I know this can be very subjective. I don't normally do video like this but with a lot of people putting the empire down I wanted to show all the points that make it so good. And unlike most cultures that have 2 or maybe 3 points, the empire have so many especially late game which is why I picked them. Early on however, a couple other are much better. The empire is more a mid to late game dominate pick
If I had to pick one best culture, I think I would agree with you (it would be razor thin with Battania). But it's very situational. As you mentioned, the Empire is geared more towards the late game. Well, the late game happens to be 1. the easiest part of the game, and 2. the part all players will experience the least and most players will not experience at all. Because of the difficulty curve of the game (hard at the beginning, increasingly easier as time goes on), Empire is not really going to make the game easier per se, just less tedious towards the end. So it's very good for things like speedruns where winning more efficiently is important and the game is going to be played to the very end (all enemies defeated). However, for the average person picking the game up and playing it, Vlandia and Battania are going to help you when you actually need help: at the beginning when your character faces real challenges to success, not just obstacles to winning faster. Great guide as always. Really enjoy these and have definitely learned a lot from them.
Finally someone spreading the good word of the empire. Everyone told me Battania but I restarted a 40 hour play through to go empire. I think some people think money isn’t an issue mid-late game and if you wanna mess with smithing and trade maybe that’s true but I was struggling way too much with garrison costs so I’d get rid of some troops but then my castles would get taken and I got stuck in a loop of constantly fighting to take gear to sell to get money to replace the troops I lost retaking my castles which I would then lose again because I couldn’t afford a garrison lmao. Plus every fief I had to leave on festivals and couldn’t build anything to even begin making money. The effort to remake all the money I was paying garrisons wasn’t worth the time investment when I could be focusing on other things. The movement speed buff is amazing but I’m faster than anyone with my movement speed perks anyway and I keep to the roads. Keep fighting the Battanian propaganda!
Empire start is just an excellent choice no matter what you want to do. Others might suit specific playthroughs, but Empire works pretty well for every playthrough. Just like their troops really.
I agree with you Flesson. I have a lvl 32 empire culure character and i became a vassal of vlandia. Every single empire town or cassle we've taken has been given to my clan. Im on console (Xbox series s) so no mods or console commands.
Agreed, though i always try to recruit Heavy cavalry from other culture... 18 denar / day for an Elite Cathapract just a pain to amass them. I choose to recruit Bannerknight for Hvy cavalry duty, slighty cheper 16 dennars a day yet as efective lol
My charecter born in empire but i moved aserai and settle there my whole towns are high properity and growing very fast mostly 70 plus loyalty and garrison are full of troops like high tier mostly
Thx for the videos. Maybe it's so, but, IMHO,those advantages just for the balancing reasons. Sitting surrounded in the middle of the map just do the opposite effects. On the other side, every playthrough I see that sitting on the side ,not exactly help sturgian s either)
I just play as battania for the aesthatic and use a mod that alters the culture slowly over time if loyalty is over 50 But vanilla Empire is best for the mid/late game own kingdom.
I have to say I agree.. I always choose battania but next campaign I'll probably roll with the empire.. the palatine guard are formidable archers even against the fian champions
Khuzait. Fast during battle and on the campain map. You can fight the battles you win and run away if there is no chance to win. KI has Problems to hit mounted troups.
Yeah but you’re much more likely to get prisoners of your own culture if you’re playing as the empire because there are multiple empire factions which will all mainly use Empire troops.
Curious which troop tree you think is the best if not empire. The legionary, elite menavliaton, palatine guard, and elite cataphract are all in the running for being best in their respective roles. So other than horse archers, they are either best or tied for best in all troop types that really matter (not including noble archers). How is that not the best troop tree? Which other culture comes close?
Aserai...in my humble opinnion has the best unit roster , in the latest patches everything above tier 2 that they have is OP by far! But the unit roster i think is not soo important simply ...You are the player, can mix your roster as much as you wish!
