Themed Playstyles

Finding the winning strategy in a game is an engaging puzzle but once solved I find I only enjoy the optimal path for so long before it starts feeling dull. For this reason, coming up with limitations that organically change what "optimized" looks like gives me more puzzles to solve and more gameplay to enjoy. If you feel the same way enjoy the following guide. I hope it inspires your creativity in game.

Whenever I'm watching a history video on youtube and find myself inspired to boot up a total war game, there is almost always a spotlight on the generals in the story that I feel isn't reflected in the base game. To help translate the richness that historical commanders had on ancient stories I have the following suggestions.

Give each general a personality, write it on a piece of paper and use it to influence your decisions in the game. The personality can simple or complex and can be based on anything you want: starting traits, historical figures, online personality quiz, someone you know, anything as long as it shakes up your current playstyle. Here are my examples to get you started.

Red, Purple, Yellow
Each general has three colors with values attached, whichever color has the highest value can be the core personality of that general.

Red: Red generals want the glory, the the prestige! Their decisions should always look heroic for the newspapers back home. (flaw: He bites off more than he can chew)
On the map: is never idle, seeks out big battles, capital cities and faction leaders when possible.
In battle: wants to slay the enemy general personally.
Recruitment: favors elite or very brave troops.

Purple: Purple generals are in it for the loot and fortune. Their decisions should net them the most money, espeically if they dont have to risk much. (flaw: Seeking his peronal wealth leaves the kingdom vulnrable to more threats)
On the map: targets vulnrable armies and unportected towns, also favors raiding.
In battle: likes ambushes but personally hangs back to intercept cavalry protecting his backline.
Recruitment: dislikes mercenaries (too costly), favors budget friendly troops if they can get the job done.

Yellow: Yellow generals are here to serve king and country! Their decisions should prioritize the saftey of the citizens and then of the soldiers under his command (flaw: Worrying about casualties makes him too cautious)
On the map: favors encamping when in enemy territory, dislikes leaving towns unguarded, and will intercept invading armies in the field to spare citizens from a horrific settlement seige.
In battle: leads from the frontline and goes where the fighting is thickest. he keeps the army together (no isolated units) and generally avoids risky plays.
Recruitment: favors heavy armor to protect his troops, also likes ranged units to fight from a safe distance.

Nepo Baby or Grizzled Veteran
It is wise that that our greatest generals are sent to fight the most dangerous threats my king, these new generals know nothing of battle... yet.
Based on the nubmer of stars a general has, alter your tactics in battle.
Zero or few stars: A single melee frontline (no reserve troops), frontal assaults (limited flanking, no ambushes)
Many stars: Feel free to use every trick in the book

Work backwards
Consider the decisions a general has to make and then create a fun personality that fits your preference.
Campaign movement: march, force march, make camp, ambush, raiding
Post battle: kill captives, relsease captives, ransom captives
Post siege: occupy, loot&occupy, sack, raze
Map level targets: prioritize enemy armies, settlments, other
Battle position: frontline, rear guard, flanking maneruver, ambush
Army tactics: defensive, aggressive, sneaky
recruitment: mercenaries, infantry, cavlary, ranged troops, unit tier/cost

Skew your building choices towards a single color or theme, either by requiring that certain building types be built in every town and/or restricting the construction of other types.

Red military buildings - A warrior society whos core identity is built on personal training to the point that every village in the kingdom could offer skilled warriors should the king call on them.

Green agriculture buildings - A nation of honest and hardy farmers, they can cultivate the land wherever they go, never shall it be said that this kingdom wants for food, even in the harshest winters the population grows, threatening their neighbors each summer, for when the fields are planted the idle farmers itch for battle.

Gray industry buildings - An industrious people whose famous ingenuity precedes them. They are more than prosperous and it is said that the king can afford to clad each peasant in suits of armor when he marches to war.

Purple religious buildings - Religious zealots worship their strange goods for incomprehensible boons, they wish to fulfill their gods bidding. They are a strange people but never to be trifled with for truly their deities are powerful, else how do they marched to war in such numbers and with such fervor?

Yellow cultural buildings (in capitals at least) - Rivaling Athens herself this nations boasts the height of culture, philosophy, art, and sophistication. Their generals are regal and every warrior a member of a noble house (save it be the peasants of course).

Department of defense
The people wont stand for another foreign entanglement or "peacekeeping" operation that gets our own people killed, but mercenaries on the other hand my lord, no one's going to lose sleep over them.
None of your factions troops may leave your borders.

The kings finest!
Be it paranoia or personal pride, it is decreed that no army shall surpass the kings personal guard in regards to training, equipment or style.
The faction leader must at all times have the best army in the kingdom, no other general should rival him.

The Sea Peoples
The only military units you can recruit are naval units

Regional experts
Have each army hail from a specific province in your empire (the capital, the industrial heart, the bread-basket region, etc) and then theme the army based on that region.
Agriculture province= light inf, skirmishers, or light cav core
Industry province= heavy armor infantry core
Capital province= melee cavalry, gladiator, or noble unit core
Border territories= mimic your enemies army compositions

Short!? That's going in the book!
Hold grudges, keep a piece of paper to note who trespasses your territory, raids your land, captures a your settlements or defeats your armies ion battle and then don't rest until you have satisfied your peoples righteous lust for revenge. As a bonus, don't forget to send your politicians on diplomatic missions to see if they get spartan kicked into a pit. That's starting a war for sure.
You can also be fiercely loyal with a grudges playthrough. If someone earns the right to be an ally, your people will not stand idly by and if they are invaded. (Gondor calls for aid and we will answer!)

Longest road. 2 Victory Points!
The silk road has made many a wealthy and powerful king, now is our time, great lord, to do the same.
Instead of expanding your borders like a sane person, grow out in 1-2 long narrow paths stretching across the map, remember to grab lots of resource territories and trade agreements as you fight for your life to keep the great road open.

Cold War Collusion
We must avoid open confrontation with our rival my lord, the horrors of such a war would be too great, but there are other ways great king of weakening their influence while increasing our own.
Choose a set area of expansion and don't capture any territories beyond that. Ultimately you still want to expand your influence though. This is where proficient use of agents, allies, satraps, and giving money to your enemies rivals comes into play.

Low tech, Big brain
Our kingdom is of ancient origin and our people have proud traditions. These new technology is the corrupting tool of our enemy, we do not need it, we will not use it.
Do a campaign with severely limited technology research and/or building upgrades.

Air bnb with a beach side view
Only capture settlements with ports.

AoE castle rush build
Prioritize technology and research rate in every capital.

Record Keepers
Record the death tolls after each battle, this way you can look back and see which wars were the most destructive and which nations deserve the title of your "arch nemesis".

Remember that difficulty level, different factions, campaign victory conditions, DLC, and especially mods all help in changing up your gameplay as well.

Note that some are these ideas are more masochistic than others, but if you're looking for a challenge, enjoy.

To me this 'themed playstyle guide' is what I would have loved to have read after I started playing the game, so feel free to share all the things you like to do in the comments for everyone else to enjoy. (if you have lots of thoughts make a guide! it was suprisingly easy)