Trying those Blue guys, from the wet & windy NW, on H/H (VH hacks me off as it distorts the naval battles & unit attack strengths bit too much).

With the PBM, you start with no piece of the mainland, but that does have diplomatic advantage of no border with Germania.

Short Campaign, 15 provinces plus outlast or destroy Gaul. Took the Rebel town Ebucara without many casualties, though I probably messed up as it was 10 Light chariots to Enemy General which I can't replace at moment, rather than warbands. Clipping problems in edge of town trying to provoke enemy general out with arrows and slingers, to skewer with spearmen.

Got trade rights with Gauls & Germania, but Gauls are the real economic partners. Then gone for economic development. Pirate navy with 3 ships, deterred any boat building. Seems to me, when coast is clear, should try and take Tara (Hibernia), before building up an expeditionary force.

Seems to me, I need to make friends with Jullii, Senate & Germania, then patiently build until Gaul has been drawn into serious fight with the Julii. Then hit them in rear, in NW when they're stretched to get toehold on continent, then try and drive East without getting on wrong side of Julii, who hopefully will route South for richer lands like Spain.

Anyone share experience with this setup? It's seems like a slow burner with the play balance mods. Rather different from the very expansionist land grab race style campaign, as a Roman faction trying to be "first among equals".

A human Jullii player, probably likes peaceful border in north, to have freedom to concentrate in south, but may be the AI will be less astute?