WANTED: Brave veterans of war in Iberia

[Brennus]

Hello everyone, after a long hiatus caused by technical difficulties and a coursework i went back to playing EB today, and once again started a Casse campaign. Now I am determined to see this one through to the end. To that extent I am planning to use a new strategy, rather than conquer Britain and then take a shot at Gaul (as I usually end up being squeezed between a vice of Sweboz and Roman armies) I am planning to conquer Britain and then further secure my economy by conquering Iberia and only then move onto Gaul, thus avoiding the vice.

Therefore I was wondering if anyone had any good advice for fighting in Iberia? I have only played in Iberia once, as the Carthaginians, so I am quite unsure what units a Casse general could actually count on (I will look through the recruitment viewer before hand). Any tips on strategy, tactics or how best to proceed? I know there are ALOT of you out there with knowledge of how to swiftly conquer Iberia.

Thanks in advance!

[Fluvius Camillus]

If you wait too long, it will feel like invading Vietnam~D

Good luck though, the Lusotannan's are hardy warriors!

~Fluvius

[satalexton]

Kluddrobros, in large numbers; then flank with botroas. There's no point bringing in the few armoured units u have cuz their weapons are AP. Their local javelin-men are very nice, as are their caetrati/caetranan.

Once you've taken Iberia you'll find their Gestikapoinan and caetrati VERY handy against the upcoming onslaught from Barbaropolis...

P.S. Taking Ibera will also gain you a desperately needed cavalry arm...

[athanaric]

I've conquered most of Iberia as the Casse. I had to face Carthage for the most time, and their nasty but clever habit of sending reinforcements from Africa and the Baleares (though later on, most of these drowned in the Mediterranean Sea, hehe).

Most of the armies I sent were Belgae armies, with Milnaht, Gaeroas or Gaelaiche, Iaosatae, Botroas and some Teceitos. Also one or two champion units per stack. I've managed to pull off at least one insanely heroic victory with these (squeezed between big stack with like six archer units and another one with a lot of elites - I killed most of them but it was a nightmare).
In another memorable exploit, I've had one unit of Caledonian Nobles annihilate a full unit of elephants and causing further havoc along the way.

When fighting Carthage, remember to bring axemen. And recruit additional ones as soon as you have Asturia or Cantabria. You will likely face some super nasty phalanxes and other crack troops with a very hard shell, so axes and javelins are mandatory. If you don't care much for historical accuracy, you can also mobilize the Kluddargos, as well as the Ebherni and Goidelic elites. You will find a good use for them.
It is also very likely that you will be facing archer spam as reinforcement from Sardinia and slinger/elite skirmisher spam from the Baleares. This means you need a decent amount of cavalry, preferably Curepos, and some types of infantry that can combat missile troops on their own terms. Milnaht are absolutely great troops and should form the anchor (in a critical position. I don't encourage you to spam swordsmen - that would be unhistorical) of your battle line anyway, so you can mobilize these against missile troops as well.
Iaosatae are of course very important against both Qart Hadast and Lusotannan. They're also superior to Iberian slingers and I'm fairly certain they can take on Balearic Slingers in a missile duel, due to better protection and much more ammo.
That said, you should hire Balearic Slingers for yourself, as mercs.

Remember the basic layout:
against Carthage - AP
against Lusotannan - high lethality

and whatever you do against Carthage, block their navies. And pillage all their cities.

[ertai1987]

and whatever you do against Carthage, block their navies. And pillage all their cities.

and dont forget the lamentating women...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V30tyaXv6EI&feature=player_embedded

[Arthur, king of the Britons]

The most important thing one have to remember when fighting the Iberians is that while their troops doesn't look too intimidating they can kill off a lot of your warriors. Do not underestimate them, and good luck. :)

[Brave Brave Sir Robin]

Yeah Lusotanian wars are always bloodbaths. Just about every single warrior type has a missile of some kind and they will certainly hurt your unarmored warriors while the AP melee weapons prevelent in their armies hurt against your armored ones...

