You would probably get a better answer in the Main Hall, but I'll give what limited knowledge I have.
Long version
Originally Posted by
OldMan
-- I build a great kingdom with lots of troops, lots of influence, rich economy, loyal generals.
-- Inevitably, Catholic factions or 2 start messing with me and launching crusades
-- I have tried weathering the Catholic attacks, but the always just widdle me down to eventual defeat
This is expected, but you should use the climate to your advantage. Make the Catholics march the length of the map, boiling in their armor the whole time. Then use skirmishers and fast horse to make them march more. Fatigue will be the deciding factor.
On the strategic level, don't just let the crusade retreat. Attack the province it retreats to if possible. Destruction of the marker will cause the crusading faction leader's influence to drop by 2, potentially kicking off a civil war and ending your troubles with that faction for a while.
Originally Posted by
OldMan
-- Because I can't just weather it, I become aggressive, and pursue my protagonist
-- I do well at defeating my enemy, generally obliterating the faction, but I end up in Catholic lands
-- I sac the papacy to stop the crusades
Good strategy if you can supply the expeditionary force. You will need to equip these armies with troops better suited to temperate lands.
Originally Posted by
OldMan
-- I put 2 or more Alims on conquered Catholic provences, and watch the percentage of Muslim followers grow to my favor
-- Revolts. I beat them back, and it doesn't matter what I do: Release All, Enslave Ringleaders or Enslave All, the revolts are incredibly persistent!
-- I build buildings that create happiness, build economy, etc. but it just doesn't seem to help
Imams will convert faster if you can get them. Build Mosques first, they will convert the population and increase happiness. When you move into the province, the Christian/Orthodox churches are destroyed, so all the happiness bonuses from them are lost right off the bat. Send spies in with the Imams/Alims to reduce unrest. I also think the piety of the governor affects the province if it isn't converted yet. You want to assign high dread, low piety governors to these provinces.
Originally Posted by
OldMan
-- Meanwhile, the Catholics start sinking my navy
-- I am developing, training men and Jihads, to keep what I have and to replenish my diminishing troops, so I can't replace the navy as my hands are full
I don't know for sure about this, but losing ship battles might affect your faction leader's influence. Not much can can probably do about this except to dance your fleets. Move them each turn and they may stay alive.
Originally Posted by
OldMan
-- Because of the revolts and everyone else that smells blood, my troops become diminished
-- I can not push forward, and I can not hold what I have, especially since ships are being sunk, which makes my entire empire vulnerable
-- As I am slowly being defeated, I try to pull back, giving up provences, so that I can again focus on navy and get back to developing
-- Civil war, always
When you give up the provinces, you take an influence hit, hence the civil war.
Originally Posted by
OldMan
-- Armies cut to a fraction of what they were by my own men, development set back, no influence, vulnerable seashores, more civil war from my pissed off generals, aggravating the situation, my new rebel faction leader, little more influence than the original, downward spiral, slow defeat.
Short version:
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