This took me a lot of time and effort and at least 3 attempts and only a MINOR VICTORY on the 4th.
The initial difficulty states its hard - that's a lie, its extremely hard.
On all three attempts by year 405ish The Sassanid Empire, Both Roman Empires and their tributaries had all declared war on little old me, as well as most of the nations that live in modern France and Germany. By late game the Viking and Celts from Britain have declared war but they were never any threat as they stayed primarily on their islands, fortunately fighting each other.
I never had a good income, at best maybe 3000 per turn, and a max of 5 armies at my 'peak'.
All I can do is suggest recommendations for an easier play from my experiences for the MINOR victory conditions.
- SAVE OFTEN
- Run to the Steppes ASAP, keeping your forces close together for support in case of attack. ALWAYS ENCAMP AT END OF TURN WHENEVER POSSIBLE.
- Have your forces in raid stance and aim to get as much of the income condition as possible. Get the rest in later game.
- Avoid wars, TRY and arrange non-aggression pacts or even alliances along the way. (yes raiding will hinder this)
- Once in the Steppes encamp and begin building construction. As far as food production the Goat and cattle herders are the best and both are the minimum for all armies. Goats for highest food and cattle with the unit bonus. By late game I created a new army which focused on food production with 3 goats and 1 cattle.
Build champion, spy and priest buildings!
Choose which ever military unit focus you like, I had at least 2 armies with two different military buildings.
Yurt builders are extremely important and beneficial with a focus on horde growth so you can rapidly expand your armies quickly. Metal workers and the carpenters yurt are also very helpful, especially with the fletching bonus for archer based units. These building are great for a highly mobile army of horse archers and melee horses.
You will soon find that your income to be very important, community buildings are your next best option to raise income.
- Expect to lose armies. It sucks big time, especially when it costs a lot of growth to raise new ones so plan carefully and back up armies.
Throughout the game I always had 2 armies together, yes there is a penalty with hordes so close but I think its better to keep the armies alive. My focus was with all my armies having at least some melee infantry and lots of horse based units...It is the Huns after all. I used the melee units as cannon fodder to draw enemies and then use horse archers to pummel them and equipment users in sieges to at least try open gates.
- When I was strong enough and could support everything I slowly moved east, south east then headed back westward. I razed every building i came across, subjugating never worked for me as they eventually declared war on me again. I tried to only be at war with 1 nation at a time and once they were destroyed started on the next.
- Have plenty of spies, champions and priests for your attacking. initially send them forth first, then when they have leveled to the ability to assassinate enemy agents use them as a recon in front of your armies and to kill agents. In mid to late game enemy agents with constantly harass your armies and aim to kill generals.
- Dont bother leaving the mainland.
- During winter i raised my taxes to max, This gave me a large boost in income to counter the lack of it via food sources, as well as being able to afford the research tech that costs money. If I didnt I would never have been able to afford those techs.
The other seasons would allow me to recover any integrity I might have lost in winter, but my generals usually had enough integrity gains to make it a non issue.