Starvation Strikes: The Dire Consequences of Running Out of Food in Call of War

So, you’re playing Call of War, meticulously planning your troop movements, securing strategic territories, and building up your war machine. But amidst all the geopolitical maneuvering, have you remembered the most basic of needs: food? In Call of War, running out of food can be a game-changer, and not in a good way. Failing to secure and maintain a sufficient food supply can cripple your war efforts, devastate your economy, and lead to widespread unrest within your nation. Simply put: running out of food in Call of War is a recipe for disaster.

Specifically, the consequences are twofold:

• Barracks Damage and Deactivation: If your food stocks dwindle to zero, your active barracks begin to suffer damage. They will continue to take damage until they reach below level 1, at which point they no longer consume food. The best immediate response is to deactivate all barracks that are not absolutely essential to your war effort to slow down food consumption.
• Province Morale Loss: The specter of starvation has a devastating effect on your populace. Running out of food causes a significant drop in province morale. Low morale directly impacts resource production, troop recruitment speed, and overall stability within your territories. A starving population is an unproductive and rebellious population.

Understanding the Food Mechanic in Call of War

Before we delve deeper into the ramifications of food shortages, let’s understand how the food mechanic works in Call of War. Food is a crucial resource, alongside manpower, metal, oil, rares, and money, and is essential for sustaining your troops and maintaining the stability of your nation.

Food Production

Food is primarily produced by provinces. Typically, each country will have at least one food-producing city, which generates a significant amount of food per day (usually 6000, without industry). In addition, there are also one or two rural provinces that produce a lesser amount, typically around 1500 food per day.

Food Consumption

Your troops and buildings consume food. A large, active army will quickly deplete your food reserves if your production isn’t sufficient to keep up. Barracks, in particular, are notorious food sinks, which is why managing them proactively is so important.

Visual Indicators

The game provides clear visual indicators of your food situation. Your current food stock and hourly surplus (in green) or deficit (in red) are prominently displayed. Clicking on the food resource tab reveals more detailed information, allowing you to track your production and consumption trends.

Mitigating the Risk of Food Shortages

Preventing food shortages is paramount. Here are some key strategies:

• Secure and Protect Food-Producing Provinces: Prioritize conquering and defending provinces with high food production.
• Build Industry in Food-Producing Provinces: Investing in industry in food-producing provinces significantly boosts their output.
• Manage Troop Numbers: Avoid over-recruiting troops that you cannot sustain.
• Strategic Barracks Management: Only activate barracks that are essential for training new units. Deactivate others to conserve food.
• Trade: Use the market to trade for food when your production is low. This can be costly, but it’s better than letting your nation starve.
• Diplomacy: Form alliances with countries that have abundant food resources. Trade agreements can be a lifeline during shortages.

Consequences of Prolonged Food Shortages

A short-term food deficit can be managed, but prolonged shortages can have devastating consequences:

• Economic Collapse: Low morale in your provinces will cripple resource production, including money. This leads to a downward spiral where you can’t afford to build industry, recruit troops, or maintain your infrastructure.
• Military Ineffectiveness: Starving troops are less effective in battle. State-Based Damage Efficiency (SBDE) kicks in, reducing the combat effectiveness of your units. This makes you vulnerable to attack.
• Rebellions: Severely low morale can lead to rebellions in your provinces, further destabilizing your nation.
• Loss of the Game: Ultimately, prolonged food shortages can lead to the collapse of your nation, resulting in a loss.

Call of War: Beyond Military Might

Call of War is more than just a game of military conquest. It’s a strategic simulation that requires careful resource management, economic planning, and diplomatic maneuvering. Neglecting the basic needs of your population, such as food, can be just as detrimental as a military defeat. A balanced approach, combining military strength with a robust economy and a happy populace, is the key to victory. Learning about game-based learning and how strategy games can improve your decision-making skills can provide a competitive edge, consider visiting the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org for more insights.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How much food does a unit consume in Call of War?

The food consumption of a unit varies depending on its type and level. More advanced units generally consume more food. Check the unit’s stats in the production tab for specific consumption details.

2. Can I increase food production in rural provinces?

Yes, building infrastructure in rural provinces increases their resource production, including food.

3. Is it better to conquer a food-producing province or build industry in an existing one?

It depends on the circumstances. Conquering a province provides an immediate boost to your food supply, but it can also be costly in terms of troops and resources. Building industry is a long-term investment that will eventually yield higher returns.

4. Can I use gold to buy food?

No, you cannot directly buy food with gold. However, you can use gold to speed up the construction of industry in food-producing provinces, which indirectly increases food production.

5. What happens if I run out of manpower as well as food?

Running out of manpower is just as detrimental as running out of food. You won’t be able to recruit new troops, and your existing units will be difficult to reinforce. Combine that with food shortages, and you’re facing a complete collapse.

6. Are some doctrines better for food production?

No doctrine has an inherent boost to food production. Focus on managing your food-producing provinces effectively.

7. Can I sabotage enemy food production?

Yes, you can use spies to sabotage enemy industry in food-producing provinces, reducing their food output.

8. How do I know which provinces produce food?

The resource icons on the map indicate which resources a province produces. Look for the food icon (usually a wheat stalk or similar).

9. Is food more important than other resources?

All resources are important in Call of War, but food is arguably the most critical. Without food, your entire war effort will collapse, regardless of how much metal, oil, or rares you have.

10. What are the best early-game strategies for securing food?

Focus on conquering nearby provinces that produce food, and build industry in your starting food-producing provinces as quickly as possible.

11. How does morale affect food production?

Morale directly affects resource production. Low morale reduces the amount of food produced by your provinces, while high morale increases it.

12. What’s the best way to raise morale in a province experiencing food shortages?

Addressing the root cause of the low morale is essential. Increase food production, lower taxes, and build infrastructure to improve the overall happiness of your population.

13. Can I trade food with AI countries?

No, you can only trade with other human players.

14. How do units heal when food is scarce?

The rate at which units heal will be affected by the morale of the province they are in. Low morale will lead to slower healing. Ground units heal when they are in land you control, moving is OK, air units heal when they are operating from one of your airbasesand sea units heal anywhere on sea.

15. Are there any events or scenarios in Call of War that specifically focus on food shortages?

While there aren’t specific events designed around food shortages, the dynamic nature of the game means that factors like prolonged conflict, successful enemy blockades, or aggressive sabotage tactics can all lead to localized or widespread food crises. Adapting to these challenges is part of what makes Call of War an engaging and strategic experience.