This was an extra on the PC Gamer Demo CD I picked up...

WISE MEN SAY...

• In the very beginning of the game, you must choose which path to take by killing either peasants or Serpent Clan members. You can use your Battle Gear in this fight, despite not having an interface bar available. Just push the appropriate hotkey (B) to enable it.

In pitched battles, tie up enemy ranged units with melee units.  >

• When the outcome of a battle is unclear, use your peasants. Their presence can change the tide of battle.

• Don’t forget to use your Battle Gears — especially the trample command that troops have once they’re mounted on horses. It’s very useful when multiple enemies surround them.

• You have power in numbers; however, you must ensure that your army consists of a mix of troop types. Battles are based almost entirely on a “rock, paper, scissors” system, and Battle Realms offers six damage types (cutting, blunt, piercing, explosive, fire, and magic), with different units boasting different resistances to certain attacks. For example, Samurai take half damage from cutting attacks, but are twice as vulnerable to magic and explosive attacks. You can tell what kind of damage a unit deals out by the kind of weapon he's carrying. For instance, Spearmen have piercing attacks, while Chemists have explosive attacks. Every unit has a weakness; find that weakness and exploit it.

 <   Don’t let enemies lead you away from the Swan’s Pool.

• Prioritize your upgrades. When faced with a choice between making your units deal out more damage and giving them more health, choose the latter. More offensive power is useless if a unit is dead.

• The mission where you must defend the Swan’s Pool is tough — attacks will come from all directions. Don’t stray from the buildings you must protect; let the enemy come to you. Keep a geisha nearby for healing and use your Battle Gears every chance you get.

• The Chi Shield Battle Gear is extremely useful; the trick is figuring out when to activate it. The ideal time is when front line units are backed up by ranged units. For example, if you send in Dragon Warriors and turn on their Chi Shields, they’ll tie up any enemy units along the front lines, giving you ample time to bring in some ranged units such as Archers or Powder Keg Cannoneers to bombard the area.

A good leader will make sure that his army is diverse enough to conquer any foe.    > 

• Whenever possible, keep enemy ranged units such as Archers busy by pitting them against your melee units. During a fight, try to get at least one melee unit past enemy lines: even that one warrior will do a decent job of drawing long-range fire away from your frontlines.

• Remember that old Command & Conquer trick where you built an obelisk of light in an enemy base? You can do that in Battle Realms, too. When you have a raiding party strike an enemy town, send along a few peasants and have them build a watchtower. Then put an Archer or, better yet, a Powder Keg Cannoneer in the tower and have him rain death from above. Magical units also work well here.

 <   Always launch attacks with support from ranged attackers.

• Mount your troops every chance you get. Not only will it make them tougher, but they’ll also move faster and last longer during battles. Gathering horses and building a stable is well worth the time and effort.