So, I have been playing this for about a week now and have to say, very rich (instead of complex) and lots going on.

I feel like there is quite a bit to learn and absorb on this game and it only gets richer and richer as the game goes on.

But I was hoping I could ask a few questions here to help me get started.

Economy:

I have read a few strategy sections on how to get the economy going. Makes sense really, but I seem to be struggling getting the hang of it.

I am trying ME2, just the normal campaign and started as the French.
I have conquered a few surround towns and occupied them.

The biggest thing I think I get stuck on is, what to build in a village? What to build in a castle? The use of Merchants.

I have tried using a couple of merchants but the AI always seems to 'overtake' my Merchants.

I seem to be doing ok on battles, but I have a question on whether a tactic I am using is 'cheap' or not.

I attacked a Spanish General.
The balance looked pretty good.
When the battle started, they were in the woods, I was in the open and had to advance on them.

The battle did not start out well for me and m spear men took some serious damage (i had 2 archers, 2 spearmen, 1 calvary and the bodyguard...early game battle).

Anyway, when I saw that my spear men were getting their butts handed to them, I hit the withdraw button on both of them to pull them back.

In the meantime, I still had my archers fire at the crossbow men.
While this was going on, I brought my cavalry up (both of them) and flank the Spanish bodyguard and the crossbow men.

When the SPanish spear men saw this, they raced to their General, which allowed me to bring my spear men back in and attack from the side.

I thought i was loosing the battle, but when i did this (using withdraw), I was able to swing the tide of the battle in my favor. I was able to kill the General (which was why I attacked the Spanish bodyguard).

This a cheap tactic? or just sneaky?

Anyway, love the game, but the economy and religion thing has me stumped a bit.

Any help is great.
Thanks,

TCG