While Total War: Pharaoh carries over the basic grand-strategy formula that the series is so well known for, it's also introducing a few brand new mechanics and systems that can slightly change the way it plays. This means that it can take a little bit of getting used to for longtime fans, and can seem pretty overwhelming for anyone jumping into the series for the first time, but the game does luckily feature a fairly straightforward tutorial that can help players get to grips with the game as quickly as possible.

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There are 8 leaders to choose from in Total War Pharaoh, but some are already proving to be a lot more effective in leading their armies than others.

Still, it can be incredibly easy to make some big mistakes early on that can make it much more difficult to acquire influence and expand territory, which are the key objectives of the game. It can be worthwhile to know how to go about avoiding these mistakes to make the gameplay a lot more fun and engaging, and these are the biggest ones to steer clear of when starting a new game.

6 Don't Pick A Leader Randomly

There are 8 leaders that the player can choose from when booting up Total War: Pharaoh, but while some people might just pick any of them to jump into the game as quickly as possible, it's worth researching them since they all play very differently from one another. Each Leader has their own unique units and buildings which allows them to excel in specific areas.

Ramesses, for example, is the all-rounder of the bunch who might not be able to amass an army as big as his peers, but he also has access to elite units who are great at initiating flanks. Irsu, on the other hand, is a tight-fisted leader who uses his men like cannon fodder which makes him a real terrifying force on the battlefield, but he also struggles to keep his population happy. All leaders will also spawn in very different parts of the map, some of which like Kurunta will be directly next door to a bed of resources, so it's definitely worth reading the description of each leader before starting a game and choosing wisely.

5 Try To Prioritize A Specific Weapon Variant

Since the game is based in the Bronze Age, armies will be made up entirely of infantry and chariots, so without any artillery or cavalry to wipe out enemy groups, players will need to pay a lot more attention to the weapon types and how they work. It's well worth testing out each of these weapons since they all have their own positives and negatives, but it's a very good idea to prioritize weapons that are good for charging since this is the best and most efficient way to deal with archers and to execute a flank strategy.

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Swords and clubs are the best weapons for providing charging bonuses, and they're considered to be the best all-rounders, which will be viable for pretty much any scenario. Of course, the weapon of choice should depend on where the player is situated, so if they choose Suppiluliuma, for example, who's surrounded by enemies on all sides, then defensive weapons like spears and slings should be the go-to options. Because territorial expansion is such an important part of the game, it means that equipping weapons that are effective in applying pressure to enemy camps and armies is usually the most reliable choice.

4 Make Sure To Use Outposts And Monuments Strategically

Outposts can initially seem like nothing more than regular buildings which aren't of much importance, but they can actually provide some essential buffs that are needed to build a grand army. Most territories will be able to house two to four Outposts that should be constructed as soon as possible. Trading Posts are some of the most important as they not only boost the economy but can also reduce the upkeep modifier for any armies passing through them.

Meanwhile, Monuments and Shrines provide cultural benefits that will raise the happiness of citizens, so making sure these are well protected and in safe hands is of utmost importance. Then there are Waystations which can provide troops with full immunity to the desert attrition that makes long marches through the sandy environment much easier. It's quite easy to randomly build an Outpost in a settlement when the prompt for it pops up, but this can quickly lead to an inefficient army and settlement, so it's a good idea to take the time to place them in strategic positions instead.

3 Don't Leave Settlements Near The Coast Defenseless

Every now and again, settlements and towns that are near the coast will be attacked by the mysterious Sea People who can prove to be a real nuisance. This can also happen on islands such as Cyprus which Kurunta spawns right next to. It's therefore a massive mistake to leave these sorts of areas completely defenseless since it will only make them an easy target while the main army is out on a patrol or campaign.

Forts are the best way to tackle this as these small constructs will be able to deploy cheap troops quick enough to hold back any invading forces. Sea People can be kept from attacking settlements by maintaining a high enough Pillars of Civilization score, but this isn't always an option, so being prepared for these inevitable attacks is always important to avoid being caught off guard. One especially effective tactic, which is more ideal for leaders like Irsu and Seti who can amass huge armies, is to station a small force within a settlement and then another just outside. This way, there's a force to defend the attacks, and reinforcements not far away in case they're needed.

2 Don't Always Be The Aggressor

While every leader in Total War: Pharaoh has areas where they excel, they all also come with a number of drawbacks that make them very weak and inefficient in others. Seti and Irsu can easily amass enough forces to take over as much land as they want, but they will struggle to keep their people happy, and they aren't great with diplomacy. On the other hand, Bay is a master speaker who can establish Plots and sabotage missions to destroy his enemies from within, but he's not much of a threat on the battlefield.

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Teaming up with other leaders might not initially seem like the smartest move, but it's much more beneficial to try and strike a deal with enemy forces since it can help cover up these weak spots. Tausret and Seti actually start with improved diplomatic relations with one another, which instantly makes them powerful right from the get-go, but it's never a bad idea to get along with others no matter what leader is picked.

1 Avoid Expanding Too Quickly

By far the biggest mistake that many players will make, especially those who are newer to the series, is trying to expand their territory as quickly as possible. The truth is, building up a new territory will lead to a massive happiness penalty that can quickly spiral out of control if the player doesn't take action. One of the best ways to gain more Gratitude and Influence is by maintaining a high level of happiness among citizens, so it's extremely important to try and keep this in check.

The best way to get around the happiness penalty is by repairing and constructing any buildings or Monuments that generate more happiness once the new area of the map has been taken over. It's also just good to get into the habit of waiting a little bit after taking another territory to ensure things don't get out of hand too quickly.

Total War: Pharaoh

Platform(s)

PC

Released

October 11, 2023

Developer(s)

Creative Assembly

Genre(s)

Turn-Based Strategy , Tactical , Grand Strategy