Jerzul wrote:Hello! I played ACW some, but now I want to jump in to this. Are there any guides to general strategy and game play? I know there is the manual, but with six patches out, I imagine some of the manual is out-of-date. Thanks!
Be sure to read through the following thread:
http://www.ageod-forum.com/showthread.php?39243-Points-to-Know
(I feel your overwhelmed pain...but for a different game)
In general, there are three major arenas to organize: (1) Richmond to Washington; (2) Cairo, IL, to Cincinnati, OH; and St. Louis toward the West. Though the Far West can be significant to the Union, it is less so to the CSA--other than for combat, promotions, and VP gains. Also, any Union invasion of a Southern port/river run area becomes a "hot zone" for contention.
Troops can be built in any state appropriate "green" region, so long as there is adequate supply of cash, conscripts, and gen. supply materials. You have to manage each of these three categories very rigorously--by experimenting (winning and losing) along the way. The only wrong way of managing these, is the one that fails every time. As the CSA, I'm pressed to build the better Inf units in the three critical combat arenas; then, build several Iron Works. I use bonds and taxes freely and occasionally print money. I build RR and River fleets nearly every turn until I reach and somewhat exceed maximum capacity.
Now, beyond this, read the AAR reports, search for prior posts on your specific needs, and always post your questions. CW2 is a superb, frustrating game (of inches for hours). It's a worthy play!
Have fun