Economy strat -

Early on try to focus your peasants into 1 or 2 crops max depending on what resources are at hand to be able to have better division of labor. Land is a precious resource so take heed!

1 peasant can herd about 300 horse, 500 cows and 550 sheep per plot which is about 1/3 the max they can hold. But, there is no use leaving 1 whole plot of farmland to be used 1/3 capicity. Try to maximize land use by herd animals from the half used plots of land to fill up others so you can free up land for more wheat. When you conquer new lands try to keep most land available for wheat until you save up enough of it to start growing cows and then sheep. In the winter you will see how much wheat you have left over for the 3 seasons until the fall harvest is reaped so base your food supply accordingly.

When your about to reach the marked limit of animals per person (see above), add 1 more peasant to see your herd to reach that next level of growth. More cows and sheep equal more milk and cheese which replaces wheat and eventually leads to more happiness due to more different foods available to eat. (and you wonder why a gallon of milk is more expensive then a gallon of petrol in the USA =P )

I only let the peasants eat meat in fall and winter to keep them from dying less (rarely do I ever let peasants eat double but if you do this is the time it helps them most).


Anyways, these early tips can help you get a leg up your opponents in the game. I'll add more info if need be!

~ps. Peasants can be moved between your counties with spare generals to keep the homeless from effecting happines.
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Murchants~~
As for the merchant, be sure to buy from them from time to time when they pop up in your different counties because transporting goods costs almost as much as buying them newly made (unless your moving ALOT of goods) . So feel free to top off from time to time when they pop up as you can supplies in your counties that are low or when your planning on converting a wheat field into an animal ranch to diversify your food stocks. I have noticed you end up with a surplus of wool alot so if your not busy making weapons be sure to sell the wool to the merchant or even better have the blacksmith turn them into linen armor to sell for even more profits!
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Combat Strat-
As for combat, all I can say is be patient vs the ai. Castles and walls will go a long way from keeping an agressive ai with 3000 peasant slave army from overrunning your county (unless you got your own slave army to counter!).

Mercenary pikemen are good to hire in a pinch but will cost you alot to maintain in your retinue so only buy them if you plan on 'spending' them quickly enough. (I pray more mercenary types are added in the future!)

Your General leading your army should reflect his combat cards according to what kind of troops he has. Ranged army should try to get more ranged cards while cav armies should try to get more cav cards etc...

Terrain helps much and as far as I know woods protect from ranged and cav, hills help in melee, and walls protect from melee entirely unless the enemy general has siege ladders or ram cards in their card deck. Wooden walls will break after a few attacks but they are better then nothing.

---- Agents--------------
I've not really have anything special to say about agents besides their main job the only other thing can do for you is spy on hidden counties for you to give you nice info of the other lords counties. Fyi, The Sheriff boosts tax revenue , The Bishop increases happiness, and the Hunter can kill wild animals invading your farmland and the Bard. All require lvl 2 Town Hall or Church except the Hunter who just shows up at random. I'm not sure about the bard!
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*Multiplayer is whole new wonderful beast I've yet to try but will soon enough!

Happy Conquering and let me know if there anything to add for the new Lords and Ladies out there starting out on their brand new adventures!