Any good guides on how to get into this game?

[FilthyCasual49]

Hey everyone,

I just recently acquired IR when it was on sale, the Marius update and price tag seemed enticing at the time. I've tried the game tutorial with Rome, as well as watching some videos of DanIsStoned with Crete, yet still having a tough time understanding the dynamics of this game.

For more context, I initially started with CK3, having around 200 hours on that game. I've also played a little bit of Stellaris, though no more than maybe 5 hours. Only have around 5 hours in IR right now, my typical start is Knossos since another guide recommended that a small monarchy is simpler to keep stable. That said, my usual game play seems to be staring at my screen as the days go by watching my currency slowly climb until I can afford to build something, then repeat. I'm sure that I'm probably playing the game wrong since I've watched other people engage in more fun antics, meanwhile I'm too poor to do anything lol.

Does anyone know of some helpful guides that can help this lost casual git gud?

 

[manager2525]

Hello and welcome to IR!

I agree that a monarchy is probably a better starting tag than a republic. It might also feel better after playing CK.
You can check the other thread that is currently up about what tag you could play as.
Ptolemies is a popular tag as a first nation. If it feels to big for you or you do not want to be embroiled into the Diadochi wars early on you can play as the Bosphorian Kingdom or one of the Axumite tags (please see the other post for more info).
I think that one proud Bavarian has made an interesting series in order to give you some basic hints and it is up to date.
Then maybe you can see some lets play by Lord Lambert.
Other than I would like to suggest not to shy from early wars to get your game rolling. Try to form as many alliances as you need in day one even getting above our relations limit if need be. You can then call a war counsel and declare a month into the game with all your allies to a probably unprepared and with few alliances AI tag.
Hope you have fun!

 

[FilthyCasual49]

Hello and welcome to IR!

I agree that a monarchy is probably a better starting tag than a republic. It might also feel better after playing CK.
You can check the other thread that is currently up about what tag you could play as.
Ptolemies is a popular tag as a first nation. If it feels to big for you or you do not want to be embroiled into the Diadochi wars early on you can play as the Bosphorian Kingdom or one of the Axumite tags (please see the other post for more info).
I think that one proud Bavarian has made an interesting series in order to give you some basic hints and it is up to date.
Then maybe you can see some lets play by Lord Lambert.
Other than I would like to suggest not to shy from early wars to get your game rolling. Try to form as many alliances as you need in day one even getting above our relations limit if need be. You can then call a war counsel and declare a month into the game with all your allies to a probably unprepared and with few alliances AI tag.
Hope you have fun!

Thanks for your reply!

I might try Bosphorian Kingdom since you threw it out as a suggestion.

I assume alliances is how you circumvent the lack of funds for military in the early game?

I guess my confusion with the game is playing it in the beginning when having low resources, it seems more intimidating than CK3 where you can still do quite a lot despite not having much gold or prestige.

 

[olivenkranz]

Also, "permanently" hiring a cheap merc with high (>= 13 imo) martial skill can be worth it. Cheap means, the monthly cost is lower than your monthly income (or you have a big enough bank)

 

[manager2525]

Thanks for your reply!

I might try Bosphorian Kingdom since you threw it out as a suggestion.

I assume alliances is how you circumvent the lack of funds for military in the early game?

I guess my confusion with the game is playing it in the beginning when having low resources, it seems more intimidating than CK3 where you can still do quite a lot despite not having much gold or prestige.

No problem.

Yes alliances will really help you going. This is the case especially when you find yourself against a large defensive league. Don't be afraid to go above your diplo limit. Also in order to get some early extra gold always choose to imprison the nobility of the tags you conquer early on and sell them to slavery. Plus if your king is leading the sieges meaning has the higher martial amongst all generals leading troops there you will have the opportunity to loot the city once taken. Just make sure you do not destroy it at the process!

 

[IsaacCAT]

I assume alliances is how you circumvent the lack of funds for military in the early game?

Manager2525 has already give you some clues to get funds in the early game. Another way to increase your economy is to change your economy policy to favour exports and move slaves to territories to have a surplus of goods. It is also a good idea to stop them promoting. Finally, upgrading territories to cities will also give you +1 trade good.

Although, the fastest way to have more funds is to conquer your neighbourg. Try to complete provinces, as trade goods surplus, that can be traded away, are accounted based on provinces.

For the military, go to the culture tab and sort your cultures by number of POPs. It is in your best interest to integrate up to citizen the most popolous cultures, as they will contribute to your levies if integrated. You will also would want to expand to territories where POPs from your integrated cultures are. Use the culture map to find them.

This is only to get you started, enjoy your game!