Emperor Edition is the free September 2014 overhaul that rebuilt ROME II's politics, building chains and campaign AI after a rough 2013 launch. It ships the Grand Campaign across 57 provinces stretching from Britannia and Hispania to Bactria, plus the Imperator Augustus campaign covering the Second Triumvirate's civil war. Turn-based empire management feeds into real-time battles of thousands of men, and these are the rules everyone still plays under.
Total War: ROME II - Emperor Edition features distinct areas with increasing difficulty. This guide covers every major location in progression order: what to do, what to get, and when to move on. For the step-by-step path, see our walkthrough.
Area Progression Order
| Order | Location | Difficulty | Key Rewards | Recommended Build |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Italia | Turns 1 to 30 | Provincial edicts, Roman recruitment chains, stable public order | Carthage |
| 2 | Magna Graecia | Turns 5 to 40 | Ports, Greek building chains, a Sicilian staging ground | Carthage |
| 3 | Africa | Turns 30 to 80 | Carthago, African trade income, elephant recruitment | Rome |
| 4 | Aegyptus | Turns 60 onward | Alexandria, large food surplus, grain trade | Rome |
| 5 | Britannia | Turns 90 onward | Victory condition regions, tin trade, Iceni chariot territory | Rome |
Italia: Starting Area
Rome's home province and the richest early economy available. Securing it alongside Magna Graecia before turn 30 is the standard Roman opening because it removes every land threat behind you.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Turns 1 to 30 |
| Key Rewards | Provincial edicts, Roman recruitment chains, stable public order |
| Recommended Build | Carthage |
| Key Equipment | Pike phalanx |
What to Do Here
- Learn the basics of Province and region system. This is where you practice without heavy punishment.
- Collect starting resources and your first equipment upgrade.
- Clear all main content before moving to Magna Graecia.
- If you're struggling, read our beginner's guide.
Magna Graecia: Early Game
Southern Italy and its Greek colonies, contested between Rome, Syracuse and Carthage. Holding it also puts Sicily and the first naval war within reach.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Turns 5 to 40 |
| Key Rewards | Ports, Greek building chains, a Sicilian staging ground |
| Recommended Build | Carthage |
| Key Equipment | Pike phalanx |
What to Do Here
- Focus on mastering Public order and food. It's critical from this point on.
- Farm for Pike phalanx if you don't have it yet.
- Complete all objectives for maximum rewards.
- Prepare for the difficulty spike in Africa.
Africa: Mid Game
Carthage's home province and the objective that ends the Punic wars. Taking Carthago itself removes the strongest early naval power and hands you a first-rate trade port.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Turns 30 to 80 |
| Key Rewards | Carthago, African trade income, elephant recruitment |
| Recommended Build | Rome |
| Key Equipment | Pike phalanx |
What to Do Here
- This is the main skill check. Bring an optimized build.
- Legionary Cohorts becomes accessible here. Prioritize getting it.
- Master Army traditions and generals for the boss encounters.
- Check our boss guide if you get stuck.
Aegyptus: Late Game
The Nile provinces, the largest food output on the map and Alexandria's trade income. Whoever holds Egypt can feed a far larger army than their territory suggests.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Turns 60 onward |
| Key Rewards | Alexandria, large food surplus, grain trade |
| Recommended Build | Rome |
| Key Equipment | Legionary Cohorts |
What to Do Here
- Full build optimization is expected by this point.
- Legionary Cohorts should be your primary, fully upgraded.
- Combined land and naval battles mastery starts mattering here.
- Farm resources for the push into Britannia.
Britannia: Endgame
Cold, poor and far from the capital, defended by the Iceni and their chariots. It is a prestige conquest rather than an economic one, and holding it costs garrisons you would rather spend elsewhere.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Turns 90 onward |
| Key Rewards | Victory condition regions, tin trade, Iceni chariot territory |
| Recommended Build | Rome |
| Key Equipment | Legionary Cohorts |
What to Do Here
- This is endgame. Best-in-slot gear and a perfected build are mandatory.
- See our boss guide for endgame fight strategies.
- The reward loop: clear content → upgrade → push harder content.
- Experiment with Parthia for variety once you've mastered the meta.
Exploration Tips
- Clear areas in order: Italia → Magna Graecia → Africa → Aegyptus → Britannia. Skipping areas means missing resources you'll need later.
- Check every corner: Hidden caches and secrets are often in non-obvious locations.
- Match your equipment: Some areas favor different equipment types.
- Read the walkthrough: Our walkthrough provides exact progression milestones for each area.
- Don't rush: Clearing an area fully gives more resources than speedrunning two areas.
More Total War: ROME II - Emperor Edition Guides
- Total War: ROME II - Emperor Edition Total War: ROME II - Emperor Edition Overview
- Total War: ROME II - Emperor Edition Best Builds
- Total War: ROME II - Emperor Edition Tier List
- Total War: ROME II - Emperor Edition Walkthrough
- Total War: ROME II - Emperor Edition Beginner's Guide
- Total War: ROME II - Emperor Edition Tips & Tricks
- Total War: ROME II - Emperor Edition Weapons Guide
- Total War: ROME II - Emperor Edition Combat Guide
- Total War: ROME II - Emperor Edition Boss Guide
- Total War: ROME II - Emperor Edition Crafting Guide
- Total War: ROME II - Emperor Edition Classes & Characters
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