So about fifty hours into Eador I lost. Shard defense mission, pulled an unlucky starting area where to expand I had to beat 15-stack armies with executioners, or trolls. Basically got ROFLstomped.

1) Dear Russia: what the %&@& is wrong with you and your stupid games?
2) Is there some optimized path for getting an army that won't get mauled, or some hero build that's known to be stronger? I had - up to that point - been having luck with Archers, Berserkers, Generals, and Archmages....so, basically, the leftmost progression, per class.

Any useful advice? I know I'm not a master of strategy, but this game is just infuriatingly hard - I can beat XCOM, Master of Orion 2, Galactic Civilizations, Hero's Bounty, and other games like that on the hardest difficulty, but this one, even on medium, is both hard and error-intolerant. Am I finally too old to play games? ^_^

my only advice is to harvest XP like crazy. leveling up your heroes is the number 1 priority.

And use a ranger hero, they are the best.

Also, get an alliance if you can, some racial units are really good like centaurs and elves.

I have a couple problems with the game but overall I do like it quite a bit.

First off I usually start games like this on the hardest or 2nd hardest level, or at the very least Normal or Hard because it is never wise to play when it's so tilted in your favor you would have to be a morron to lose.

I started the campaign but lost interest in it when i just rampaged through every province with my Ranger on the first campaign. Sadly it just makes me feel stupid to try it but perhaps I will go back to it and run through super quick.

I play the game on single scenario's and my only problem is with how unbelievably long it takes to get access to either 2nd level creatures or worse 2nd level spells. The Wizard kind of sucks if you don't have decent troops to defend him while he's busy firing off spells after all.

Either way Ranger or Wizard I start off with trying to get 2 Pikemen, FIRST STRIKE ROCKS, Also before I start really rampaging I try to get the life magic for the healing spell that way my conquest doesn't slow down so much waiting for troops to heal up after each battle. Then I park my guy in the top or bottom corner (top takes only 2 protectors to keep hero safe bottom 3) and eliminate guys either by Shooting from a range and then letting the Pikes finish them or same with spells.

One thing you may not realize is that the Necro spell Fear's effects are quite great for holding off tougher or speedier units early on to kill them at leisure. That -8 to morale does not go away unless they manage to kill some of your guys.

It's so sweet one of my Pikemen was about level 3 and had 2 "Will for Victory Order" Medals that give them +2 Atk & Counter Atk but raises their upkeep by 5 gold, more than reasonable imho. My Level 3 Pikey had 10 Atk and 13 Counter Atk and 18 HP, He was taking out most guys super easy.

Also on toughest difficulty I realized enemy Slingers start off with 14 HP instead of usually 10 and their Militia with 24 HP instead of 17. It was driving me nuts for a bit wondering why my guys were barely winning 2 on 1 battles with them lol.

The other thing I hate is that it takes so long for a Wiz to get access to his darn 2nd level spells while the Fighters just go nuts straight off.

I kind of wish the "Command" level for troops was a bit different. Like each level of troop took up slots = to it's rank, so if you had say 12 command rate you could have 12 1st level or only 3 of your top guys. Although they would have to have their stats adjusted a bit for that to be fair.