Newbie suggestions

[millsian]

So I’ve read the manual(s) and about to part with cash .

Looking for suggestions on way to get into game

Do I start with1900 game to get used to game mechanics before I introducing the added complexity of aircraft

My knowledge is much more ww2 era centric but reading the manual seems that aircraft bring a whole new level of things to understand how game works.

I seem to recall that can set global slow development of aircraft so that it remains a naval war game rather than an aircraft anti ship game

[tbr]

My tip is to start 1900 with Austria. Britain can be overwhelming to a newbie, USA and Japan do not have much of a "domestic" (in home area waters) threat and thus are more of an "expeditionary" style of play.

[JagdFlanker]

yes, starting at 1900 is the best bet. you can even lower tech progression to 50% or even 10% to extend the dreadnaught era through most of the game

Austria-Hungry is a great country to start as since it doesn't have colonies, it has it's own oil and it's budget can explode later on

Italy is also a good starter country as it only has 1 colony and has a bigger starting budget than A-H when you play on normal budget

Japan isn't too bad either since it's isolated so you end up getting less wars, but that sometimes makes it tricky getting a bigger budget as the game progresses

[millsian]

Thanks for your help

[aardvark]

I would recommend starting as Germany in 1920, with either large or very large, and with Versailles in effect. (And potentially also Washington Naval Treaty.) The ships are a little closer to what you are used to, and you will learn the fine art of not provoking a war. (I didn't achieve parity with France until the late 30s.)