Early strategy suggestions

[aldin]

...and back to pretender creation for a moment. When you're having a hard time getting started, a "combat pretender" can really help turn the tide of those early battles. Try picking a pretender that costs a lot of points but has little or no magic ability - those are combat pretenders. Also, make sure you buy dominion up to at least five or so. A higher dominion will help you get information from nearby provinces without having a scout there.

~Aldin

[Adept]

If everything else fails (of just to have some spectacular fun!) try a dragon.

Now that dragons have the +5 fear effect (I'm pretty sure they didn't use to) they can take on armies even though they don't trample.

Take a dragon pretender, boost with fire, air and earth if you want. Change him into dragon form and set orders to fire.

Send him alone to conquer provinces. As soon as you can equip him with amulet of missile protection and ring of regeneration, do so. Some type of helmet is also good. The horned helmet gives the dragon a much needed extra attack.

I tried this recently, lamenting the fact that dragons don't trample, and to my great success the fear (which I hadn't noticed) made all the difference. I conquered 12, independent strength 5 provinces, and trounced up some tough Ulm armies before finally being defeated on the gates of Ulm.

Definitely something to try if you have trouble getting started.

[Graeme Dice]

Originally posted by Adept:
Take a dragon pretender, boost with fire, air and earth if you want. Change him into dragon form and set orders to fire.

Giving a dragon any magic other than their starting path is hideously expensive at 80 points to start. You can get two scales for that price.

[Caduceus]

Thanks for all the great suggestions! I will be trying them all out this weekend!

Wildcard

[Patrik]

Some more tips:

1. Independents fire/attack closest. Exploit this! This can be done in any number of ways, for example you might put one lonely guy with hold and attack orders in the middle about 25% back from the front. Put your other troops just behind on one or both flanks with attack closest orders. The independent archers will shoot (and continue shooting) at the lonely guy in the middle until he dies or roots. One guy is not very easy to hit though, so he might survive the entire battle. Against indies with crossbows this will save you tons of troops.

2. Use scouts or unoccupied commanders to attack indies. Put them way back on the battle field with retreat orders. The battle replay will give you accurate info on indie strength (and spare you from unpleasant surprises like necromancers, Minotaures etc.)

3. Plan your conquest routs. Try not having to return to your capital for reinforcements, but rather converge your 1st and 2nd armies on strong indies.

4. Use your starting spells. For example C'tis (terror), Jotun (luck) and Ermor-Broken Empire (body ethereal) have excellent starting spells that can make a huge difference.

Try those strategies (and the other posted here) and I'm sure you'll be more successfull. Good luck!

[olaf73]

Nice thread.

olaf

[Adept]

Since the dragon was such a spectacular success as a fighting pretender, It may be worth the drain in points to boost it's armour or accurasy with earth or air power.