the nails.
- You build fast units with strong backs and terrorize every unprotected village within reach.
- Your economy? Stolen. Your soldiers? Relentless. Your enemies? Bankrupt.
The Ruler
- Your mission: Expand, organize, and rule with wisdom (or intimidation).
- You coordinate resources, troops, and diplomatic relations.
- Rise to become a Duke, Vice-king or King, managing the fate of an entire kingdom.
The Kingdom Where You Live and Who You Serve
"A lone warrior is a dead warrior. An isolated village is just free real estate."
Governors: Newcomers start as governors, building their economy, contributing to kingdom defenses, and working with allies on raiding missions.
Royaltys: Leadership roles are not for the faint of heart. They demand time, strategy, and the patience to manage a hundred squabbling warlords.
Finding a Good Kingdom
- Active leaders: If your King is missing more often than elephant sightings, leave.
- Defensive coordination: A good kingdom protects its own. Ask: "How do you defend against raids?" If they say, "Just build more troops," they are not a good kingdom for beginners.
- Mission strategy: Coordinated missions win wars. If the only strategy is "hit them until they stop moving," you might as well play solo. But this is not a solo game.
Choosing Your Gameworld
"Speed is a double-edged sword. It cuts deep, but reckless wielding will cost you your fingers."
- x1 Speed. The standard world, where patience and planning reign supreme. Ideal for building lasting strategies.
- x2 to x5 Speed. A high-action experience where mistakes are fast and brutal. If you want to experiment and learn quickly, this could be your proving ground.
- Regional Worlds. Less populated and safer for practicing without being farmed by a bloodthirsty Teutons.
- Special Worlds: Birthday Bash & Halloween Hunt are great pick for new players, offering fresh twists on traditional mechanics. Mayhem & Dynasty? Not for beginners.
Many warriors will step onto the battlefield, but few will leave their mark. Choosing your tribe, role, and kingdom wisely is the difference between a ruler and a ruin.
If you seek safety and stability, Gauls and a strong kingdom will keep you standing. If you crave the rush of battle, Teutons and a raiding army will fill your coffers. If you wish to build an empire that stands the test of time, Romans and careful planning shall be your path.
"A wise ruler does not choose blindly. He chooses with knowledge, with strategy ...and with just enough paranoia to survive."
Tacticus out.