u/J_P_Amboss

Hallo everybody. I have noticed in my pvp games as well as here in this sub, that some players dont have a clear understanding of a General game-plan.

Of course there isnt a cookie-cutter method, because every map, faction and hero demands something else and different strategies are valid. However, i think if you accept some simplifications, the following rules are valid on most maps (early TPs refering mostly to single hero mode)

• Round one: recruit once depending on hero and starting units. If you start with a hero that has a lot of range units, like Falcon for Temple, u can even get the upgrade round one. U can also TP to the second town, if the map has one and recruit there as well. However, in most scenarios i think u should consider at least one economy building if u have 2 towns. Certain heroes like Deathknight specialist dont necessary need recruitment turn 1. Another but more optional thing to look for are opportunities to get 2 knowledge for money, its a specific building. This will help u to use your movement spells more but dont go out of your way to get them. Pick them up if they are close to the road.
• economically focus on getting the second tier Main-building and a Bank in both towns and try to find sawmill and ore mines while your hero is scouting for the third town. Always visit watchtowers. The map Layout usually helps guessing where it is. Dont get distracted by litte stuff too much at this state, pick only whats close to the road. Once you find town three, absolutly only use that town for economy at first.
• once thats done and you ideally found the next town, u try to get as many unit dwellings ready for week 2 as u can and ideally the fortifications Nr. 2 for unit growth. Check your priorities here. If you are on a tournament map, for example, it might be more important to get your T5 unit with 1.5x growth than having a T4 unit at all, for example, especially if thats your hero's specialisation.
• (Edit: Since many have pointed it out in the comments i want to make it clear: The amount of economy you need AND your ability to even get to +50% growth with 2nd tier fortifications will depend heavily on how bountiful the map is and if you are lucky enough to find mines early. Especially ore is in high demand early so keep an eye out for that. Again, this is a general guideline, dont think you did something wrong if you couldnt get everything you wished for in week 1)
• After you found your third town, you want to check for the goldmines. Depending on the map there should be some near your towns which you want before week 2 or early in week 2. TP back from town three, get some units and start looking. This is where you should be able to clear SOME structures pretty easily, but stay away from tougher ones, like the dark tower. You can consider a mage guild before you look for the mines. I find it very easy to get distracted at this stage, try to Grind effectively, choose stuff you actually need, fight with minimal loses and choose your targets wise (no dark tower week 1 for example).
• After the first week you can build your powerstack. Meaning you often dont want to spend every penny on units now, just the ones who are best and you buffed with skills and laws (=powerstack). You can now kill more stuff but that doesnt mean you should run around and kill random stuff. Instead, at the start of week 1 you TP to a town, build only what you need there and THEN collect/kill some stuff nearby, choose what you can get with the remaining Movementvalue of the day+ the next. Then you repeat that with town 2. (if you dont have TP , you need to time building economy and units with the day your heroes can pick up stuff). Whether you prioritize units or economy at that stage depends on the Format, in tourney it might be worth it to skip buildings entirely for a round, but u should be able to get good Stack of units now in either case, if you werent very unlucky with the gold (this point in time is also why you should choose Gold in chests after the second chest.). After your hero leaves, definitly focus on upgrading the Mainbuilding and the Bank, (if you arent very conciously getting a certain upgrade for a tournament round 1)
• Now is a crucial point because now it is easy to fall into the trap of just killing random stuff. Instead, take a good hard look at your economy and Plan ahead which ressources you will need this week. If you see a lot of that useful ressources get it, if its not totally far off because you dont want to waste time.
• the next priority is breakthrough into the next zone. I have played some games where i or the enemy actually never did that but a good Player with the right tools in the spellbook (or a weak guard to the next zone) will do that early on week two and accept some losses because it often pays of (dont attempt that if the first tournament round is coming up the net day, of course). I think its fine if you get there by the third week if thats safer but you should absolutly prioritize the breakthrough because in many maps it gives you a third town of your own faction and a more rewarding area to Grind.
• So once you have town 4, you can TP back to collect units and then TP to the fresh zone to look for legendaries.

Good luck, heroes, and feel free to correct me!!

I'll start in the comments