My English Campaign

[Kommodus]

I recently started my first campaign as the English, on Early/Expert. I was particularly looking forward to having billmen and longbowmen early in the game. After playing until around 1180, things haven't turned out quite like I expected.

First of all, I still can't build billmen or longbowmen, even though according to the requirements sheet that came with the manual, I have all the prerequisites. Do they become available in a particular year? If I should be able to build them by now, what buildings might I be missing?

Second, I'm having a lot more trouble in battles than I thought I would. This is my fourth campaign, after I've already tried the Spanish, the Turks, and the Byzantines. I did a lot better with all of those, even though the latter two were also on Expert. In this campaign, I've having a hard time getting good generals; my current king has 0 stars. Even when I do manage to get a good general, my men often have such poor morale that they get beaten by inferior troops. The enemy soldiers seem to have such a huge morale bonus that unit matchups don't make much sense anymore.

I've basically made progress only by throwing large armies at the enemy. I started by bribing Wales and conquering Ireland and Scotland. I then invaded Almohad-held Spain and conquered everything except Navarre, and then pushed the Almohads across North Africa back to Cyrenacia (on the way I suffered some embarassing defeats in which my best general was killed and my second best got the Dubious Courage vice).

Lately I invaded France and took Brittany, Toulouse, and Flanders, but two of the victories were at an extremely high cost, as the enemy militia, spearmen, and peasants chased my FMAA and FS from the field. It's become rather frustrating. My men simply won't stand against the enemy for long enough; they run away too quickly.

I'm not doing horribly; I have a good-sized economy and my fleet is pretty extensive. Battles are getting annoying to fight though, as I'm always at a disadvantage. Does anyone have any tips for playing as the English?

[YAKOBU]

Hi Kommodus

I have Viking Invasion and you can only get billmen and longbows in 1205 (they are not available in Early period).

I also play at a lower level but initially concentrate on getting Flanders and not worrying unduly about my other French provinces. This means you can concentrate your troops in 1 area thus making it more defendable. From there I take Denmark, Sweden and Norway (for trade purposes) who also have a single province front.

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

[YAKOBU]

p.s. If you do a search on here using English Strategy you should find a few good threads http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-lost.gif

[Seth Infinite]

http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/idea.gif Improve your King

If he has 0 stars then he hasn't won a battle. Get him involved. Winning that first battle should get him 1 star (General has won more battles than he has lost). Win a few more and get a second star and maybe a nice V&V.

Send off winnable Crusades to improve your Influence. Even if you can't hold a region, a successful Crusade is good.

Your Kings stats has a trickle down effect to your heirs and generals. Use your new and improved heirs as generals.

Boost your generals Valor and that greatly affects your troops. When it's safe, send your generals into battle and maybe pick up a valor or 2.

Build some of the happy houses that gives extra valor or moral in the regions that are building armies.


Just a few thoughts. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smokin.gif

[King Edward]

yup Seth is spot on, English is the faction i have tried the most, and the only sure way to get good generals is to get your king and prince's in the thick of the action, i never go on the offensive without an heir of my king in the early period, after a few years your ex heirs become the Plantangent's and make very good governors and generals.

Hope thats of some help

[garion]

yeah, the plantagenets are excellent gouvernors and as lyal as a faithfull dog

[Bhruic]

Yikes, a 0-star King. Don't think I'd let a prince live long enough to become King, if he had 0-stars.

Early game, there is no better unit available to you than your King. Unlike every other unit you'll control, your King auto heals, that is, he replenishes his stack automatically. This effectively gives you free men on a regular basis. Not using this feature is such a waste http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

In my latest Spanish game, I used my King extensively. Almost every battle ended up with him down 8-15 men. 3 turns later he'd be back to full.

So my advice? Do what Seth said, use your King to lead your battles, but especially, USE him in the battle. Don't get him killed, obviously, but use him to flank and charge some archers. Or any other fashion. Personally, I use my King to lure the enemy into my formations. They love chasing him, he loves taunting them, they love running into my hail of arrows (apparently http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-2thumbsup.gif)

Do this in enough battles, and he'll be a decent general.

