Early Game Army Compositions

Struggling with early game armies in Humankind? Learn how to build effective early compositions and avoid costly mistakes to dominate the competition from the start.

Alright, let's talk about getting your army rolling in Humankind, especially when you're just starting out. The early game can feel a bit rough because the AI gets some pretty sweet bonuses, but don't sweat it! We'll get you set up so you can handle yourself.

First off, the AI gets some serious boosts on higher difficulties: extra Food, Industry, Money, Science, Stability, and Combat Strength. That +2 Combat Strength on their units is no joke early on – it's like they've got their own special units from day one. So, the golden rule here is: avoid fighting early wars. Seriously, try to hold off until at least the Classical era, and usually, it's safer to wait until the Medieval era.

Your main focus early on should be on building up your economy and infrastructure. Think about grabbing cultures that help with that, like Agrarian or Builder cultures. These will let you expand your cities and resource production, which is key to scaling into the late game. The AI's FIMS (Food, Industry, Money, Science) bonuses are flat, meaning they don't get *much* better as their cities grow, while your percentage-based gains will eventually outpace them. So, playing wide (more cities) is generally better than playing tall (fewer, bigger cities) for this reason.

Pro Tip: To help offset that stability penalty the AI gives you, make sure you're actively trading for luxury resources. These are your best friends for keeping your cities happy and productive.

So, to recap the early game strategy:

• Don't fight wars too early. Wait until you're more established.
• Focus on trade, especially for luxury resources.
• Pick cultures that boost your economy (like Agrarian or Builder).
• Expand wide to maximize your FIMS gains as the game progresses.
• Aim to win by getting the most stars/fame.

Stick to this plan, and you'll be in a much better position to outpace the AI and secure victory!