@@ponsekraev588 That's a fair contention, especially when you are talking about the whole tree and not just the endpoints. Aserai have some very potent options in the veteran infantry and the master archer, also potentially best in their class. The palace guard is probably the worst two hander, but the gap between two handers is not that large in practice since they all get wrecked by archers and smash face when they get into melee. I kind of wish that the game design was more restrictive in the way that it deals with mix and match troop types from different trees. As it is, you're right that the only reason to only get troops from a single tree is flavor.
Aserai has best foot archer, and tied best for t5 horse archers. Their shield infantry is pretty decent, close to Empire in armor, but with throwing javelins that can 1 shot kill.
Battania is easy early game for the forest reduction penalty making it much easier. But for all the reasons in the video, once you make a kingdom the Empire is better. You just need to pick which part of the game early or late game you want to be easier to get through
@@Flesson19 out of curiosity do you still feel if you run as a vassal that empire is still best for a first playthrough? That’s what my plan is at this moment
@@brandonw6340 yes it also gives you the best chance to recruit additional troops with perks, vuild relation with empire vassals so they don't raid your villages later, make it easier to recruit
Those who assume certain cultures are better than others are foolish. All cultures have their perks. I personally hate the imperials because of the bland cliché faction that they have. But I love the vlandians and sturgians. The empire is not the best culture. It is good but it all depends on your play style.
The Valdians have the best heavy cal in the game. Sturgians have the best ground troops, and Brattian has the best archers, and that balances them out. Where the econ with caravans is better with the Asarai, and that builds balance and options to the Empire, which has the best culture.
Empire is far the best...but i will not spoil the secret...just will say finish the main Quest uniting The Empire! Etc Folow the Istana quest and finish it till the end...then you will see why ....😁😁😁😉😉😉 New patches baby new stuff ..😂😂😂
@@benwilliams3539 Yes right now, the reward from finishing the Actual main Quest is worth more than anything .(Tested and i can confirm it at least from the Unite the Empire side) Imagine having all Imperial Clans (all 3 imperial factions, alongside the rest of them Fieft ) joining your kingdom .....for Free , Just becose You are The Emperor at that point! 😉👍
I really want to emphasise how boring and saturated the empire is. A soldier with Byzantine style armour is called an imperial legionary. What? All imperial armour looks tacky as hell and looks ugly.
@@mortache you don’t have the luxury to know what I have and haven’t seen. I would also like to point out that you are misinterpreting what my comment was trying to say. As usual.
@@mortache dude I wasn’t questioning the authenticity of the armour I’m just wondering why they used ancient Roman names for Greek Byzantine style soldiers. I just said the armour is ugly and I don’t like it. I simply wish they would have went for another style of faction like maybe taking inspiration from the Spanish or something. I don’t see why you have to have such an attitude im just stating my opinion.
I know this can be very subjective. I don't normally do video like this but with a lot of people putting the empire down I wanted to show all the points that make it so good. And unlike most cultures that have 2 or maybe 3 points, the empire have so many especially late game which is why I picked them. Early on however, a couple other are much better. The empire is more a mid to late game dominate pick
For a total domination playthrough I fully agree - the loyalty boost when taking over towns of the same culture is the main reason imo!
If I had to pick one best culture, I think I would agree with you (it would be razor thin with Battania). But it's very situational. As you mentioned, the Empire is geared more towards the late game. Well, the late game happens to be 1. the easiest part of the game, and 2. the part all players will experience the least and most players will not experience at all. Because of the difficulty curve of the game (hard at the beginning, increasingly easier as time goes on), Empire is not really going to make the game easier per se, just less tedious towards the end. So it's very good for things like speedruns where winning more efficiently is important and the game is going to be played to the very end (all enemies defeated). However, for the average person picking the game up and playing it, Vlandia and Battania are going to help you when you actually need help: at the beginning when your character faces real challenges to success, not just obstacles to winning faster.
Great guide as always. Really enjoy these and have definitely learned a lot from them.
