So, you're diving into Total War: Rome 2, huh? Awesome choice! It's a fantastic game, especially if you're aiming for world conquest. Conquering the entire map can seem like a daunting task, but with the right strategy and a bit of cunning, you'll be painting the ancient world your faction's color in no time. Let's break down how to achieve this monumental feat, step by step.

Choosing Your Faction Wisely

First things first, faction selection is crucial. Think long and hard about who you want to play as because it seriously impacts your entire campaign. Rome, obviously, is a powerhouse with strong infantry and a solid economy, making them a great choice for beginners aiming for world domination. Their starting position is relatively secure, and their units are reliable in almost any situation. However, don't dismiss other factions! Carthage, for example, boasts a strong navy and unique units, allowing for a different style of conquest focusing on naval dominance and trade. The Germanic tribes offer a challenging but rewarding campaign, forcing you to rely on strong, aggressive infantry tactics to overcome richer, more advanced foes. Consider the long-term implications of your choice. Do you prefer a faction with a strong economy that can sustain a long war? Or maybe you're more interested in a faction with unique military units and a challenging start? Each faction offers a unique path to world conquest, and choosing the right one for your playstyle is the first step towards victory. Understanding their strengths, weaknesses, and geographical location will significantly influence your early to mid-game strategies. Experiment with different factions in shorter campaigns to get a feel for their playstyle before committing to a full-scale world conquest attempt. This will save you valuable time and prevent frustration down the line. Ultimately, the best faction for you is the one that you find the most enjoyable and engaging to play, as a long campaign requires dedication and enthusiasm. Remember, world conquest is a marathon, not a sprint, so choose a faction that you'll be happy to play for dozens, if not hundreds, of hours.

Early Game Expansion: Laying the Foundation

The early game in Total War: Rome 2 is all about securing your borders and establishing a strong economic base. Don't overextend yourself too quickly. Focus on consolidating your starting province and expanding into nearby regions that offer valuable resources or strategic advantages. Prioritize taking regions that provide food, as food shortages can quickly cripple your economy and lead to unrest. Diplomacy is your friend in the early game. Secure trade agreements with neighboring factions to boost your income and establish non-aggression pacts to avoid early wars on multiple fronts. Identify potential threats and allies early on. Forming alliances with factions that share common enemies can provide valuable support in times of war. However, be wary of alliances that could drag you into unwanted conflicts. Invest in your infrastructure early on. Building economic buildings like farms, markets, and ports will significantly boost your income and allow you to recruit and maintain larger armies. Don't neglect your military, though. Build a strong core army to defend your territories and deter potential aggressors. Focus on quality over quantity in the early game. A smaller, well-trained army can often defeat a larger, poorly equipped force. Research technologies that improve your economy and military. Prioritize technologies that boost your income, improve your unit stats, or unlock new units. Manage public order carefully. High taxes and squalor can lead to unrest and rebellions. Keep your populations happy by providing them with food, entertainment, and security. Governors play a crucial role in managing your provinces. Choose governors with skills that complement the needs of the province, such as economic development or military defense. The early game is a delicate balancing act between economic development, military expansion, and diplomatic relations. Mastering these aspects is crucial for laying the foundation for a successful world conquest campaign.

Mid-Game Domination: Military Might and Strategic Alliances

As you move into the mid-game, it's time to ramp up your military efforts. Your economy should be stable enough to support multiple armies, so start planning your campaigns of conquest. Identify key strategic locations that will give you a foothold in new territories. Focus on taking regions with valuable resources, such as iron, timber, or horses, to boost your economy and improve your military capabilities. Military strategy becomes paramount. Employ combined arms tactics to maximize your effectiveness on the battlefield. Use your cavalry to flank enemy formations, your archers to soften them up, and your infantry to engage them in melee combat. Don't neglect your navy. Control of the seas is essential for trade and for launching naval invasions. Build a strong fleet to protect your trade routes and project your power across the oceans. Diplomacy remains important in the mid-game. Form alliances with factions that can help you achieve your strategic goals. Use diplomacy to isolate your enemies and prevent them from forming powerful coalitions against you. Employ agents to scout enemy territories, sabotage their infrastructure, and assassinate their leaders. Agents can be a valuable asset in weakening your enemies before you even engage them in battle. Manage your empire effectively. Divide your territories into manageable regions and appoint governors to oversee them. Implement policies that promote economic growth, improve public order, and strengthen your defenses. Research technologies that enhance your military capabilities, unlock new units, and improve your empire's infrastructure. Adapt to changing circumstances. Be prepared to adjust your strategies as new threats and opportunities arise. The mid-game is a period of intense military expansion and strategic maneuvering. Mastering these aspects is crucial for achieving your long-term goals and establishing your dominance over the ancient world. Remember to balance your military efforts with your economic development and diplomatic relations. A strong economy, loyal allies, and effective governance are essential for sustaining your war effort and preventing your empire from collapsing under its own weight.

