Im new:D Please read and answer me please! :D

[Zues!]

I just started playing this game...well I been playing it but I put it away because I didnt think i was able to make the right choices in game due to my young age (excuse) but now I picked it back up a couple days ago and im doing quite well, better than I used to do. Im playing as the Romans doing what they do best, you know marching their armies every taking anything they want. I have a question though...When does the game become more nation based? Because I know many factions are running around fighting with merc. units and the same units, but when do we actually get OUR own units? Like the Roman Legions for example

[Apgad]

Check out this explanation of MICs: https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=73928

As you can see, better quality troops generally require higher level MICs, and these take time to build. And better quality troops cost more to raise and upkeep, so generally speaking you'll need a more developed economy to support them.

You might find the first 30 or 40 years consists of all factions running around trying to capture as many rebel settlements as possible, before slugging it out with each other. Do that too.

Many factions have reforms that take some time to achieve (see https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=84854). By "roman legions" I'll presume you mean Marian legions. To get these you'll need to go through 2 sets of reforms, each with its own specific conditions.

Other factions will also take some time to get their reformed troops, so it can be a while before you see all of the elites that you might be expecting.

And don't forget to activate the background script!

[Zues!]

Reforms? Can you explain that to me please?

[marodeur]

Reforms? Can you explain that to me please?

By achieving specific goals you will get other units available. That's called a reform, cause historically Rome changed it's unit composition quite a few times in it's history, every time an other great leader being responsible (for example the augusteian military reforms by Augustus). You will have to look up which goals are necessary to get a specific reform.

[Zues!]

BTW the link on MICs you posted above made no sense...I dont even knowa what a MIC is, yet along a local native and stuff

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

The reforms are explained in the FAQ. See the stickied threads in this forum.

MIC = barracks.

[Olaf Blackeyes]

And if dat thread aint clear enough for ya here the tl;dr version.
Two kinds o'barracks: cheap ones for local units (Gallic levies in Gaul, Egyptians levies in Egypt) and the factional (and MUCH more expensive) ones are for your factions "iconic" units (Legionaries for Rome, uber heavy Phalanx for Greeks)

REFORMS tl;dr version
some factions need to have reforms occur before they can get their bestest troop types (Imperial Legionaries for Rome, Kata-tanks for nomads, and other types of units)
ALSO a few faction need to get reforms for improved factional play. Pahlava and Haydisan are the two BIGGEST ones in need of said reforms. For more info on reform plz refer to threat about them.

[Zues!]

Two more questions

1. What difficulty settings should I play on because on medium battle settings the battles are kinda too easy and on the campaign every body wants to attack me for some reason.

2. How do I keep alive? Im fighting the people east of italy, and the people north of italy! I didnt pick a fight with the fellos north of it I forget their name but it started with a "A" and the people to the west their name starts with a "E" i picked that fight but then Makedonia join and helped them!

I let Makedonia punk me out of my honor and pride just to save my ass..im their Protectorate! is that bad btw??

[chenkai11]

1. FAQ recommend VH/M, I personally recommend H/M.

2. I think the A people and E people are hostile with your faction from the start even you didn't pick the fight. To stay alive? Fight them and kill them all!! This is total war.

If you are someone's protectorate, you have to pay tribute.