Finally someone spreading the good word of the empire. Everyone told me Battania but I restarted a 40 hour play through to go empire. I think some people think money isn’t an issue mid-late game and if you wanna mess with smithing and trade maybe that’s true but I was struggling way too much with garrison costs so I’d get rid of some troops but then my castles would get taken and I got stuck in a loop of constantly fighting to take gear to sell to get money to replace the troops I lost retaking my castles which I would then lose again because I couldn’t afford a garrison lmao. Plus every fief I had to leave on festivals and couldn’t build anything to even begin making money.
The effort to remake all the money I was paying garrisons wasn’t worth the time investment when I could be focusing on other things.
The movement speed buff is amazing but I’m faster than anyone with my movement speed perks anyway and I keep to the roads. Keep fighting the Battanian propaganda!
Empire start is just an excellent choice no matter what you want to do. Others might suit specific playthroughs, but Empire works pretty well for every playthrough.
Just like their troops really.
I agree with you here. I think the empire is best culture to have for you’re character. It comes down to that loyalty ultimately for me.
I agree with you Flesson. I have a lvl 32 empire culure character and i became a vassal of vlandia. Every single empire town or cassle we've taken has been given to my clan. Im on console (Xbox series s) so no mods or console commands.
I agree with you about the empire. I almost always choose the Empire to play.
Agreed, though i always try to recruit Heavy cavalry from other culture... 18 denar / day for an Elite Cathapract just a pain to amass them. I choose to recruit Bannerknight for Hvy cavalry duty, slighty cheper 16 dennars a day yet as efective lol
My charecter born in empire but i moved aserai and settle there my whole towns are high properity and growing very fast mostly 70 plus loyalty and garrison are full of troops like high tier mostly
Thx for the videos. Maybe it's so, but, IMHO,those advantages just for the balancing reasons. Sitting surrounded in the middle of the map just do the opposite effects. On the other side, every playthrough I see that sitting on the side ,not exactly help sturgian s either)
Playing on the hardest difficulty you are correct. But anything else or a casual player batt will be the easiest.
the speed bonus with a party when your a merc and the +1 militia to Battanian towns is powerful. I consider Empire and Batt 1A and 1B really.
I just play as battania for the aesthatic and use a mod that alters the culture slowly over time if loyalty is over 50
But vanilla Empire is best for the mid/late game own kingdom.
I have to say I agree.. I always choose battania but next campaign I'll probably roll with the empire.. the palatine guard are formidable archers even against the fian champions
The question is not if Empire culture is good. The question is if its better than Battania's.
That depends for what and how you want to play !
But for Totall Domination the Empire is Undisputed By Far The Best!
Battania is like the worst culture of all lol. If you just let the AI run they're always the first one to get completely destroyed by every culture.
@@jacobbrendle1508 we are talking about the cultural bonus, not the actual culture itself.
@@jacobbrendle1508 Thats because they dont use their archers
@@jacobbrendle1508 their map position has a lot to do with that imo
just simply because Most of the cities and castles is empire culture , no low loyalty means everything in late game.
Samed babuş
Only thing I hate about it is that it only applies to Emperian towns.
Khuzait. Fast during battle and on the campain map. You can fight the battles you win and run away if there is no chance to win. KI has Problems to hit mounted troups.
I always end up using Imperial troops anyway so yeah, I prefer the Empire as well.
Just my guess before I watch. Because caring for all those Castels/Citys in the middle if the map is so much easier
didnt you realesed this video a few days ago? @Flesson19
Empire is good if you're making your own kingdom, but others are better for being a vassal
exactly right, I think end game which makes it easier for the terrible grind
Also your point about morale when recruiting troops of the same culture from prisoners is invalid, this applies to all cultures.
Yeah but you’re much more likely to get prisoners of your own culture if you’re playing as the empire because there are multiple empire factions which will all mainly use Empire troops.
Amazing video
The loyalty thing annoys the shit out of me. Best way to fix loyalty issues IS construction. They fuck you over so hard.
Curious which troop tree you think is the best if not empire. The legionary, elite menavliaton, palatine guard, and elite cataphract are all in the running for being best in their respective roles. So other than horse archers, they are either best or tied for best in all troop types that really matter (not including noble archers). How is that not the best troop tree? Which other culture comes close?
