Easy starting point for a Normal Campaign

[jaspritsingh]

I tried playing Carthage but ancient world did not like me much. Almost every one is at war with Carthage. Too much of a challenge in a game I barely understand. Is there any faction with an easier starting point AND a gradual increase in challenge ?

[Sp4]

Start Rome on Hard or Averni on Normal.

[Kamakazi]

starting position and toughness is stated on the main screen when you go for a new campaign

[Myth]

Start Rome on Hard or Averni on Normal.

The Averni are too tough a start if you don't abuse the Confederacy mechanics. Go for Rome or the Iceni IMO.

[Slaists]

On normal: Rome (roman, manipular troops) or Macedon (pikes, hoplites, cavalry, and the all-killing slingers) should be a cake-walk.

Carthage is probably one of the hardest starts; Epirus as well

[Sp4]

The fact that everyone hates Epirus at the start makes it 'easy' to get wardecced by everyone. In my attempt I've had a bunch of people do that in the first 5 turns but the only one of those 5 I actually ever fought was Sparta. The others never came to do anything =(

[Slaists]

The fact that everyone hates Epirus at the start makes it 'easy' to get wardecced by everyone. In my attempt I've had a bunch of people do that in the first 5 turns but the only one of those 5 I actually ever fought was Sparta. The others never came to do anything =(

"The others" do come, given time ;) unless they get wiped out themselves by other AI's. In my Epirus game, Syracuse, Rome, Venetti, Athens all declared on me within the first 5 turns. The only one I did not have to fight was Syracuse since the poor sobs had decided it to be a good idea to declare war on Carthage at the same time they declared war on Epirus.

However as soon as I grabbed all of Hellas + most of Italy, war declarations stopped (they stopped earlier than that even).

[Bramborough]

I tried playing Carthage but ancient world did not like me much. Almost every one is at war with Carthage. Too much of a challenge in a game I barely understand. Is there any faction with an easier starting point AND a gradual increase in challenge ?

If you really are new enough to the game as to still be figuring stuff out, then go ahead and play Rome, at least for a while (not saying you gotta play a whole campaign) until you get the hang of it. Rome's primary starting advantages are: a) 4 settlements, two of which are provincial capitals, b) partial ownership and/or relatively rapid access to some of the richest provinces in the game (Italia, Magna Grecia, Africa), and c) very powerful troops relative to neighbors.

If, on the other hand, you're asking for "a little bit harder than Rome, but not as crazy-hard as Carthage", then I can say give Pontus a try. Small start (2 minors), a couple of angry neighbors, and lousy troops can make the first few turns interesting. BUT...Pontus also has some diplomatic advantages, and should never have to worry about income because of trade from all the friendly Greeks. Plus, the Level I muster field provides the Hoplite...which will be your bread-and-butter infantry core throughout the game.

Bottom line, the campaign start menu gives an idea, with an "Initial Challenge" rating which is completely separate from Difficulty level. Rome and Egypt are "Easy", while Carthage and a couple others are "Hard". Most, including Pontus, are "Normal".

If you're truly brand new to R2, pick an easy. Otherwise, go normal.