What's the easiest setting for New Horizons? In the base game, you couldn't really use the easiest difficulty setting because the AI would come storming through the neutral areas in zero seconds flat, so I played on "competent" and generally did OK. But in New Horizons, I can't make it 30 turns on the first non-tutorial map before the AI is there with three heroes, any one of which has enough army to kill me twice over.

I'm not normally *bad* at this kind of game, so there's something I'm not getting.

Should I not explore the starting hex? I was exploring it to 100%, then moving on to the next hex.

Should I not play scout? That always worked fine in the base game.

Is it just harder, and I'm too bad to play it? That could be the problem, too.

There's no reason on Competent the AI should show up in 30 turns with 18 crossbowmen when I can't even afford to keep five slingers around. What's up?

Exploring to 100% is being the main case.
You get better momentum if you capture first ring, clear available sites and go to second ring.

IIRC, in NH for novices it is advised to start as warrior and become holy warrior, because he has first strike.

Yeah, that seems to have done it. Thank you.

I got so spoiled on easier 4x games that didn't require expansion from the beginning that I completely forgot how to pace this game. I just remember ragequitting and uninstalling it like five times back when it was new to GOG (Yeah, that'll show you, game! I'll re-install you later!), and haven't played it since.

Artifacts with First Strike are just too common to worry with Holy Warrior. The game seems to punish you pretty badly for not going with a pure class, so I'm going to try that for a little bit. And see how it goes when jerkface the irritating comes and attacks me. I never got past that part in the campaign; never even had the slightest chance against him. ;_; Here's hoping I do better with NH.

del

As Gremlion hints, the gold and gem income from 1st-circle provinces is rather crucial. You can't just hole up in your capital ;-) The easiest provinces to conquer are Free Settlement and Brigand Outlaws (there is a small karma penalty for conquering Free Settlements by force).

eador.online.fr/en/province_type.var.html
eador.online.fr/en/guard.var.html

Regards.

In the latest mod version, First Strike requires Paladin.
From Text/Hero_class_d.txt
/5 Holy Knight
#Possesses the skills First Aid (3), Smite Evil (1), Hunter of Undead (1), Hunter of Demons (1). Holy Knight armor is increased by 1. Can learn warrior skills up to Mastery Level 5.#

/21 Paladin
#Possesses the skills First Aid (8), First Strike, Smite Evil (3), Hunter of Undead (1), Hunter of Demons (1). The Paladin's armor increases by 2 and resistance by 1. A Paladin receives an additional slot for Circle II spell. Can learn warrior skills up to Mastery Level 5.#

Critical moment:
Can learn warrior skills up to Mastery Level 5.#
Level 5 - round attack.

From Skill.txt

/8 Weapon Master
#A Weapon Master inflicts greater damage on the enemy.

Lvl 1: Attack +1, Counterattack +1
Lvl 2: Attack +2, Counterattack +1
Lvl 3: Attack +1, Counterattack +2
Lvl 4: Attack +2, Counterattack +1
Lvl 5: Attack +1, Counterattack +2#

/9 Armor Master
#An Armor Master increases his defense against physical damage.

Lvl 1: Defense +1, Ranged Defense +1
Lvl 2: Defense +1, Ranged Defense +1
Lvl 3: Defense +1, Ranged Defense +1
Lvl 4: Defense +1, Ranged Defense +1
Lvl 5: Defense +1, Ranged Defense +1#

/10 Constitution
#Constitution increases the hero's hit points and stamina.

Lvl 1: Hit Points +2, Stamina +1
Lvl 2: Hit Points +2, Stamina +1
Lvl 3: Hit Points +3, Stamina +1, Regen +1
Lvl 4: Hit Points +4, Stamina +2
Lvl 5: Hit Points +5, Stamina +2, Regen +1#

/11 Willpower
#Willpower increases the hero's morale and magic resistance.

Lvl 1: Resistance +1, Morale +1
Lvl 2: Resistance +1, Morale +1
Lvl 3: Resistance +1, Morale +1
Lvl 4: Resistance +1, Morale +2
Lvl 5: Resistance +1, Morale +2#

/12 Athletics
#Athletics increases the hero's initiative and his movement speed in battle.

Lvl 1: Initiative +1, Forced March
Lvl 2: Initiative +1, Recuperation +3
Lvl 3: Initiative +1, Speed +1
Lvl 4: Initiative +1, Charge
Lvl 5: Initiative +1, Speed +1#

/13 Combat
#This skill improves the hero's attack accuracy and parry rating.

Lvl 1: Precise Strike +2, Parry +2
Lvl 2: Precise Strike +1, Parry +2
Lvl 3: Precise Strike +2, Parry +2
Lvl 4: Precise Strike +1, Parry +2
Lvl 5: Precise Strike +2, Parry +2#

/14 Blacksmithing
#Blacksmithing slows down the degradation of the hero's equipment, and increases the gold income as well.

Lvl 1: Item Wear -10~, Income +10
Lvl 2: Item Wear -10~, Income +20
Lvl 3: Item Wear -10~, Stunning Blow +1
Lvl 4: Item Wear -10~, Income +30
Lvl 5: Item Wear -10~, Stunning Blow +1#

Regards.

Shame on me, Akella has missed.
My first statement still stands, though.
First strike with something like Sword of blood much better than +2/+4 first strike weapon.

Probably my least favorite thing about this game is that the mechanics are never clear. Never.

Literally nothing in English ever explained how crucial the plunder provinces option is, and why. I mean, yeah, I can read some of the Russian and can Google translate the rest (and have done so) but I still managed to miss that detail ;_;

Still doesn't explain why this is the only turn-based 4X I've ever played that I cannot even come close to winning, on any difficulty setting. Once again, Doh-Gor rolls up, attacks me, and wipes me out. Tried half a dozen different strategies (because I always back up my Astral plane save so I can try a shard again if I lose, I don't care if some feel it's cheating), but even with the home court advantage I can't last 50 turns. What the hell, Bokulev. Your game is evil. XD

This game grew up from his old game, written in times of monochrome monitors, mix of King's bounty and roguelike.
Thus no-save and many undocumented features.
I remember that astral campaign is a last moment addition, initially it was just randomly generated runs.

Heh, figuring out the game's mechanics is one of my favorite hobbies ;-)
And I've never once plundered my provinces, because I always play the good master :-)
(Well maybe once when I had an Orcish province that caused me too much corruption, and I wanted to get rid of it.)
Feel free to drop by the "official" New Horizons forums to discuss strategy.
http://eador.com/B2/viewforum.php?f=33
Regards. I didn't mean to shame you. I know you don't play NH, and Jazz likes to change things around with every release!

Regards.

Hold on!! Bokulev's first game (Ancient War in Chetraney*) dates back to 1995. That's much later than monochrome monitors, even in Russia ;-))

http://www.strategygamesitalia.it/strategy-e-wargames/masters-of-the-broken-world-development-diary-t7157.html

(*) Now THAT is old school graphics!! :-)
http://www.old-games.ru/game/5178.html

His friend told a story about creation of the game - initially it was made on monochrome monitor, then, after porting to 16 bit monitor he experienced how eyebleachingly his 'noble colors' looked and rewrote video output.
Teal/purple screenshots on second link - rudiments of monochrome

Puppy, I'm sure you'll be delighted to hear that I have found a way to make the game even harder (by improving the AI in some combat situations). You can thank me later :-p