Travian is set in classical antiquity. Each player starts the game as the leader of a small, undeveloped village, surrounded by undeveloped resource fields. The player can develop these mines to increase their resource output. The village can be developed by constructing new buildings and upgrading existing ones. Recruiting military units allows players to attack other villages to plunder its resources, and defend from enemy attacks. Villages may trade their resources with other villages if both villages have a marketplace. The player may expand their realm by founding new villages, or by conquering other players' villages. Players can communicate with each other using in-game messages, and may join alliances for military and economic co-operation with other players.
Starting a game
Players must register on the Travian website to start a game, providing an e-mail address, and creating a username and a password. The player chooses a tribe to start the game with, and may also choose in which quadrant of the map their initial village should spawn.
Players must also select a World, commonly known as a server, to play in. Entities in one World can only interact with other entities in the same World. Events that take place in one World do not affect other Worlds. Players may create accounts in multiple Worlds, but creating more than one account in the same World is prohibited by the rules. Worlds close for new players after a certain number of players have signed up.
You can choose between three tribes in Travian: Romans, Gauls and Teutons. Each tribe has advantages and disadvantages and their troops are also very different. It is important to choose the tribe that fits you perfectly.
The Roman
The Roman Empire is the tribe in Travian which is most easily played by beginners. Because of its high level of social and technological development the Romans are masters at building and its coordination. Also, their troops are part of the elite in Travian.
They are very balanced and useful in attacking and defending. To guarantee this variety the Roman troops are trained for a very long time and their training is expensive. Their infantry is a living legend, but their defence against enemy cavalry isn't as good as that of the other tribes.
For beginners and those players who don't know exactly what they want to play, the Romans are the ideal choice.
The specialties
* Can raise or extend a building and resource field simultaneously
* The City Wall gives a high defence bonus
* Merchants can carry 500 units of resources (speed: 16 fields/hour)
* Very powerful infantry, average cavalry
* Development is expensive and takes a long time.
The Gauls
The Gauls are the most peaceful of all three tribes in Travian. Their troops are trained for an excellent defence, but their ability to attack can still compete with the other two tribes. The Gauls are born riders and their horses are famous for their speed. This means that their riders can hit the enemy exactly where they can cause the most damage and swiftly take care of them.
This tribe is very easy to defend, but an aggressive tactic is possible too. This gives you the opportunity to develop into any possible strategic direction (defensive or aggressive, lone wolf or reliable helper, merchant or plunderer, infantry or cavalry, settler or conqueror), but you need a bit of experience and talent. Nevertheless, also a tribe for beginners!
he specialties
* Speed bonus: Fastest troops in the game
* The palisade gives an average defence bonus
* Merchants can carry 750 units of resources (speed: 24 fields/hour)
* Cranny is twice as big
* Expensive siege weapons
* Cheap settlers/li>
The Teuton
The Teutons are the most aggressive tribe. Their troops are notorious and feared for their rage and frenzy when they attack. They move around as a plundering horde, not even afraid of death.
However, they lack the military discipline of the Gauls or Romans which causes them to be weak in speed and defence. For aggressive and experienced players the Teutons are an excellent choice!
The specialties
* Plunder bonus: enemy crannies only hides 66% of the normal amount in Travian version 2.5 and 3, and 80% of the normal amount in Travian version 3.5.
* The earth wall is almost indestructible but only gives a minimal defence bonus
* Merchants can carry 1000 units of resources (speed: 12 fields/hour)
* Cheap, fast troops which are excellent plunderers
* Weak defence
