Start with the United Earth Forces campaign tutorial if it is available in your build. In your first skirmish, scout a region connected to your home territory, secure that route, and use a nearby powered factory to reinforce your army. This sequence gives you a way to make progress without getting lost on the map.
Learn one system at a time
The developers describe a tutorial woven into the UEF campaign. Pick that route when you want guided instruction. An AI skirmish gives you room to repeat an opening and see what happens when you change one decision, such as which connection you secure first.
Zoom out before you send the army forward
Use the strategic view to find your home region, your army, and the region you want to take. Trace the connection back to home before moving. Zoom in to scout the approach and check whether your army has enough support for a fight there. On a large map, getting the route right can matter more than winning the first engagement.
Protect the link back to your home region
The developer journal on production and region power describes how an isolated region loses power. It stops producing resources and its production buildings stop working. If your next move would leave a single vulnerable link behind you, defend that link or look for another connection before pushing farther.
Reinforce the army you already have
When your frontline force loses units, recruit replacements into that army. In the documented production system, replacements spawn at the appropriate production building nearest the army. A powered building closer to the front can shorten the trip, while matching facilities farther back still contribute to production speed. Watch how long replacements take to arrive before committing the army to another fight.
FAQ
Do I need to play the first game first?
No. The sequel's developer FAQ says the campaign introduces the setting and factions from a new point of view.
Why did my forward factory stop working?
Check whether the region still has a connection back to your home region. The documented system shuts off production when that connection is cut.
Should I learn multiplayer in my first match?
An AI skirmish is a useful place to practice scouting, territorial connections, and reinforcement timing before trying those decisions against a human opponent.