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About GENERAL IDLER
General Idler is an idle conquest simulation set on a parallel Earth with 195 nations, each possessing borders, populations and strategic assets. You begin with a single country and a modest cash reserve, aiming to expand until you control the entire world.
The game revolves around building industry, raising Army Power and choosing between paying cash or Army Power to annex neighbours. Doctrines, rival AI generals, optional nukes and a second‑layer New World Order provide strategic depth, while offline earnings and auto‑invade keep progress moving when you’re away.
01 / THE GUIDE
The Loop
Each cycle you build industries to generate cash, then spend that cash on units that increase your Army Power. Higher Army Power lets you take the country next door, and each conquest speeds up the next one. The loop repeats, letting your empire grow faster as you add more territories and assets.
- Focus early industry upgrades to boost cash flow before expanding armies.
- Watch how each new conquest reduces the time needed for the following cycle.
02 / THE GUIDE
Map Strategic Assets
Countries feature assets such as breadbaskets, oil fields, fortresses, strait controls and crossroads. These assets affect industry output, defensive strength, island chain access and invasion costs. Zooming in shows your army massing at borders, illustrating how assets shape each advance.
- Target nations with breadbaskets or oil fields first for stronger industry.
- Consider fortresses and crossroads when planning the shortest invasion route.
03 / THE GUIDE
Doctrines and Cycle
Every cycle begins with a posture—Economic Mobilization, Blitzkrieg or War of Attrition. The chosen doctrine amplifies a family of strategic assets, linking your doctrine choice to the route you take. Selecting the right doctrine can make certain assets more valuable, influencing whether you pursue rapid expansion or steady growth.
- Match Economic Mobilization with asset‑rich regions for cash gains.
- Use Blitzkrieg when you need to capitalize on fast‑moving armies.
04 / THE GUIDE
Vassalage and Conquest Options
You can acquire a country by paying its Army Power or by paying cash for its allegiance. Vassal nations pay tribute, share their assets and extend your reach without direct combat. Choosing cash for allegiance can be cheaper when a nation’s Army Power is high, while paying Army Power may be faster if you have surplus forces.
- Use cash purchases for heavily fortified nations to avoid costly battles.
- Turn vassals into tribute sources to supplement your cash and industry.
05 / THE GUIDE
Scenarios and Scenario Editor
Standalone scenarios provide unique maps, rivals and win conditions, including lose conditions. You can also create custom maps with the Scenario Editor, rename countries, change flags, merge nations and set goals for up to three AI rivals. Created scenarios can be published to the Steam Workshop with one click, allowing you to play community‑made wars and share your own creations.
- Experiment with different rival setups in the editor to test new strategies.
- Try community scenarios for fresh challenges beyond the main campaign.
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