Late Game Consolidation: Maintaining Your Empire

In the late game, you'll likely control a vast empire spanning multiple continents. The challenge now is to maintain your dominance and prevent your enemies from rising up against you. Empire management becomes critical. Ensure that your provinces are well-defended and that your populations are content. Invest in infrastructure improvements, such as temples, arenas, and public baths, to improve public order and boost your economy. Continue to expand your economy by developing new trade routes and exploiting valuable resources. A strong economy is essential for sustaining your massive military and funding your empire's infrastructure. Military strategy remains important. Maintain a strong standing army to deter potential aggressors and quell rebellions. Develop elite units that can be deployed to key strategic locations to respond to emergencies. Use your navy to control the seas and project your power across the oceans. Diplomacy becomes even more important in the late game. Maintain alliances with factions that can help you defend your borders and crush your enemies. Use diplomacy to isolate your enemies and prevent them from forming powerful coalitions against you. Employ agents to disrupt enemy economies, incite rebellions, and assassinate key figures. Agents can be a valuable asset in weakening your enemies and maintaining your dominance. Be prepared to fight on multiple fronts. Your enemies will likely try to exploit any weaknesses in your defenses, so you need to be able to respond quickly and effectively. Manage your resources carefully. Your empire will likely be consuming vast amounts of food, resources, and manpower, so you need to ensure that you have enough to meet your needs. Research technologies that improve your empire's infrastructure, enhance your military capabilities, and unlock new units. Adapt to changing circumstances. Be prepared to adjust your strategies as new threats and opportunities arise. The late game is a test of your ability to manage a vast and complex empire. Mastering these aspects is crucial for maintaining your dominance and achieving your ultimate goal of world conquest. Remember to balance your military strength with your economic development and diplomatic relations. A strong economy, loyal allies, and effective governance are essential for sustaining your empire and preventing it from collapsing under its own weight.

General Tips for World Conquest

Here are some additional tips to help you on your journey to world conquest:

• Master the Art of Siege Warfare: Sieges are a common occurrence in Total War: Rome 2, so learn how to effectively assault and defend settlements. Build siege equipment like rams, siege towers, and ladders to breach enemy walls. Position your artillery to bombard enemy defenses and weaken their troops. Time your attacks carefully to maximize your chances of success.
• Understand Unit Matchups: Knowing which units are effective against others is crucial for winning battles. For example, spearmen are effective against cavalry, while swordsmen are effective against spearmen. Use this knowledge to your advantage on the battlefield.
• Exploit Enemy Weaknesses: Every faction has its strengths and weaknesses. Identify your enemies' weaknesses and exploit them to your advantage. For example, if your enemy relies heavily on cavalry, use spearmen to counter them. If your enemy has a weak economy, disrupt their trade routes and sabotage their infrastructure.
• Use Agents Wisely: Agents can be a valuable asset in weakening your enemies and supporting your own efforts. Use spies to scout enemy territories, assassins to eliminate key figures, and champions to train your troops. Employ dignitaries to spread your culture and incite rebellions in enemy provinces.
• Manage Public Order: High taxes, squalor, and cultural differences can lead to unrest and rebellions. Keep your populations happy by providing them with food, entertainment, and security. Build temples, arenas, and public baths to improve public order. Appoint governors with skills that improve public order.
• Don't Neglect Your Navy: Control of the seas is essential for trade and for launching naval invasions. Build a strong fleet to protect your trade routes and project your power across the oceans. Use your navy to blockade enemy ports and disrupt their economies.
• Research Technologies Wisely: Technologies can significantly improve your economy, military, and infrastructure. Prioritize technologies that will help you achieve your strategic goals. For example, if you're focusing on military expansion, research technologies that improve your unit stats and unlock new units. If you're focusing on economic development, research technologies that boost your income and improve your infrastructure.
• Adapt to Changing Circumstances: The world of Total War: Rome 2 is dynamic and unpredictable. Be prepared to adjust your strategies as new threats and opportunities arise. Don't be afraid to abandon your plans if they're not working. The key to success is to be flexible and adaptable.

So, there you have it, guys! World conquest in Total War: Rome 2 is a massive undertaking, but it's totally achievable with the right strategies and a bit of perseverance. Good luck, and may your empire reign supreme!