The Ultimate Guide to Grepolis: Master Strategy, Build an Empire, and Conquer the Ancient World

Introduction

Grepolis is more than just a browser game; it is a test of patience, strategy, and diplomatic skill. Developed by InnoGames, this free-to-play MMO strategy game transports players to the age of Ancient Greece. Tasked with ruling a small, underdeveloped city, your ultimate goal is to build a mighty empire, befriend or betray other players, and dominate the ever-expanding game world.

Whether you are a farmer, a conqueror, or a diplomatic mastermind, Grepolis offers a deep and rewarding experience. This guide will provide you with the foundational knowledge and advanced strategies needed to thrive.

Chapter 1: Getting Started – The First 48 Hours

The beginning of any Grepolis world is critical. The players who grow efficiently in the first week often dominate in the late game.

1.1 Resource Management (The Three Pillars)

Your city runs on three resources:

Wood: Used for almost every building and ship. Priority #1.
Stone: Essential for upgrading buildings past level 10.
Silver: Used for recruiting troops and maintaining your army.

Pro Tip: In the beginning, keep your resource production balanced, but always favor wood until your quarry is leveled up.

1.2 The Ideal Building Order

To avoid wasting time, follow this rough build order for your main city:

Senate: Keeps upgrading constantly.
Warehouse: Upgrade to Level 4-5 to store resources safely.
Farm: Level up to support a growing population.
Timber Camp: Boost your primary resource.
Barracks: Start training a few Swordsmen for defense.

Chapter 2: Choosing Your Path – Civilians and Gods

Grepolis offers four distinct civilizations and eight gods, each catering to a different playstyle.

2.1 Which Civilization is Best?

Civilization	Bonus	Best For
Greeks	Faster building speed.	Beginners and builders.
Egyptians	Increased resource production (especially wood/stone).	Farmers and economic players.
Persians	Stronger defensive units.	Turtle defenders.
Scythians	Faster mounted units.	Aggressive rushers and attackers.

2.2 Choosing Your God

Once you build an Acropolis and a Temple, you must choose a god. Your choice dictates your mythical units and divine powers.

Zeus: Best for offensive players (Lightning Bolt, Manticore).
Poseidon: Best for naval dominance (Hippocampus, Tsunami).
Hades: Best for defensive players (Cerberus, Earthquake).
Athena: Best for support and protection (Guardian, Wisdom).
Ares: Best for brute force land armies (Minotaur, Ares’ Favor).
Hermes: Best for speed and espionage (Pegasus, Call of the Wild).
Artemis: Best for ranger units and anti-mythical (Calydonian Boar).
Hephaestus: Best for defensive siege (Cyclops, Bronze Skin).

Chapter 3: Combat Mechanics – How to Win Fights

Combat in Grepolis is not about sending the biggest army; it is about sending the right army.

3.1 The Trinity of Damage

There are three types of attack and defense values:

Blunt: Effective against Sharp defense. (Hoplites, Horses)
Sharp: Effective against Ranged defense. (Swordsmen, Archers)
Ranged: Effective against Blunt defense. (Slingers, Archers)

The Counter System:

Hoplites (Blunt) beat Swordsmen (Sharp) .
Slingers (Ranged) beat Hoplites (Blunt) .
Swordsmen (Sharp) beat Slingers (Ranged) .

3.2 Land Units Overview

Hoplites: The standard infantry. Good all-rounders.
Slingers: High damage against Blunt defense. Essential for taking cities.
Horsemen: Fast and strong against archers.
Chariots: Heavy hitter but expensive.

Chapter 4: Expansion – How to Get New Cities

You cannot win Grepolis with just one city. To grow your empire, you must either found new cities or conquer them from others.

4.1 Founding a City

To found a city, you need a Colony Ship (CS) . You must research it in the Harbor (Level 5+) and build it. Once sent to a suitable empty island spot, it will create a new level 1 city.

4.2 Conquest vs. Revolt

There are two main world settings for taking over enemy cities:

1. Conquest World:

You send a CS with a fleet to an enemy city.
You must win a naval battle and then land the CS.
You then have a limited time (usually 2-12 hours) to reduce the city’s morale to 0 by attacking it on land.
Once morale hits 0, the city is yours.

2. Revolt World:

You must attack the enemy city and trigger a “revolt.”
The revolt lasts for 12 hours.
You must land a CS during that 12-hour window while keeping the city in revolt.
This is harder because defenders can break the siege by defeating your navy.

Chapter 5: Strategy & Tips for Advanced Players

Once the basics are handled, the game becomes about efficiency.

5.1 The “Nuke” City

As you grow, you should specialize your cities.

The Nuke: A city dedicated purely to offense. It has a high-level Barracks, a population full of offensive units (Hoplites, Slingers, Horsemen), and very little defense.
The Defense City: A city with walls, towers, and defensive troops (Archers, Swordsmen) designed to protect your core.

5.2 Farming & Inactivity

To keep your army large, you need resources. “Farming” refers to attacking inactive or low-level players to steal their resources. Always have your troops farming when they aren’t fighting.

5.3 Communication is Key

Grepolis is a multiplayer game. Join an active alliance. Use the in-game messages and forums to coordinate attacks.

Timing: Synchronizing your attacks so they land at the exact same second (a “timing”) can overwhelm a defender who cannot block them all.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Is Grepolis completely free to play?
Yes, Grepolis is free. However, it offers a premium currency (Gold) that can speed up building or buy resources. Skilled free-to-play players can definitely compete, but it requires more patience.

Q2: What is the best unit in the game?
There is no single “best” unit because of the rock-paper-scissors combat system. However, Slingers are often considered the best offensive unit due to their high damage, and Horsemen are the best for fast attacks and farming.

Q3: How do I get more Culture Points?
Culture Points are earned by building certain buildings (Temple, Theater, Thermal Baths) and by completing research in the Academy. They are required to found or conquer new cities.

Q4: What happens if my city is conquered?
If your last city is conquered, you are eliminated from that world. However, you usually have a “ghost mode” or can restart. If you have multiple cities, you just lose that one city.

Q5: How can I defend against a Colony Ship?
To defend against a CS, you must destroy the naval transport fleet before it lands. Build a strong navy (Biremes are best for defense) and keep them in your harbor.

Conclusion

Grepolis is a game of patience, planning, and people. While the mechanics of resource gathering and unit recruitment are important, the soul of the game lies in the alliances you build and the enemies you outsmart. Use this guide as your foundation, learn from your defeats, and never stop expanding.