Irish

[hoom]

I've been playing VI as the Irish http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Its pretty fun really.

Dartmen are cool -being missile throwers that actually have enough range to hit stuff- though their darts are not particularly lethal.

Gallowglasses seem to be the requisite unit to form the core of your army. Darn it http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Somewhat surprisingly I have been defeating Saxon Huscarles with my GGs http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif Mostly through armour & weapon upgrades as well as position though.
The Mercian hordes just about threw me off the mainland altogether but I was just saved by weapon/armour upgraded GGs coming online just at the right time to be central in the defeat a big army http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
Its pretty scary being reliant on GGs though, since when the tide turns, they can die off rather quickly http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/eek.gif

Lack of archers is a pain. But I guess it just gives me justification to fill my starting army with more GGs http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif & forces me to try other techniques.

Thankfully I've not had to deal with the Vikings much other than a long naval battle before I could successfully defend my coasts from invaders.

This is the first 'normal' unit size game I've played for ages.
I kinda like it, but I also like the 2 turn unit building of 'max' because it really encourages retraining units rather than merging.
Missiles & artillery are more useful when there are bigger units pumping out the missiles & bigger blocks of meat to hit.

What I'd like to know is how good Bonnachts are in melee?
I've not really used them (got one unit to take out nearly half of a huscarle unit with its missiles http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif ) & I assume they should be quite reasonable at melee?

[MiniKiller]

I've had recent trouble...cant merge units but anyway, here a tip, if u like me abd build up plenty before attacking heres what to do.

You know how when you first start there are 2 rebel provinces and 1 Scotish province? Ok listen up, When you can take the rebel province to your left (Its lush and unless u do the Vikings will get on it and constinatly send men to it) If you have about 250 men the rebels will just leave, they all are Kerns as are the other rebels. Then take turns with each commander (Should have 3 at this point not counting ur king, garrision him, hes to old to build up at this point casue of the damn 56 bug) AFter you win...leave. Let them rebel and attack again. Great way to build up command and get great virtues. The Viking do attack the Picts so when you see the chance grab that one to. The Vikings will then come at you but ur defence should be fine to hold em off, they never send enough troops in.

[ShadesPanther]

Munster and Ulster are very important provinces
Connought (doh cant spell it, oh well it looks ok might be right http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/joker.gif ) and Meath (well it doesnt say meath but i know it is) dont have good resouces although connought is very poor land but meath has good land for farming.
Overall Ireland is pretty rich and allows you to expand i would say expand to Wales after and maybe scotland/ Pictland.

I think Bonnachts have poor defence because they charge might be poor attack i dont really know as i never play them. I am always Scots (because of me ancestors http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smokin.gif ) or Saxons and sometimes Vikings for a laugh

EDIT: stupid smiies

[hoom]

Getting control of Ireland is easy enough.

Getting a solid base on the mainland was not too hard either.

But expanding out into that big nest of saxons, mercians etc is what is troubling me.

[Sir Chauncy]

Actually i have just started playing as the Irish and have to say that i am anything other than impressed. I always play defensively: I always have lots of archers and heavy troopers and turtle on a hill and kill loads of people. The Irish just don't have that edge for me. Taking Ireland is easy enough but the Irish troops just do not suit my style of play. Bonnachts are rubbish I have seen them lose half their number fighting peasants downhill after tossing all of their javelin things. Gallowglasses are the way to go, with upgrades and a lot of morale they do work but even they die fast.
After taking Ireland, bride the rebels in reget for a decent province and a general that is actually worth something. Having Boats around your coastline is also improtant once you have ireland, it means that the viking cannot launch a surprise attack without giving you a years warning (trying to sink your ships).
Have a go with one of the other factions is my advice...

[Yoko Kono]

i love the irish but i like skirmishes more than battles and there army suits my hit and run type tactics due to thier speed although they do lack cavalry
the dartmen are my faves since they fight well in h2h and have missles with a decent range (about half an archer range roughly) tho gallowglasses come in handy
the kerns are great for mowing down powerful units with spears while a gallowglass pins
em

i think the bonnachts are just slighly better balanced gallowglasses with the bonus of javelins