A/i

[macnab]

Where and how do i let the A/I run the domestic side and trade etc, while i learn the basic`s ? ive looked in options and the ledger but cant see a tick/untick , i am a bit overwhelmed at min, it mentions the A/I running that side in manual but cant find it in game, really like the look of the game many thanks

[loki100]

Unfortunately you can't, (at least I believe you can't) hand over some of your country to the AI. Once you set things up a lot will happen for you (international trade, domestic production etc) but you need to initiate the process.

This is a truely deep and addictive game but it is a bit hard to get into, so four bits of advice:

a) don't ignore the short scenarios. You'll learn a lot about managing armies etc that way and its better to make mistakes there than lose an army you have just spent 5 years building up. Add to this the Boer War scenario will teach you a lot about how to fight with an enemy who doesn't want to come to conventional battle - this is very common in the game which does a great job of modelling irregular warfare;
b) when you start to play the campaign, remembers its a marathon, not a sprint. There will be periods when you can't do much, especially if
c) you'll get conflicting advice here but I'd say start with a simple country. I tried to start with Russia and just got lost. Some will say GB is good as its too strong to fail at the start but you are immediately into managing a global empire and quite a tricky war in Burma - early game regular units in poor terrain really takes some managing. So I'd say try Sardinia-Piedmont or Prussia
d) *shameless plug* ... wander over and have a look at my AAR (link in my signature), it may help you get an idea about how to get the economy up and running and how things slot together. In the index I've tried to indicate which posts really concentrate on particular mechanics and so on

[macnab]

Unfortunately you can't, (at least I believe you can't) hand over some of your country to the AI. Once you set things up a lot will happen for you (international trade, domestic production etc) but you need to initiate the process.

This is a truely deep and addictive game but it is a bit hard to get into, so four bits of advice:

a) don't ignore the short scenarios. You'll learn a lot about managing armies etc that way and its better to make mistakes there than lose an army you have just spent 5 years building up. Add to this the Boer War scenario will teach you a lot about how to fight with an enemy who doesn't want to come to conventional battle - this is very common in the game which does a great job of modelling irregular warfare;
b) when you start to play the campaign, remembers its a marathon, not a sprint. There will be periods when you can't do much, especially if
c) you'll get conflicting advice here but I'd say start with a simple country. I tried to start with Russia and just got lost. Some will say GB is good as its too strong to fail at the start but you are immediately into managing a global empire and quite a tricky war in Burma - early game regular units in poor terrain really takes some managing. So I'd say try Sardinia-Piedmont or Prussia
d) *shameless plug* ... wander over and have a look at my AAR (link in my signature), it may help you get an idea about how to get the economy up and running and how things slot together. In the index I've tried to indicate which posts really concentrate on particular mechanics and so on

Thanks for answering, i`ll look at your aar`s , and take advice smaller country

[Kensai]

I think the best country to learn this game is Belgium. The initial screens of the grand campaign indirectly suggest Great Britain or France because of their power, but these nations are a handful. Belgium is a three-region country with few things happening (especially if you start at 1850), but this is ideal to understand the game's mechanics. Just don't start a war with your big neighbors.

In 1880 it's a lot of fun cause you are the underdog trying to colonize Congo!

[macnab]

Thanks for the information, will give it a go