Beginning a new game like Evony presents a landscape of strategic decisions, resource management, and combat mechanics that can initially overwhelm. This guide focuses on establishing a strong foundation, prioritizing early-game actions, and understanding the core systems that drive progression. Effective play from the outset means making informed choices about city development, troop training, and resource allocation to ensure sustainable growth and competitive standing. For those looking to accelerate their growth and gain protection, joining an alliance is often a key early step.
Initial City Establishment and Civilization Choice
Upon starting Evony, your first critical decision involves selecting a civilization. Each offers a unique starting general and specific buffs that influence early gameplay. While no single choice guarantees victory, some provide more immediate advantages for new players focused on rapid development.
- Europe: Offers a construction speed bonus and a mounted troop attack bonus. This is beneficial for faster building upgrades and a strong cavalry focus.
- America: Provides a resource gathering speed bonus and a ranged troop HP bonus. Ideal for players who prioritize resource collection and a defensive ranged army.
- China: Delivers a resource production bonus and a ground troop HP bonus. A solid choice for sustained resource income and resilient ground forces.
- Japan: Features a troop training speed bonus and a siege machine attack bonus. Useful for quickly building up armies and effective siege operations.
- Korea: Grants a research speed bonus and an archer attack bonus. Excellent for accelerating technological advancements and powerful archer armies.
- Russia: Offers a resource gathering speed bonus and a mounted troop defense bonus. Similar to America for resource gathering, with added cavalry defense.
- Arabia: Provides a troop training speed bonus and a mounted troop attack bonus. Combines rapid troop production with offensive cavalry power.
Recommendation: For beginners, civilizations like Europe (construction speed) or China (resource production) often provide a smoother start by accelerating core city development or ensuring a stable resource flow. The initial general you receive from your chosen civilization will also influence your early combat strategy.
Essential Early Building Prioritization
Efficient city building is the backbone of progress in Evony. Rather than constructing every available building immediately, focus on those that unlock critical functions or boost your economy and military capabilities. Your Keep level dictates the maximum level for most other buildings, making it a primary upgrade target.
Resource Production and Storage
Prioritize constructing and upgrading Farms, Sawmills, Quarries, and Mines. These generate the fundamental resources (Food, Wood, Stone, Ore) required for all other activities. Simultaneously, build and upgrade Warehouses to protect a portion of these resources from enemy raids.
Military Infrastructure
Build one of each troop training facility: Barracks (ground troops), Archery Range (ranged troops), Stable (mounted troops), and Workshop (siege machines). Upgrade these concurrently with your Keep to unlock higher-tier troops. The Rally Spot and Walls are also critical for defense, allowing you to organize attacks and protect your city.
Research and Development
The Academy is vital for unlocking technological advancements. Focus early research on 'Development' technologies to boost resource production, gathering speed, and construction speed. Later, shift to 'Military' technologies to enhance troop stats.
Support Buildings
Construct a Hospital to heal wounded troops, reducing the need for costly retraining. The Market facilitates resource trading, which can be crucial for balancing your economy.
Understanding Generals and Troop Types
Generals are central to Evony's combat and development. Each general possesses unique skills and specialties. Assigning the right general to the right task is crucial.
General Roles
- Attack Generals: Lead armies into combat against monsters, barbarian camps, or other players. Their leadership, attack, and defense stats are paramount.
- Defense Generals: Are assigned to your city wall to boost defensive capabilities during attacks.
- Gathering Generals: Have skills that increase resource gathering speed.
- Subordinate City Generals: Govern subordinate cities, providing buffs to resource production or troop training.
Troop Composition
Evony features four primary troop types, each with strengths and weaknesses:
- Ground Troops: High HP and defense, effective against mounted troops.
- Ranged Troops: High attack, vulnerable to mounted troops, effective against ground troops.
- Mounted Troops: High speed and attack, effective against ranged troops, vulnerable to ground troops.
- Siege Machines: Slow but powerful against city walls and traps.
A balanced army composition is generally more effective than relying on a single troop type. As a beginner, focus on training a mix of ground, ranged, and mounted troops to handle various PVE challenges.
Pro Tip for New Players: Join an active alliance as early as possible. Alliances provide critical benefits, including construction and research speed boosts, protection from early attacks (via alliance bubbles), and access to alliance-specific events and resources. Many alliances also offer guidance and support, which is invaluable for learning the game's nuances.
Early Game Combat and Exploration
Initially, focus on Player vs. Environment (PVE) combat. Attack monsters on the world map and clear barbarian camps. These activities yield experience for your generals, resources, and valuable items. Avoid Player vs. Player (PVP) combat until you have a strong understanding of troop counters, a well-developed city, and a robust alliance for support.
Scouting and Resource Tiles
Before attacking any target, always scout it to determine its strength and composition. This prevents unnecessary troop losses. Send generals to gather resources from tiles on the world map to supplement your city's production, especially for resources you are short on.
Sustained Growth and Strategic Progression
Consistent activity is key. Log in daily to complete quests, collect free resources, and manage your city. Participate in events that offer accelerated rewards for specific activities. As your Keep level increases, unlock and develop subordinate cities; these provide significant boosts to your overall power and resource generation.
Focus on a long-term strategy. Decide whether you want to specialize in PVE, PVP, or a balanced approach. This will guide your general development, research priorities, and troop training. Remember that Evony is a marathon, not a sprint; consistent, thoughtful progression yields the best results.
Moving Beyond the Basics
Once you have a solid understanding of city management, resource flow, and basic combat, begin exploring more advanced mechanics. This includes refining your general's equipment, understanding talent trees, mastering advanced troop formations, and participating in alliance wars. The foundational knowledge built in the early game provides the necessary platform for these complex strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most important resource in Evony?
All five primary resources (Food, Wood, Stone, Ore, Gold) are essential and interdependent for continuous growth. However, Gold often becomes a bottleneck for higher-level upgrades and research, making its consistent acquisition critical.
Should I spend real money in Evony as a beginner?
Spending real money is not required to progress, but it can accelerate development significantly. Beginners should focus on understanding game mechanics before considering purchases. If you choose to spend, prioritize packages that offer permanent buffs or high-value items like gems and advanced general scrolls.
How do I protect my city from attacks?
To protect your city, join an alliance for alliance protection bubbles, keep your walls upgraded, train defensive generals, and maintain a strong defensive army. Always ensure your hospital capacity can accommodate potential casualties, and use a "peace shield" item if you plan to be offline for extended periods or anticipate an attack.
