Which government to build?

Howdy all,

I know this has been discussed in greater detail in many other threads, but I still can't seem to figure out the answer to the most basic question:

When I acquire a new province (am playing as Romani and have taken southern Italy, Sicily, Corsica, Sardinia, and now have a foothold in northern Africa), I always immediately begin constructing the most elaborate government available to me...so it's Type I in places like Bononia and Type II in Kart-Hadast. I originally thought this was he obvious way to build one's empire, but I am beginning to realize with greater clarity that this is not the best way to expand...seems like many of you install lower-level governments in order to achieve different ends.

Can you point me to the best summary description of the *strategy* of government construction? For example, when (or perhaps where) do I install a Type II, and when do I install a Type IV when I have an option? I'd really like to figure this out once and for all in my head...any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

It depends on the faction. Hellenic factions > highest govt usually the best (some rarer exceptions). Romans: if you go away from your starting provinces you should build type IV first, and after the next reform replace those by type II or I if possible. If you cross the Alps so to speak, you will have to wait for the Marian reforms to replace them with II.

Most factions: the closer to I the better, because it means more civic structures (which is what you'll need in the long run) and the type IV will hardly ever offer substantially more local auxillia's. This, of course changes when you get to the regions famed for their local warriors (Thrace most notably).

Well, there are several approaches to determine the gov level to be build:

- troop rooster: more or better or unique troops by native or regional MICs ?
- economic: gov3 is fast to build (3 turns) and gives you as a rule a better cash-outflow of that province (read the description for type 3 government buildings)
- role-play: first gov3, then gov2 then gov1 (the later only for homelands). Some provinces (e.g. Syrakuse, Massilia, Athen, and, IRCC, Sparte) are nice spots for gov4.

Yours, T.

Depends if you're in a hurry to move on or not. If i'm not in a hurry to move on i just build the best i can and leave my army there as 'peacekeepers' for the time being. If i'm in a hurry i build type 4, put taxes to low and move on as that's usually enough to keep the population happy just enough so they don't rebel.

Also with type 4 you'll be able to recruit lots of troops native to that area, whereas if you build type 3 you'll only be able to recruit the crappier native one and none of your own, unless you're in the Marian reforms at which point i think you can recruit legionaires from pretty much everywhere.

Since you are playing the Romans, a Gov II in most lands is the best choice. You have most (all?) of your buildings available and can recruit local troops up to MIC III (that is most of the infantry). There are only some places where you need Gov III for MIC IV and even fewer that need a MIC V and Gov IV. For further details click on the image in my sig.

I would be carefully with installing Gov IV. The client ruler is a great help in the first turns because you don't need to leave a family member behind. But in the long run you'll have to stick with him for the next 30 years and can't replace him if he turns out to be the wrong man for the job. Another thing is that you have to pay for his bodyguard, it's not for free like the BG of your family members. So placing client rulers when allready broken isn't wise at all.

It really depends on the region but right now as Romans I have Type I and II governments in Italy, Sicily, Corsica and Sardinia, and the Iberian provinces, and I have Type IV client kingdoms in Illyria and Dalmatia. After the kings of those client kingdoms die out I will fully integrate the provinciae with a Type II. I really only use Type IV to roleplay and follow some sort of historical pattern (when I get to Judea and Asia Minor I will establish some kingdoms), and I have found no real use for Type III at all.

Thanks to everybody for their help.

Special props go to Konny...sorry for the premature post here -- I had already checked out your "Europa Romanorum" post but had somehow neglected to really absorb your recommended government graphics...this is exactly what I was looking for! I've read it though a second time and have just finished printing out the Camillan/Polybian map...I'm ready to conquer...thanks again!