France Late hard??

[Elfraj]

New player here. I practice a lot: custom battles and various factions and periods. I play hard or expert. I have done very well so far. But....

...Playing France late period on hard seems overwhelming. (the game calls it easy http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-dizzy2.gif )

I have started 5 or 6 times. Within one to three moves the attacks begin in twos, sometimes threes, or even fours. Italy and germany, Switzerland, England, Aragon, Spain. Relentlessly. Defend Normandy? they attack Provence; I run to Provence the Swiss attack Burgundy. etc

In my other games I usually do better on the battle field than automatic computation.. but Urban militias can't compete with armored Swiss pikemen.

I have plenty of florins. I train as many troops as possible, spread them around, upgrade facilities asap, max out the generals and hire mercenaries, but I can't hold on to all of my provinces. The pace of attacks and the level of enemy troops make it impossible to get the 10 or so years I need to get strong enough. Then the ever helpful pope excoms me to add insult to frustration.

Should I attack immediately? or accept the loss of a province or two as I consolidate my kingdom? Any strategies out there?

[Elfraj]

I just tried again and survived till 1343. But I was still being attacked by one or more faction every single turn. (It's exhausting) I attacked my neighbours on all sides from the first turn. I hired mercs and used a scorched earth strategy, ruining the Italians, English and Aragonese. I took their border provinces and destroyed every building on them. I then immediately moved out.

I've had no way to develop my economy: just cut-throat constant warfare. I am still weak and one battle away from disaster.
Is there a more elegant way to play as the French in late-hard? http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-wall.gif

[Gregoshi]

Greeting, the beleagured one named Elfraj http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wave.gif

Alas I cannot help you in your dilemma, but I'm sure someone out there has some nifty tips for you.

[Accounting Troll]

Ally with the Swiss and Italians as soon as you can in order to ensure that they pick a fight with Germany in the early years. Also, ally with Spain so they concentrate against the Almohads.

Don't bother allying with Aragon - as soon as go go to war with England, the Aragonese will attack you whatever you do. I tend to launch my first attack on Aragon as soon as I can, and autoresolve the attack on the castle for the ransom.

War with England is inevitable - bribe Scotland if you can so that the English have to face a potential attack from three directions. As soon as you can, launch a simultaneous attack on Aquitaine, Wessex and Northumbria.

Make sure the general defending Aquitaine survives the battle and then auto resolve the castle assault. He is high command/dread and low loyalty so dissident English barons will unite behind him and start a civil war. If you can conquer mainland Britain (ireland can be left until later) and Aragon, you will have the resources to go on the offensive in either Spain or Central Europe.

When you fight the Swiss Armoured Pikemen, remember that no individual unit can beat them in a 1v1. Try using your arlabesters to thin them out a little, attack them with chivalric men at arms and then hit them in the rear with heavy cavalry.

[Elfraj]

http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-clown.gif
Thanks for the highly developped game plan, Accounting . I will implement it asap.

[Accounting Troll]

As long as you don't blame me too much if you lose http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

I generally prefer to ally with my neighbours and then launch a backstabbing invasion when they start fighting someone else, and I use my inquisitors to get rid of important enemy generals who aren't ready to rebel.

[Duke Dick]

Quote[/b] (Accounting Troll @ April 10 2004,13:34)]I generally prefer to ally with my neighbours and then launch a backstabbing invasion when they start fighting someone else, and I use my inquisitors to get rid of important enemy generals who aren't ready to rebel.
thats exactly what i do whenever i get to play mtw, its a good strategy. the other thing you can do is try and ally with your immediate neighbours, and spend time improving your army and buildings, so that when you are ready to start fighting, your army is a good size, and you have many allies.

On the otherhand, you can just violently invade the surrounding states, and pray to god you get lucky. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-jester.gif

[katank]

allies are useless back stabbers invade them all. mad rush guts or glory works for me fine.

BTW, kill aragon ASAP is good idea. they seem to be programmed to want toulouse.

also, in late you get ransom for kick em off continent.