1861 Challenge Conquests

Since no one made guides for challenge conquests, I'll be the one to do it. I plan to make guides for challenge conquests for countries needed to complete all the achievements, as the rewards are quite great when completed. Problem is, challenge conquests are quite difficult, especially for those entering blind,or don't know what to do.

Of course, for first timers, it's best to max out some of your generals, preferably cavalry and infantry, as they'll be the ones in the front lines. Artillery gens would be really useful, along with 1 or 2 navy gens. 

For a general guide, spam blast early, and use it to quickly take enemy cities. Use princesses, especially the one that decreases damage taken and increases damage the enemy takes. Also, f2p guide for real, as I didn't purchase anything in this game. Medkits aren't necessary as well in any of them, although using one or 2 isn't a waste. 

I also want to mention is that you should play aggressively. Only time to play defensively is when holding a major city, and even then you should have counterplay options. Don't just defend a city while waiting for the opponents to swarm you, as it's a losing strategy if you do so. If you defend, use your generals to circle around them to take other cities. Use your defense so your enemies focus on that key point, and use the lack of defenders to quickly take enemy cities. 

This guide won't be too indepth, just a rating for difficulty and a short explanation why. More in depth guide in the future. 


1861 ratings:


3 star nations

1. United States

Difficulty :  easy to medium

The capital of Britain, Canada and the confederates are close, so it's easy to capture them and destroy their generals. With some help and/or luck, France can take care of South America along with Peru. The real problem is Spain, although it should be fine. Strategy is to simply focus everything to capture the capital of the Confederates, and along with Mexico, surround enemy generals and destroy them. Once Canada enters, do the same. With 10 competent generals, it should be easy to complete, and would be the ideal nation for low turn count records.

2. Confederates 

Difficulty: easy to medium

U.S but easier to play. The real problem is France, as they would steam roll South America, and it would take a while to breakthrough once South America falls to them. But aside from that, it's not difficult. Same strategy as usual, go for the United States Capital, exploit demoralization of the enemy generals, and destroy them, or keep them in place for 3 rounds and use that time to capture enemy cities quickly.

3.Great Britain

Difficulty: easy to medium

BRITANIA RULES THE WAVES. The U. S doesn't have enough forces to stop you and the confederates from the imminent invasion. You can bribe Canada early or Mexico to delay them, but it's unnecessary. 

Overall difficulty for 3 star nations: Easy(for veterans like stoic ) and Medium(new timer following the guide).


2 star nations

1.Columbia

Difficulty : Hard

This one needs a guide on it's own. The strategy is to beat Peru, ideally turn 2. Bribe Mexico twice, bribe Canada once. After Peru falls, send the majority of your forces and just punch through Mexico. Ideally, Mexico falls by turn 10-11. Build a light cavalry and light Artillery, place generals on them, and send them to North America,along with some generals that didn't go to Mexico. Defend from France, hold South America until you beat the U. S, then send them back to South America. Quite difficult without experience. The key is resource management, and using blast to quickly take cities. It's also a nation needed to beat to get the final achievement for 1861,so good luck. 

2. Mexico

Difficulty :Medium

Reason why Mexico is medium is due to the confederate capital being quite far, which would mean they could spam some generals and units before you take it. Aside from that, like the others, aggression is key. I advise ignoring the enemy generals and going straight for confederate cities. 

3. France

Difficulty : easy to medium

Lots of units scattered around the map. Basically no economy early, but in exchange, you are given powerful units. It can seem tricky, but all you need to do is simply send your units to America, and let your units in south America take over Columbia and Venezuela.

4. Spain

Difficulty : Easy to medium

France but in the Confederates side. Same rule applies to Spain, tho you need to control the seas more using your navy. It can turn difficult with too passive play. 


5. Venezuela

Difficulty: medium-hard

Same as Columbia but a bit easier due to location. Instead of dealing with Peru, just send most of your generals through Mexico, with around 3 generals sent straight to America. Don't bother to try it as it's not necessary for achievement rewards. 

6.Canada

Difficulty : Easy

U.S cities are open, Artillery given to you early on. Probably the easiest nation to play if it weren't for France that drags the conquest on, but in the off chance your southern neighbors hold on(through bribing Mexico to enter early+donations), then it should be a quick and easy conquest.

2 star nations overall difficulty: Medium


1 star nations

1.Peru

Difficulty: hard

Columbia but 1 star and allied with the U. S.  The main battle is fought in North America, and you're in the farthest location, so tough luck. Beat your South America neighbors as fast as possible, ideally by turn 4-5,then send all your generals towards America. Bribe Mexico to enter early, and bribe Canada and Britain to join late.

2.Cuba


Difficulty: Easy-Medium

Say it with me, "Just send all your generals to America".


3. Iroquois

Difficulty: Easy-Hard

Quite the fun conquest. It can end extremely well or extremely bad, depending on how you play early. Play too passively or fail to capture cities fast, then you and your basic units get destroyed. Capture cities quickly and contain U. S, then it becomes a fun conquest.