Loot and French crossbows

[o_loompah_the_delayer]

As part of a homage to Arsene Wenger and the rest of the frenchmen at Arsenal, I started a campaign as France. In the faction description it says that French x-bow men are beeter than most - in what way?

Also it is very difficult ot get allies as France, almost like the Turks in this respect. I have noticed this when playing other factions, France rarely has a significant number of allies. Why?

Also when you finish of a faction, I think you should get a good chunk of their treasury, for example in this game, after taking Mercia I followed and finished of the English faction in Northumberland. The game then crashed, reloaded and this time the king retreated to Mercia castle and I ransomed him, and then took him out next turn. Surely the cash that the English had was still there, and I think it would be nice if I got at least some of it http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Oaty]

Quote[/b] ]Also it is very difficult ot get allies as France, almost like the Turks in this respect. I have noticed this when playing other factions, France rarely has a significant number of allies. Why?

Thats quite easy to answer, just think even in modern times now, does anyone like the French http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/joker.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/joker.gif

Actually I think the French start out in a horrible position where everyone throws there kick-me sign. Since you brought it up I think the French probably start out with the worst defensive position out of all factions. With 4 factions surrounding France with an immediate threat.


Quote[/b] ]Also when you finish of a faction, I think you should get a good chunk of their treasury, for example in this game

So If they were in debt do you inherit that too http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/joker.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/joker.gif

Comeon now do you really need that extra edge against the A.I.

[Revenant69]

Actually i think the Germans have the worst defensive position of all the catholics with French coming in a close second. The reason is, methinks, that HRE has huge borders to defend. And it is not easy to do at all. I mean HRE are right smack in the middle of Europe.

Just my 2 cents

[Quokka]

Quote[/b] ]Surely the cash that the English had was still there, and I think it would be nice if I got at least some of it

The English might have had no cash at all. It clearly states on the Ransom screen that you can go into debt to ransom back troops. The English probably did this.

[o_loompah_the_delayer]

No I dont usually need the cash, its just that France has a terrible position - if you take on the Germans, England stomps on them, and if htey take on Englamd, Germnay stompsthem instead.

I used the initial cash to build lots of troops and farms in Flanders to bankroll everything. That gave me enough troops to take England without the HRE invading immediately, but got excommed, and Spain launched a crusade and aragon and HRE joined in the fun. At this point I was desperate for cash, hence the gripe.

Anyhting on the crossbows?

[hrvojej]

Quote[/b] (o_loompah @ Sep. 05 2003,16:32)]In the faction description it says that French x-bow men are beeter than most - in what way?
They are chepaer to produce for the French, as are chivalric units. I forgot whether this also applies to the maintenance cost, and I forgot how big is the discount (20% or so?).

[Eastside Character]

The French have an advantage in producing crossbows (lower cost).

And one more thing - while playing the french it is VERY important to stay in good relationship with a pope and do not start a war with a faction allied to your neighbours. And if you want war - the best target is Lorraine and later Burgundy, cause as others here said before HRE is in really difficult situation .... why not make it worse? http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[el_slapper]

I guess it's a matter of cost. Xbows only, not arbs. Not sure, though, I haven't got the game right here.

[Lord_PH]

france is in shambles...france is only good in middle-late eras: extremely poor in the early period. the AI aways seems to build peseants when playing as the french: i think that it is because of their desperate position and to imitate the other factions with high stacks...child's play... http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/joker.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/joker.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/joker.gif

[Monk]

Quote[/b] (Lord_PH @ Sep. 06 2003,18:45)]france is in shambles...france is only good in middle-late eras: extremely poor in the early period. the AI aways seems to build peseants when playing as the french: i think that it is because of their desperate position and to imitate the other factions with high stacks...child's play... http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/joker.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/joker.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/joker.gif
in my current game as Sicily, (expert) the French are the dominant faction. they controle all of the British Ilse, Scandinavia, All of Western and Central Europe, Spain, parts of North Africa, and a few crusader Kingdoms in the Steppes. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/shock.gif

in other words, they must be doing something right,

btw started early http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[bighairyman]

Quote[/b] (o_loompah @ Sep. 05 2003,16:32)]Also when you finish of a faction, I think you should get a good chunk of their treasury, for example in this game, after taking Mercia I followed and finished of the English faction in Northumberland. The game then crashed, reloaded and this time the king retreated to Mercia castle and I ransomed him, and then took him out next turn. Surely the cash that the English had was still there, and I think it would be nice if I got at least some of it http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
well think in medieval terms. the basic medieval economy is this: money=land. so i don't think the king have much money. almost all the richest in the kingdome belongs to the hundreds of lords, counts, and dukes. i remeber that when the king go to war. they have to raise war taxes to help pay the soldiers. so that means the king and the government don't have much cash. and kings can only go to war for a couple of years without nobles help

[o_loompah_the_delayer]

Quote[/b] (bighairyman @ Sep. 06 2003,20:34)]well think in medieval terms. the basic medieval economy is this: money=land. so i don't think the king have much money. almost all the richest in the kingdome belongs to the hundreds of lords, counts, and dukes. i remeber that when the king go to war. they have to raise war taxes to help pay the soldiers. so that means the king and the government don't have much cash. and kings can only go to war for a couple of years without nobles help
Thats true I hadnt thought of it that way. I am not sure why I had an image of the King's party included the Chancellor leading a bunch of horses carryinbg chests of gold for the Kings expenses.

Thannks for the info on the xbows. I dont think France is useless in early, if you knock out England, and secure your back it actually becomes excellent. Just got to keep the HRE at bay, and said before taking Lorraine and Burgundy would make life a lot harder for the Germans. One thing France is not - it is not poor Flanders is one of the richest provinces right behind venice/constantinople/antioch. Ile de France and Brittany arent bad either, ditto Wessex and Aquitane http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Qilue]

One aspect of capturing Lorrane and Burgundy is it reduces your frontier from 7 to 6 and changes your capital from a border province to an interior.

Also a quick campaign through Scandinavia nets 3 rich provinces, iron and a second invasion route into the HRE. The Germans tend to behave themselves when you can attack from two directions.