Aserai...in my humble opinnion has the best unit roster , in the latest patches everything above tier 2 that they have is OP by far!
But the unit roster i think is not soo important simply ...You are the player, can mix your roster as much as you wish!
@@ponsekraev588 That's a fair contention, especially when you are talking about the whole tree and not just the endpoints. Aserai have some very potent options in the veteran infantry and the master archer, also potentially best in their class. The palace guard is probably the worst two hander, but the gap between two handers is not that large in practice since they all get wrecked by archers and smash face when they get into melee.
I kind of wish that the game design was more restrictive in the way that it deals with mix and match troop types from different trees. As it is, you're right that the only reason to only get troops from a single tree is flavor.
Aserai has best foot archer, and tied best for t5 horse archers. Their shield infantry is pretty decent, close to Empire in armor, but with throwing javelins that can 1 shot kill.
Does that mindset work in gym?
Iv been wondering if empire was easier for a first playthrough any other tips you can recommend
Battania is easy early game for the forest reduction penalty making it much easier. But for all the reasons in the video, once you make a kingdom the Empire is better. You just need to pick which part of the game early or late game you want to be easier to get through
@@Flesson19 out of curiosity do you still feel if you run as a vassal that empire is still best for a first playthrough? That’s what my plan is at this moment
@@brandonw6340 yes it also gives you the best chance to recruit additional troops with perks, vuild relation with empire vassals so they don't raid your villages later, make it easier to recruit
Will the bonus change if you retire/die and your heir is of a different culture?
Good question as I've only died twice and my heirs were same culture
The children are apparently the culture of the mother
You discuss me... I'm Sturgian all day... Shield wall!!!
It's unfair to call any 1 culture the best as everyone plays differently. I prefer the Forrest movement speed and militia gain from battainians
I took over the whole map like in a month with sturgia
Those who assume certain cultures are better than others are foolish. All cultures have their perks. I personally hate the imperials because of the bland cliché faction that they have. But I love the vlandians and sturgians.
The empire is not the best culture. It is good but it all depends on your play style.
The Valdians have the best heavy cal in the game. Sturgians have the best ground troops, and Brattian has the best archers, and that balances them out. Where the econ with caravans is better with the Asarai, and that builds balance and options to the Empire, which has the best culture.
It's a convenient faction for sure.
Empire is far the best...but i will not spoil the secret...just will say finish the main Quest uniting The Empire!
Etc Folow the Istana quest and finish it till the end...then you will see why ....😁😁😁😉😉😉
New patches baby new stuff ..😂😂😂
Is it worth going campaign instead of just sandbox? Can't decide which
@@benwilliams3539 Yes right now, the reward from finishing the Actual main Quest is worth more than anything .(Tested and i can confirm it at least from the Unite the Empire side)
Imagine having all Imperial Clans (all 3 imperial factions, alongside the rest of them Fieft ) joining your kingdom .....for Free , Just becose You are The Emperor at that point!
😉👍
No round shoeldwalls so its not worth.. Sturgia!!!!
I really want to emphasise how boring and saturated the empire is.
A soldier with Byzantine style armour is called an imperial legionary. What?
All imperial armour looks tacky as hell and looks ugly.
I mean bro the game is technically fantasy this isn’t total war or something
That's only because you're just used to seeing 16th century gendarme and 2nd century legionary armor. "Byzantine" armor needs representation too
@@mortache you don’t have the luxury to know what I have and haven’t seen. I would also like to point out that you are misinterpreting what my comment was trying to say. As usual.
@@ChuntyCops ok so show me a more accurate representation of high medieval "Byzantine" armor in a media and I'll educate myself
@@mortache dude I wasn’t questioning the authenticity of the armour I’m just wondering why they used ancient Roman names for Greek Byzantine style soldiers. I just said the armour is ugly and I don’t like it. I simply wish they would have went for another style of faction like maybe taking inspiration from the Spanish or something. I don’t see why you have to have such an attitude im just stating my opinion.
Hi
Only feds play the empire 😂
ppl doesnt want easier game XD