Min-Maxing Guide

Optimize every aspect of gameplay for maximum political impact. This guide covers advanced efficiency tactics for experienced players.

Action Efficiency#

You have limited actions each turn. Every action should produce maximum value.

Action Priority by Phase#

Early Game (no office)

1. Campaign - Build influence to 30%+
2. Fundraise - Build a war chest for ads
3. Poll - Understand your demographic appeal (do this once)

Mid Game (holding House seat)

1. Campaign - Maintain/grow influence
2. Run ads - Boost favorability in weak demographics before election season
3. Fundraise - Office income covers basics; fundraise for extra

Late Game (Senate/Governor+)

1. Strategic campaigning during election season only
2. Ads targeting swing demographics
3. NPP influence (if party chair/VC) - shape your competition

The Influence Sweet Spot#

• At high influence, 1% decay per turn means you lose more each turn
• Maintain 40-60% influence outside election season; surge to 80%+ during campaigns
• Don't waste actions maintaining 90%+ influence when no election is near

Fund Optimization#

Income Maximization#

• Win office early - Even a House seat gives $5k/hr passive
• Low-tax party - Consider party tax rates when choosing allegiance
• Stacked bonuses - Office bonus + donor level + state population tier

Spending Efficiency#

• Don't hoard - Funds don't compound; spend them on ads when elections are near
• Batch ads - Run ads in the 4 turns before an election (campaign season 2x multiplier)
• Target ROI demographics - Ads on demographics close to your positions give better returns

Position Optimization#

Your economic and social positions are set at character creation. Choose wisely:

Safe Positions (broad appeal)#

• Center-left (-2/-2) or center-right (+2/+2) - Appeal to the most demographics
• Match your party's median - Win primaries more easily

Risky Positions (niche power)#

• Extreme positions (-5/-5 or +5/+5) - Dominate aligned demographics but alienate others
• Only works in heavily-leaned states where your demographics are the majority

State Selection#

Your home state determines your entire career path:

Optimal States#

• Swing states (AZ, GA, MI, NH, NV, PA, WI) - Most competitive; elections are exciting but harder
• Aligned states - States matching your policy positions; easier to win but less competitive
• High-population states - Higher donor base for fundraising

Avoid#

• States where the opposite party has overwhelming lean (unless you join that party)
• Very small states (low donor base, few House seats)

Election Timing#

When to Enter#

• Enter primaries early - Discourages NPP entry (their entry chance halves)
• Don't enter too many races - Focus resources on one winnable race

When to Campaign Hard#

• 4 turns before election end - Campaign season multiplier is active
• During primary only if contested - Save resources if you're unopposed

Party Leadership Meta#

Winning party chair/VC gives you NPP influence actions:

• Clear your primary - Use influence to withdraw NPP opponents
• Stack endorsements - Get NPPs to endorse you for vote boost
• Deny opponents - Oppose NPPs from endorsing your general election opponent

Multi-Office Strategy#

1. Start with House (easiest to win)
2. Build funds and influence with office bonuses
3. Run for Senate or Governor (statewide races)
4. If ambitious: Presidential run (requires national influence + party org)

Related Pages#

• Campaign Strategy - Foundation strategy guide
• Formula Deep-Dive - Exact formulas for optimization
• Demographics & Targeting - Voter group mechanics
• State-Level Power - State office strategy