Hi

I feel like uncovering strategic resources is important for mid/late game, scouting is really required for effective exploration. What are your strategy when it comes to exploration?
I feel like exploration is not worthwhile unless you have a scout with lvl 3+ scouting(skill that gives +exploration). But it is kind of expansive to allocate your second hero to full time scouting especially when he has emptied enough locations to reach lvl 3 scouting.

Build buildings which reveal hidden resources. There are one for each land type, except plains(sometimes contains hidden horses).

Having resource is a good thing, but you can fully build castle without using any.

Yes, I did that, but you still need to explore the province to actually use the resources right?

Right. But it is just about how much you need it.
You can explore 10 turns to find resource and get, for example, 40 gold discount. Or you can clear hardest possible for you sites and get 500-1000 gold/turn.
Example: My berserk attacks site with this reward:
http://imageshack.us/a/img339/4291/61270751.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img685/8546/29233718.jpg
repair cost - 184.
So I can get 2 black lotus for short change.

There is also a wolf fang necklace that increases exploration, and a leather armor. By the way you don't need to explore 100% to find resources, they are found like any other site. I don't think it's so important to have a big exploration bonus. Just hire 4 heroes and they'll explore fast. Moreover, when you discover a site, exploration advances only 1%, even if you have +25% bonus. As long as there are sites, they will be discovered and exploration will be slow even with bonus. After you discovered a lot of sites and there isn't much left, bonus becomes more important, I think. Moreover, what would you do with heroes if they don't explore? If you lose turns moving them around to reach easy (for them) sites, you lose a lot of time too, with no benefit. Then, the farthest you go from your stronghold, the more difficult sites become. Only in provinces next to the fortress there are easy sites, you should explore them first, no matter how slowly.

Also, scouting skill 2 is very useful (stamina sabotage is the best one, imho), but over 2 isn't that good. A scout should have other priorities at the beginning (marksman&pathfinding).

It feels like the exploration speed decreased when more of the province is discovered, is this true?

Yes this is correct. Scouting slows down the more of the province that is revealed. For example ounce you get to the 90% mark it slows down to 2% a turn without any special scouting bonus's.

Also to Gremlion. That is a very poor comparrison you make when you have your level 21 Berserker taking on a Massive site when comparing it to perhaps getting Mithril or Marble for building things.

This is for a couple reason which mainly the fact that not every just runs solo with the Warrior with no troops. This is usually my 2nd or 3rd hero after I have some gear for him. I especially like leveling him on Imps, Goblins and Lizardmen for the quick early levels with a First Strike weapon, Bless, Astral Energy and the Enchant Weapon.

You explore % of remaining territory or until special encounter.
I.e.:
Hero can explore 10% per turn
Territory at 60%
so, hero will explore for 10*(100-60)=4%
If there is a hidden place at 62%, exploring will stop at this. You can explore for 10-20 turns to get this resource or you can clear 4-5 sites and get enough money to buy them. Second way is more effective exp wise and drop wise.

Question: Approximately what turn was it when you took the picture of your Berserker clearing that site?

But you will also have to explore to find fights as well.

But yes expanding to more provinces is quite a bit more effective early on because this gets you income as well as possibilities for resources.

However it is also more costly depending on the type of units you use and Hero you start with. A starting Hero has very little defense to survive things like even Archers and Slingers, not to mention 3-4 Barbarians plus shaman support. If you keep having to rehire your army every time turns are also wasted going back and forth.

This is the reason why Warrior Hero is usually my 2nd or 3rd choice not first. By the time I get him I should have decent equipment and spells for him to even solo and thus level up very quickly.

~70.
I cleared similar site at 60th turn with him.
Got 20th level in ~15 battles.
2 sites with imps, 3 sites with 4-5 undead, then nomads and centaurs(5 nomads then 11, then 10+ centaurs).

My starting hero don't lose units:
http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/2116/46626386.jpg
http://img812.imageshack.us/img812/7743/65212580.png
http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/8921/15221743.png
He have very little defense, but have strong offense and units with godly defense
I explore only in situation when I don't have sites to attack and have really strong surrounding like troll swamps.

Yeah, but that's even worse, because we ordinary folks, usually don't get 3 medals for each units in 3 battles and our 12th battle isn't flawless victory against army of Orcs and Ogres.

I knew the answer to that question would give me feedback on my playing. I am playing on the Beginner Campaign, and just finished my third Shard.

I started a Scout and got him to Level 10 Archer Turn 29, and Level 20 Sharpshooter Turn 107.
I started a Warrior Turn 26 and got him to Level 10 Berserker Turn 65, and Level 20 Chieftain Turn 162.
I started a Commander Turn 51, promoted to Level 10 Tactician Turn 106, and Level 20 Strategist Turn 228.
I started a Wizard Turn 80, who eventually got to Level 20 Archmage Turn 239.

Your warrior got to level 20 in the same amount of time mine got to 10.

I posted all info about medals that I know here: http://www.gog.com/forum/eador_genesis/award_medal_details_request_to_russian_speaking_friends

After little practice you can do it too. Though sometimes RNG goes banana and I finish first ring with 1-2 medals total.

I think that we can record some VODs. Any suggestions?

I am not sure what you mean by VOD.