Bh

[katank]

all of this is good stuff.

take out france ASAP and read some of the rush tactics in the Guide forum for the Brits.

using king is great as he auto replenishes by 5 men per turn.

RKs are so incredibly strong early in the game so take advantage of that.

use him to charge rears of enemy lines, cut down archers, etc.

just don't send him head on vs. spears or charge into armor piercing boys like UMs or worse yet Militia Seargents.

and NEVER ever send your king into the woods.

I don't care if there are only peasants in the woods, they will still have a chance at killing your king and you can't afford to lose him.

BTW, feel free to abuse your crown prince's unit as it is also replenished when he becomes king.

[mambaman]

yup all good advice-i normally play the English and find that the key is go cav heavy in the early years-even the humble hobilars are pretty effective

and the advice about the French is good-take them out early-or they will do the same for you

[katank]

as french or brits, pumping hobilars like mad is great as early on, any cav is a huge advantage and outmaneuvering them easily means you can smash into their flanks and rear easier.

also, the hobilars capture ludicrous numbers of routers who you can kill for satisfaction or ransom for money to build more units.

[Matthevv]

It seems that Scotland is a good place for training your generals/princes/king up to have lots of stars. They are very rebellious, and nice an near to hand. Once you have a general with plenty of stars you can attack the French. Take along a load of longbowmen and re-create the battle of Agincourt, Crecy etc.

[garion]

or be smart this time and do bring vast numerical strenght into action http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[katank]

I suggest rush of French very first turn.

this way you take em out a lot faster.

the longbows are awesome too.

even if in early, you can bribe wales and get 2 of em which is really strong in early.

if in high, bribing wales is again a good idea as not only do you get two longbows and a FK, you also get facilities for longbows there immediately which means valour bonused longbows in two years

I personally think that with massed longbows, you can easily win even if inferior numbers.

with billmen, they are a killer combo that can handle most things thrown at them.

[King Edward]

Im currenty playing a new early english game (GA Expert), an the best way i have found to take the french down is to ignore Britanny and Toulouse, and concentrate on taking paris.

This will result in you either killing the king and prices and turning Brit and Toulouse Rebel (you can brib a 5* UM in Britt) or if you capture the king you will get a fat ransom and will have split his kingdom in 2 so you can pick him off when you chose.

Watch out for the Aragonese and early war with franc can leave Aquitaine on Toulouse thin on the ground, so build plenty of spears (Aragoniese seem to have millions of Heirs, dunno whats in the water down there http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

After that there are number of options - war with Spain, Crusades to the holy lands, pacification of the celtic countries, Conquest of scandinavia or all out slugfeist with the HRE.

In the words (well signal flags) of Lord Nelson England expects every man to do his duty

[Colovion]

Right now Im in an English Campaign as well. I'm fighting for Toulouse and Aquitain, it's an ongoing struggle between me and the Almohads - lucky for me the Argonese came back to fight the Almohads and then get killed off again - I thought it would leave me free to swoop down into Spain but they've begun to invade my homeland via Naval fleets. Luckily I have as far east as poland and north as Sweden and am just on Italy's borders.

I've had similar problems with bad generals - mine say that they're marvelous - 7 stars - but it's for a single Urban Militia.... somehow he got to be the best General even though recently he's lost more battles than his rank really deserves. I'd say make sure that your leaders are in units that can hold their own and keep them in battle just not in the midst of it.

[garion]

Citaat[/b] (katank @ Mei 21 2004,19:56)]I suggest rush of French very first turn.
rushing, I thought you were more the kind of gy who sat and waited for new developments http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[katank]

of course I sit back and wait...

I just dont' do so the first few turns.

I also don't like to be ambiguous. what's this alliance junk? invade show em that england and france can't possibly be at peace

I always don't go after brittany but sometimes hit Touslouse.

savaing Toulouse would mean one more ransom if you don't kill the king though.

interesting.

however, you risk excomm for attackign them.

but cash is better than excomm in the early years.

[Kommodus]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys I thought I'd give an update on the campaign and let you know how it went.

