Corruption and Debt

[bedlam28]

Hi Everyone,



After losing all my progress when I was Virus'd to death, my new campaign is as the Scipii, and so far I feel I'm doing well, I've taken all of Africa and am on the border to Egypt = front 1
Have taken Rhodes and Hali from Pontus and working up north to surround Brutai Expansion = front 2
Have taken all of Spain and now taking on Britannia to surround the Julii = Front 3.
My armies are costing quite a bit, but my biggest problem is the 3 cities of Lilybaum, messana and syracuse, Oh; and also Carthage.

I have built over most foriegn buildings to avoid the penalty, but am getting riots in all four constantly. Biggest problem is sanitation even though I have all but the last of that line, I've wiped out the city once already in Carthage and Lilybaum but it seems to just shoot right back up!! its driving me nuts as each city is showing a 2000 deficit per go, I dont have any farms and have tried to follow Froggys advice on what to build.

Also I have 10000 per turn loss to corruption, but I dont have any family in any city as they are all out on the front line, none show the corruption traits, yet I'm getting scammed to death. How can I plug this flood of cash out of my coffers????

These 2 issues are really getting to me, as I seem to be constanly brassic, but at this stage I should be rolling in dough.
I read about you guys having millions sitting around in your banks, and I'm like some 3 turn Gaul. Its got to a stage that I'm causing riots just to re-take my own cities to make money !!!

Any advice would be appreciated !!

( oh, and how do I get Heavy Cav. thats not part of my family's bodyguards? the Brits Im fighting & the Egyptians seem to have tons of Heavy's and Im stuck with Equites)

Really I have no idea how I've progressed so far. Blind luck I'm sure !!!

[Severous]

Hi

It sounds as though the cities that are causing you problems are in the centre of your Scipii empire.

-Check where your capital is. Make it central.

-Law buildings. Including law temples (if Scipii has any). Not only do they help order but they reduce corruption...which in some cases is more than the value of trade earned through the trade line of temples.

-I run all my cities always on as high a tax as possible. Cuts back population growth as well as provide cash. If your towns have been used to low taxes its not easy to get back to a high tax regime.

-Family members do not cause corruption. It exists everywhere except close to the capital. Family members can increase or reduce corruption depending upon their traits.

-Your three big cities on Sicilly will land trade with each other. Not very profitable. Nothing you can do about that. Make sure they have enough sea trading partners. Close partners are far more remunerative than distant ones.

Are your armies all necessary? Can lower quality troops be used for garrisons?

YOu must be close to winning.

Any screen shots?

[bedlam28]

Major thanks Severous,

I'm going to sit down and go over what you advise with my game on, and will try your suggestions.

I have previously asked about screenshots but cant find the post now.
I play on a laptop and believe I have to use a mod to be able to take shots.

Do you happen to know which mod and where I can get it?

[Glaucus]

google 'Fraps' and download it. It allows you take videos and pictures while gaming.

[bedlam28]

Cheers Glaucus,

I've downloaded, and will give it a go tonight if I can convince my woman that taking over the world is more important than going to Tesco

Shopping at the weekend. Lovely.

Ahh well, I'll put up the Screenshots soon. thanks guys.