Can't Invade Crete ?!

[Etym]

I'm a noob, so I apologize if I'm just missing something obvious, but here's my problem:

I started my first real campaign as the Poles in the Early period (MTW only, current patch installed). It's now 1210, and I've done well. In particular, I took all of the Byzantine Empire in Europe (but not Turkey, which my allies the Egyptians gobbled up) except for Crete. For some reason I can't figure out, I can't put ANYTHING on Crete -- no troops, no agents, not even a nubile young princess

BTW, I occupy every sea zone touching the island, and am connected via ship chain to my own ports from the Black Sea to the Baltic. I'm not at war with anyone (although I'd LIKE to be at war with those @#$% Byzzers). The only things I can think of that may interfere with my grand plan of final conquest (though I don't know how or why) are 1) there is a Byzantine ship sharing space with mine in one of the sea zones next to Crete (and also one in the Black Sea, along with mine), 2) Crete doesn't have a port, and 3)other parts of my chain are shared by the Italians, English and Egyptians. Do I have to eliminate all other factions' ships from the chain to get into Crete? Or is it something else? Thanks for your input. Regards, ET

[motorhead]

It's the byz ships that are stopping you. You can't invade thru a sea zone controlled by enemy (or soon to be) enemy ships. If Crete doesn't have a port you won't be able to put agents there. Be careful when invading as w/o a port it won't be connected to the rest of your empire. Loyalty may be low if the invading army isn't large enough, and whatever you do don't send in your king as this will isolate him from his empire and probably result in a civil war or rebellion.

[Brutal DLX]

Ah,.... If Crete doesn't have a port, it's inaccessible for any strategic units

So, you either have to wait for them to build a port or invade with an army (no port necessary for that) and build one yourself.

Edit: If you want to drop an army there, you have to eliminate any Byzantine ships en route of your invasion path, of course. Also all ships of other countries that you are at war with currently. Strategic units just need ports to travel, no need to bother about seazones.

[MonkeyMan]

Hi Etym welcome to the org http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wave.gif

Hope your problem has been resolved, moving things by sea is one of the most common problems encountered by those new to the game, I know it took me a little time to work out what was going on http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/pat.gif

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

[Cebei]

Arrrrrrrghhh I know how you feel.. My trick was to initiate Assasin: Total War, I sent all my assasins on the creten king and emissiaries on his army... Finally after tons of dead assasins, one managed to kill the king, and my emissiaries bribed the creted army.

[King John II]

With the patch installed you can use the V key.

What that does is colour some of the sea zones in green, red or a sort of yellowy grey.

Green means you have a vessel in that zone and can trade/transport units through it. There may also be ships of other nations but they are not enemies so do not disrupt your trade/communications.

Grey means you don't have a ship in that zone but some other nation does.

Red means you have shipping there but so does an enemy. You cannot trade through that zone nor can you transport units.

No colour means no shipping.

You will have seen on the map that some of the Mediterranean islands have to be expanded and, for reasons of space, are drawn elsewhere than the sea in which they are located. I can't remember if Crete is one such. Anyway those islands have a pointer attached to them which shows you the sea zone in which they are. It is likely that when you press the V key and hold it down the sea zone in which Crete is located will be red and you will be able to find an enemy vessel there.

Once you destroy or drive off the enemies navy you will be able to mount your invasion.

By the way Crete may have no port, or an existing port may well be destroyed when you invade. So only send troops wou are willing to tie up for the four years it may take you to build a port. During that time your units will be stuck on Crete. And don't send your king.

[King John II]

With the patch installed you can use the V key.

What that does is colour some of the sea zones in green, red or a sort of yellowy grey.

Green means you have a vessel in that zone and can trade/transport units through it. There may also be ships of other nations but they are not enemies so do not disrupt your trade/communications.

Grey means you don't have a ship in that zone but some other nation does.

Red means you have shipping there but so does an enemy. You cannot trade through that zone nor can you transport units.

No colour means no shipping.

You will have seen on the map that some of the Mediterranean islands have to be expanded and, for reasons of space, are drawn elsewhere than the sea in which they are located. I can't remember if Crete is one such. Anyway those islands have a pointer attached to them which shows you the sea zone in which they are. It is likely that when you press the V key and hold it down the sea zone in which Crete is located will be red and you will be able to find an enemy vessel there.

Once you destroy or drive off the enemy's navy you will be able to mount your invasion.

By the way Crete may have no port, or an existing port may well be destroyed when you invade. So only send troops wou are willing to tie up for the four years it may take you to build a port. During that time your units will be stuck on Crete. And don't send your king.

[Etym]

Thank you, all. I did go back to the manual after posting and (DOH http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/dizzy.gif) sure enough it says I can't use a sea zone occupied by someone I'm about to declare war on. If only admiral whats-his-name at Pearl Harbor in '41 had known this, it would have saved a lot of hassle . . . .

BTW, King John, thanks for the V key tips -- I'll check that out tonite. Regards, ET

[Jacque Schtrapp]

Hi Etym http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wave.gif

Sounds like you have some Byz ships to sink before you can initiate Plan Polish Domination. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif