# Populous: The Beginning game guide

Populous goes easy on new players, even though high-level gameplay is very complex. This guide is intended to give you an overview of how the game is played by covering basic topics like buildings, units, spells in addition to lots of insider gameplay mechanics & tricks.

### Mastering Populous: The Beginning

In order to hone your Populous skills you will need to play often, both team games (2v2) and duels (1v1). You can also play the single player campaign while you’re still learning to help familiarize with the controls and mechanics.

Watching videos is also very important for your improvement at Populous — watch Electric’s videos here (YouTube).

## Getting Started

Learn how to install & configure Populous for optimal speed and performance, and get a basic introduction to the client and gaming interface.
Read more

## Basic Gameplay

Covers all the basic elements for beginner-level gameplay: creating & managing units, harvesting resources, charging & using spells, and engaging your enemy.
Read more

## Strategy

Basic and advanced strategy guides.
Read more

## Tactics

Basic and advanced tactics.
Read more

## Maps

In depth-discussion and analysis of the most commonly played multiplayer maps.
Read more

## Glossary

A comprehensive glossary of Populous-related terminology and slang used in game and in the online multiplayer community.
Read more

Links
CDPlayer’s Populous site
TheDarkAngle’s Populous guide
Populous: Reincarnated – Strategy and tactics forum