Starter nation

[kch]

Hello.. any suggestion on an "easy" starter nation? Maybe Austria-Hungary or Italy since they are geographically limited in scope? Or is it better to start with a nation with a nation with big budgets.

[dorn]

Mar 21, 2019 5:47:32 GMT -6 kch said:

Hello.. any suggestion on an "easy" starter nation? Maybe Austria-Hungary or Italy since they are geographically limited in scope? Or is it better to start with a nation with a nation with big budgets.

Hello kch

everyone could have different opinion but there 2 nations which is easier at start but I would suggest Austria-Hungary. The other good possibility is USA.

1. Austria-Hungary - no colonies to worry about means no large cruiser fleet is needed. Location in the Mediterranean means that only UK, France and Italy has bases there but France has colonial empire that need to be guarded and Italy is in similar position as A-H. Later A-H budget will go up faster than others except USA

2. USA - starting budget is solid and later could be even bigger than UK. USA position means that it is practically impossible except UK attack USA home areas and even for UK it could be difficult. If you like dreadnought battles there are less common with USA as they are just outside Europe so USA cannot easily send their battlefleet to Europe and other nations (except UK) to USA

Other nations summary:

1. UK - worldwide commitments, but the highest budget. Because of the largest fleet it is not considered as easist to start with

2. Germany - only UK and USA has higher budget, but Germany has some colonies around the world which could be a little more dificult to defend

3. France - moderate budget with large colonial empire - commitments, I consider France as tougher one

4. Russia - with 2 regions in other side of globe (Europe and Far East) with endoveloped industry and poor education mean Russia is usally tougher to play

5. Italy - Same advantages with location as A-H, however their budget do not rise so much later and Poor education and inconsistent naval policy does not help them either.

6. Japan - It is quite unique nation to play as location is far from other powers (USA main bases are East coast even if the West coast is "home area" too)  so even with limited Japanese budget undeveloped shipbuilding industry, it is tougher for other powers to project their power to Far East. However same is for Japan to project power outside Far East.

I hope, it could help

[bcoopactual]

The only nation I would recommend staying away from is the UK.  They have a lot of micromanagement handling the refitting of ships on their numerous stations. 

The US is relatively easy.  Downsides is you have to deal with two oceans and going around Cape Horn until 1914 when the Panama Canal opens.  Also, since none of the other powers share a home area in the same Ocean area, wars can get somewhat boring since any expeditionary fleet you send to enemy waters can easily see heavy (if temporary) losses due to internment from even relatively light damage.  So early on at least until you or they get bases in the same ocean area the fights tend to be cruiser actions in remote areas and raider intercepts. 

Japan is probably a good choice for beginners.  They can fight Russia and possibly England and Germany straight up since all three, particularly Russia have bases in Japan's home area.  France and Germany would also probably be good choices although they have more colony management than Japan.  Both have home areas in Northern Europe so there is no shortage of action against numerous foes. 

Italy or Austria-Hungary are smaller nations without a lot of overseas management  but their budget limitations can be frustrating.     

[Edit - I was typing this up as dorn was posting his advice.  It's good advice and well worth considering.  I have some differing opinions but I could certainly be wrong because I don't have a ton of experience playing nations other than the USA so maybe I missed something.]

[noshurviverse]

I might recommend the CSA. You can spend early years bullying Spain out of Caribbean possessions, before moving on to France or the US as a tougher enemy. The UKs East Coast/Caribbean possessions will probably be your endgame goal. You also get Subs at turn 2, which can help adding passive pressure to win wars through merchant sinkings.

[kch]

thanks everybody for the advice. Would you also recommend to start with small fleet sizes?

[noshurviverse]

Mar 21, 2019 7:23:23 GMT -6 kch said:

thanks everybody for the advice. Would you also recommend to start with small fleet sizes?

Small I feel is a bit too small, normal should be good.