Ironline Command: the opening five minutes decide everything

Most of my early losses in Ironline Command came from the same mistake: expanding too fast. The map tempts you to grab territory, but every outpost you can't defend is just a gift to the AI.

My advice is to spend the first few minutes locking down a tight, defensible core. Secure one strong resource node, build your supply line short, and resist the urge to spread. A compact base is far easier to hold than a scattered empire.

Once your economy is stable, scout before you expand. The AI telegraphs its pushes if you watch the map edges, and reacting to that is cheaper than guessing. I like to keep a small reserve force that can respond anywhere rather than committing everything forward.

The late game is about trading efficiently. You won't out-produce a well-played opponent, so win the fights that matter and let the bad ones go. Patience beats aggression here almost every time.