Any tips for Aedui

Just looking for some tips, pointers, and/or experiences with Aedui campaign.

Thanks.

What I did:

Formed three armies: An Aedui force, by merging all troops in Mrogaedu, except one slinger unit which I kept as garrison in Bibracte. A Carnute one, merging all troops in Mrogaule, leaving a slinger unit as garrison in Cenabum. Finally an Insubrian one by merging all units in Insubramrog and the three units near Massilia, again leaving a slinger unit as garrison in Medilanum.

The Aedui army marched towards Vesontio, the Carnutes marched near Viennos to block the route for Arverni reinforcements, and the Insubrians went for Helvetia. After I had Vesontio and Aventicos, I defeated the Arverni in a huge battle, after which I took the remnants of my troops and took Avaricum. About five years or so had passed and I was 40,000 mnai deep, so I just waited for my budget to balance (took about 20 turns). By 262 BCE the debts were paid.


Tips:

1.) During the first turns, fight against the Arverni with even odds or better. It's not like with hellenistic factions when you can win heroic battles with hammer&anvil.

2.) Upgrade the Bibracte barracks as soon as you can, because the Arverni do that too. If you face Gaesatae without having them yourself, it's going to be tough. It takes about 5 years for Arverni to get Gaesatae, but you can hang in there for longer than that.

3.) If you're short of cash, go raid the Romans. Arretium is pretty rich especially after a few decades.

4.) Don't bother Nervians unless they're occupied by Sweboz. They're a pretty good buffer. The same goes with Bononia.

5.) You'll never get enough money, so don't worry about it. Take your time when improving infrastructure. If you get deep in debt, don't panic. If things play out right, you'll have enough time to pay for the debts later. I was in debt for 40 turns.

Those are suggestions, not rules. If you wish to rush, so be it, but if you want a challenging and realistic campaign, you should take it slow.



Edit: And don't think I remember all the settlement/province names. I used this map to check the spellings. It'll be helpful in deciphering what I actually did.

There are many bridges that you can take advantage of as Aedui. Block off the main Avereni army coming from their capital while you take out the northeast Avereni city, then combine armies and take out their largest army. Try not to leave any survivors. The other two cities should be very easy and then the Avereni will be taken care of.

The romans will be coming after you of course. Once again, bridge battle will make short work of the stacks that they send after you. Wait until they offer protectorate and accept. Usually they will be busy in the south and should keep peace with you for a while, but keep a couple of those mercenary celtic phalanxes on the bridge just in case.

Use the time of peace to build up money makers, population, and especially great markets and temples. Go after the non-aligned cities no the north and west but stay away from the east because you don't want a border with the sweboz. With all those coastal cities, money should no longer be a problem and reforms should kick in. You'll be able to build all those great armored soldiers and you'll be able to stand toe to toe against the Romans in pitched battles.

I know bridge battles are cheating, but this is just some advice. Hope it helps!

If your really strugling... Bail to Briton.. Always fun:laugh4: