The best tidbits any TW player can take to heart, and these apply to all TW games, is strike hard and go for the kill. Don't play to "not lose", play to win. If you see a solid chance to knock out a major enemy army, even if you risk one of yours in the process, take it. Who dares, wins.

You can't demand tribute payments from factions you've destroyed.

Take your defeats graciously, from the agony of a loss could spring anew the determination needed for a victorious campaign. Not all battles must end in victory for the war to be won.

Sometimes the best defense is a good offense. It's not always a good idea to surrender the initiative to your foes, there are situations where you'll need to decide if you want the enemy to shoot you to pieces with their superior artillery or move into the attack!

In a Total War game, peace is a technicality.