Posted on by Benjamin Robinson

Terra Invicta Strategy: Secure a Powerful Nation for Victory (Step 1: National Domination Guide)

How to Conquer an Alien Invasion: A 10-Step Guide – Step 1: Establish a National Powerhouse

Welcome back, Commander! In our previous installment, we laid the groundwork for success in Terra Invicta by assembling a crack team of councilors. Now, it’s time to solidify our position on the global stage. Our next objective: seizing control of a powerful nation to fuel our war against the alien threat.

Evaluating a Nation’s Potential

Before mobilizing our forces, we need to identify a nation ripe for growth. Clicking on any nation on the map reveals its vital statistics in the left-hand pane. Let’s break down this information for optimal decision-making.

Image of Nation Information Pane

  • Red Box: Your monthly rewards from controlling this nation.
  • Green Box: The factors contributing to your rewards.
  • Blue Boxes: How to manipulate these factors for greater gains.

The top blue box displays the nation’s monthly Investment Points (IP). These points are your lifeblood, Commander, used to fuel growth in the fields listed in the bottom blue box. Each point invested contributes to a "tick" in that field, gradually increasing its value (reflected in the green box). Higher IP translates to faster development, making it a critical factor in assessing a nation’s potential.

Consider the starting IP of powerhouses like China (25.8) or the USA (18.7). These nations can leverage their IP for rapid advancement.

Economy: The Engine of Growth

A nation’s GDP determines its IP. Investing in Economy increases GDP per capita, which in turn boosts overall GDP relative to population size. This is where populous nations like China and India truly shine. Their massive populations amplify the impact of each IP invested in Economy, leading to significantly faster growth compared to less populous nations.

While focusing on Economy is crucial, remember that change is gradual. Don’t expect overnight miracles. Consistent investment over time will yield the most dramatic results.

Image comparing India’s GDP in 2022 and 2031

This comparison highlights the long-term benefits of a steady investment in Economy. While it takes time, the payoff is undeniable.

Beyond Economy: While this guide focuses on Economy as a primary driver, remember to explore the impact of other investment fields by hovering over their descriptions in-game.

Key Takeaways: When evaluating a nation, prioritize those with high IP and large populations for maximum growth potential.

The Big Four: Global Powerhouses

Four nations stand out as ideal candidates for establishing your dominance:

1. France/European Union (EU)

Image of the European Union

Advantages:

  • Scalability: Begin with France and gradually incorporate other EU nations as your Control Point (CP) cap expands.
  • Research Powerhouse: Western European nations boast high starting research values. Controlling the EU grants a significant research advantage.
  • Clear Expansion Path: Expand your control throughout the EU, utilizing Public Campaigns to influence and eventually unify target nations.
  • Mission Control Efficiency: The EU’s numerous territories allow for extensive Earth-based Mission Control infrastructure.

Disadvantages:

  • Unification Cooldown: Unifying nations takes time, leaving them vulnerable to enemy influence.
  • Diplomatic Backlash: Annexing EU nations will antagonize other factions, making you a target.
  • High Mission Control Investment: Maintaining control over numerous small nations requires significant councilor actions.

2. United States of America (USA)

Image of the United States

Advantages:

  • Military Superiority: The USA starts with a formidable military (Miltech 4.5), offering a significant edge in early game conflicts.
  • Reduced Councilor Actions: A strong military allows for direct invasion, saving valuable councilor time.
  • High Research Output: Benefits from a substantial monthly research income.

Disadvantages:

  • High CP Cost: Maintaining control over the USA can strain your early game CP resources.
  • Limited Growth Potential: Unifying with other North American nations is a costly and lengthy process.

3. India

Image of India

Advantages:

  • Massive Growth Potential: A large population and competitive IP make India a powerhouse in the making.
  • High Research Output: Starts with a respectable monthly research income.
  • Nuclear Deterrent: Possesses enough nuclear weapons to discourage early aggression from other major nations.
  • Unique CP Bonus: India’s third CP grants a significant public opinion bonus, making it incredibly difficult for other factions to usurp control.

Disadvantages:

  • Challenging Control Point Acquisition: Requires careful maneuvering and investment to secure control points within India.
  • Rivalry with China: Controlling India can hinder your efforts to expand your influence in China.
  • Military Weakness: Requires significant investment to bring its military on par with the USA or EU.

4. China

Image of China

Advantages:

  • Exceptional Growth: Boasts the highest IP among the Big Four, allowing for rapid development.
  • Secure Control: Once you control China, it’s incredibly challenging for other factions to wrestle it away.
  • High Research Output: Starts with a strong research base.

Disadvantages:

  • Extremely Difficult Initial Control: Securing China early game requires a combination of skill and luck.
  • Numerous Rivals: China’s many rivals can hinder future expansion efforts.
  • Military Weakness: Like India, China requires significant investment to bolster its military.

Don’t Overlook the Little Guys

While the Big Four offer the most potential, several smaller nations are worth your attention:

  • Kazakhstan: Image of Kazakhstan Provides a fantastic early-game boost and is relatively easy to control. Prioritize Boost, Economy, Welfare, and Unity investments.

  • Singapore: Image of Singapore Boasts the highest GDP per capita, making it ideal for Spoils. However, its small population limits long-term growth.

  • Saudi Arabia: Image of Saudi Arabia Another prime Spoils target, Saudi Arabia also offers mid-game unification potential with the Caliphate, granting extensive claims in the Middle East and Africa.

  • Argentina and Chile: Image of Argentina and Chile Solid choices for Spoils, but lack significant unification prospects until later in the game.

Nations to Approach with Caution:

  • Russia: Image of Russia While tempting due to its nuclear arsenal, Russia’s weak economy and potential for attracting unwanted attention make it a risky investment.

The Power of Spoils

"Spoils" might sound unethical, but it’s a valuable tool for accelerating your progress. By investing in Spoils in nations like Singapore, you can generate significant income to fuel your other projects. Remember, every faction utilizes this tactic, so don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty!

Mastering Control: Factors and Strategies

The in-game Codex is your best friend, Commander! It provides detailed information on every mission, including Control Nation.

Image of Control Nation Codex Entry

The Codex highlights factors influencing mission success. For example, larger economies are harder to control, while having CP in neighboring nations improves your odds.

Example: Conquering India

Image of Jeevani’s Control Nation Chance in India

Jeevani, our trusty councilor from the previous guide, faces a daunting 5% chance of controlling India directly. However, by strategically securing neighboring nations…

Image of Jeevani’s Improved Control Nation Chance

…and investing Influence Points (INF)…

Image of Jeevani’s Final Control Nation Chance

…we dramatically increase our odds of success.

Tailoring National Priorities

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to managing your nations. While Economy and Knowledge are generally sound long-term investments, adapt your priorities based on your chosen nation and overall strategy.

Image of EU Investment Priorities

Image of Hungary Investment Priorities

Image of Southern Balkan States Investment Priorities

These examples demonstrate how priorities can shift based on a nation’s role within your global strategy.

A Final Word

Remember, Commander, there’s no single "right" way to play Terra Invicta. Experiment, adapt, and most importantly, learn from your experiences. The fate of humanity rests on your shoulders!

How to Conquer an Alien Invasion: A 10-Step Guide

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