Like most of the games in the series,Total War: Pharaohhas several features that make it unique. Even players familiar with standard Total War gameplay will still have new systems to learn if they want to carve their name in stone across Egypt and beyond.
Games as deep as this one can trip players up at first, simply because there is so much to know. We’ve put together a list of all the things we wish we knew before starting Total War: Pharaoh, so that you can get started without fear.
5Treat Your Outposts Like A Network
Outposts are small buildings that can beconstructed at specific points on the map. Territories typically have two to four Outpost slots, which you may use toenhance the province’s economy, defense, or other traits.
More importantly, Outposts are vital for getting the most out of your armies. When an army visits one of their faction’s Outposts, theyimmediately regain half the movement that they spent to reach it.By visiting every Outpost along the way to a destination, you cangreatly increase the distance your armies can cover.
Outposts alsogrant buffs to visiting armiesaccording to their type. Armies can have multiple different Outpost buffs at a time, so it pays to visit as many different types of Outposts as you can, as often as possible. This means that it’s a good idea toplace your Outposts so that your main travel routes have every type available,and your armies can get every buff available as they march to their destination.
When in doubt, try the following placement strategies:
4Know Your Unit Types
Until you can afford chariots, your armies will be composed strictly of infantry. That can be a tricky change for fans of other Total War games, where cavalry and artillery can play a major role. Here in the Bronze Age, though, you’ll need to reassess how you build your armies.
The main thing to be aware of isthe strength of each weapon type.Knowing what counters what will save you a lot of casualties and let you win more battles.
Swordsare your basic all-rounder weapons. Troops equipped with theseusually also have a shield and armor, and can handle themselves against most foes of the same tier. Sword units are at their best when charging.
Axesdeal extra damage against shields, making them ideal for breaking an enemy infantry line.Khopeshesalso get this bonus, in addition to more damage when flanking.
Clubsquickly degrade enemy armor. Club units alsousually have high speed and a good Charge Bonus, making them great for flanking and threatening enemy archers.
Spears, usually paired with armor and shields, offerhigh melee defensethat’s great for holding a position. They also dealextra damage against chariots.
Bowsare your standard ranged weapon, but they have amuch shorter rangethan in other Total War games. Like swords, they’re an all-rounder weapon.
Javelinshave very short range butignore armor, and their units are usuallyfair in close combatif they can get a flank..
Slingsare very weak but have a much longer range than bows, making them agood early-game counter for archers.
Chariotshave high mobility and armor, plus anincredible Charge Bonus, but they are expensive and it only takes losing a few chariots to severely lower the effectiveness of a unit. Use them tooutflank and run down non-spear infantry.
3Specialize Your Provinces
Even the largest cities in the game don’t have enough space to build every structure available. That’s why it’s important toget the most out of every settlement you control.While most cities can benefit fromTemples,Artisan Workshops, andCity Guard, you should try using the rest of your building slots to specialize provinces.
Usually, this meansmaximizing production of a resourcelike Food or Bronze, or making the provincean ideal place for your armies to recruit and recover.Whenever you conquer a new city, be sure tocheck if any unique buildingsare available there. Even if you can’t afford to construct them yet, building around them can lead to a big payoff later in the game.
2Use The Nile For Travel
Sea travel is common in Total War titles, but Pharaoh wouldn’t properly be a game about Egypt without featuring the Nile. Armies canembark on the riverand quickly sail north or south through Egypt, making travel between the Upper and Lower Kingdoms much faster.
Armies won’t embark unless you specifically tell them to do so; be sure to put an army on the river before ordering them to their destination, or they’ll attempt to take the overland route.
Of course, sailing on the Nile works both ways; enemy armies, including the dreaded Sea Peoples, can just as easilysail deep into the heart of Egyptand strike at the prosperous cities there!
1Allied Territory Counts Toward Victory
Winning the game requiresamassing a large amount of Victory Points. The majority of your points will come from controlling vast swathes of territory, both in your character’s homeland and abroad. Holding Cult Centers - the most important cities of the period - provide lots of points as well.
While you’ll naturally want to directly control as much territory as you can, you don’t have to do all the work. Areas controlled by your Vassals also grant you Victory Points,as do the lands of any faction with whom you have a Military Alliance.Having a powerful friend means extra help against hostile armies, and an easier time claiming victory.
Seti and Tausretstart the game allied to one another, giving them a head start toward a joint victory if they stick together.
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