I usually spam archers against them but as Casse, Sotoroas won't work or will but only in a limited way. Try to use a good amount of light infantry, but only if they also have missile weapons to counter Iberian lights. Melee capable skirmishers such as Immanae and Caledonians also are very helpful.

[seienchin]

When fighting in Iberia, just make a huge infantry onslaught at the enemy to rout them all. As tough as lustann are, the Ki rarely gets them in a good formation to withstand a massiv blow from the front.

[Brennus]

Thank you everyone for the advice, its very helpful.

The situation from the frontline: Britain is under my control and I control Ireland through client kings. I have succeeded in getting a curragh to Iberia and landed to spies there who are scouting the situation. My curragh is navigating the coast at the moment.

At present there are four powers in Iberia. The Aedui control Cantabria. The Romans control Lacetania. Carthage is only just clinging on to Bastetania and the Lusotanni control the rest. The Aedui, Lusotanni and myself are all allies however I feer that in attacking the Lusotanni I will also lose the Aedui as allies.

I have a veteran army of Milnaht and Uirodusios ready to go and I am planning to raise several stacks of Goidils and Caledonians in order to put some sand in the Lusotanni economic machine. I am to seize the rich mining districts as quickly as possible and thus deprive the Lusotanni of their largest income. How does this plan sound?

Also does anyone know if it is possible to build any other ships apart from the two classes Celtic nations seem to be restricted to? Personally I have never encountered more than two classes but I simply ask out of fear of losing my reinforcements in the drink.

[athanaric]

The situation from the frontline: Britain is under my control and I control Ireland through client kings. I have succeeded in getting a curragh to Iberia and landed to spies there who are scouting the situation. My curragh is navigating the coast at the moment.
I'd say get a proper fleet there (Tech 2 boats are available in Ivernis and Ictis), and try to seize control of all Iberian shores. Lest the Carthies or Romans send naval reinforcements full of elephants and elite nasties.



At present there are four powers in Iberia.
Good. Divide et impera.



The Aedui control Cantabria.
GOOD. How's their tech level there? Have they built paved roads in that region? If yes, seize :evil:



The Romans control Lacetania.
Unavoidable evil. Perhaps a counterweight against QH and Lusotannan...



The Aedui, Lusotanni and myself are all allies however I feer that in attacking the Lusotanni I will also lose the Aedui as allies.
No. If you attack them, mutual allies will stick to you. If they attack you, however...



I have a veteran army of Milnaht and Uirodusios ready to go and I am planning to raise several stacks of Goidils and Caledonians in order to put some sand in the Lusotanni economic machine. I am to seize the rich mining districts as quickly as possible and thus deprive the Lusotanni of their largest income. How does this plan sound?
Neat.



Also does anyone know if it is possible to build any other ships apart from the two classes Celtic nations seem to be restricted to?
Gauls can build big ships in Armoriae, but Casse can't.

[Brennus]

AN UPDATE (if anyone cares): Within the next few turns I will invade Iberia. I have a full stack of Goidelic cavalry and Caledonian light infantry as well as my veteran army i discussed before. I have three fleets of Ponto vessels and spies covering most of the Iberian peninsula. Since my last post Carthage has been removed from her Iberian colonies and the Lusotana and Romans are now fighting viciously for Lecetania will full stacks. As a result of this buildup my income has shrunk from a handsome 9,000 mnai a turn to a mere 850.

The big development is that I now have military access from both the Aedui and the Lusotana, thus I don't need to worry about having an Omaha beech incident and assuming the Aedui stay allied I can bring reinforcements through Gaul and thanks to the agreement with the Lusotana simply park my veterans outside their capital and wait.

My only worry now is upsetting the situation in Lacetania and watching the Romans steam roll across Iberia and in turn steam roll me back to Blighty.

I will post a screenshot if people like when it all kicks off?

[Zradha Pahlavan]

I'd go after the Romans first, but watch your back. Your "allies" might not appreciate your help.

[Arthur, king of the Britons]

Hey, Brennus, how are things going in Iberia as of now?