I immediately set about trying to improve my 0-star king. I sent him to Flanders along with reinforcements to stave off an imminent French counterattack. They attacked with 1500 men led by a 3-star general, against my 1000-man army. It took me a few tries, but I finally defeated them (once again, I don't normally reload after defeats, but the computer has done some seemingly unfair things in this campaign, and I felt entitled to it).

That took out most of France's army, but I had lost a lot of men and needed a few turns to prepare for my next push. (I also got excommunicated; I decided I didn't care and would rather just get France out of the way). Unfortunately, the Spanish had reappeared in rebel-held Navarre a few years ago. They had several large armies composed of royal knights, feudal knights (both on horseback and on foot), spearmen, and archers. This made me nervous since I had essentially nothing there to defend the Iberian peninsula, but I quickly forged an alliance with them, thinking that would keep me relatively safe. Unfortunately, just before I was ready to push into France, the Spanish invaded my relatively undefended provinces of Castille, Aragon, and Aquitaine.

In Castille and Aquitaine, I retreated to the castle, as I had only one unit of peasants in Castille and one of mounted sergeants in Aquitaine. This was disastrous, since I had just finished building a crusade in Aquitaine, which was now lost, leaving my king with 2 influence However, I defended in Aragon, where one unit of feudal sergeants and one of peasants opposed the Spanish king and one other unit of royal knights. We set up on a mountain in the forest, and thus were able to defeat the attackers, who attacked peacemeal and were cut down. In Castille, I was shocked to realize that the Spanish had invaded with only one single mangonel (I retreated from that??) They assaulted my castle the next year anyway, but withdrew after my arrow towers shot down a few of their men.

I went ahead with my big push into France, taking Ile de France, Champagne, Lorraine, and Burgundy. This trapped most of their remaining troops, and they did not ransom them. France was split in two and had almost no army left, but they did manage to take Toulouse from me. I didn't worry, since I knew I could get it back. However, the Spanish abandoned Aquitaine, sending one large army into Britany (from which I retreated) and another back to Navarre. They also attacked Aragon again, and again I successfully defended, killing the Spanish king this time. I also relieved the siege in Castille.

I tried unsuccessfully to bribe the large Spanish army in Britany, but at least it did not attack again, and it was cut off. Instead, the Spanish attacked Aragon two more times. The first time, they had a far superior army, but sent it in piecemeal and I was able to defeat it. The second time, they again had a very good army, but this time I had lost too many men earlier to defeat it and they took the province. They moved their king and most of the rest of their army into Aragon to siege the castle, and I had no way to relieve the siege.

I retook Toulouse from the French and also took Burgundy, their last remaining province in the south. The Spanish continued to siege the castle in Aragon until it was about to fall, and then, bizarrely, assaulted it. They had only one under-manned mangonel, which the arrow towers quickly dispatched. The Spanish army was not on the same side as the gate, and thus had to march all the way around the castle to attack it. To make matters worse, they attacked with one or two units at a time, and were thus shot to pieces. At last even their king fell before the gate, and the Spanish were no more.

I noticed that my excommunication was having a devastating effect on loyalty in provinces all over my kingdom, and decided it was time for the 61-year old king to pass on. I sent him on a suicide mission against the French, from which he did not return. The new king had 3 stars, and is back in favour with the pope.

Unfortunately, the very next year the Aragonese reappeared in Aragon, with a large army of royal and feudal knights augmented by some archers and other infantry. I did not own Aragon and was thus not at war with them, but despite my peace overtures, they attacked immediately, taking Valencia and Toulouse. I plan to relieve the siege in Valencia, but I don't have the troops to completely anhihilate Aragon right now. I'll have to endure some of their mischief, since I cannot afford to be excommunicated again. However, they can expect a steady stream of assassins.

Basically, the AI is throwing all kinds of crazy challenges my way. The year is about 1193... just 37 more years until the Horde arrives to take some attention away from me. I really can't wait to get some billmen and longbowmen; I need something to counter these well-equipped faction re-emergences.

[Colovion]

Sweet - do you have a navy yet?

[SpencerH]

I'm playing an english game on expert, but I've chosen a different strategy based on taking the rich baltic states first and building trade rather than pushing into the continent.

1. Conquered Wales and Scotland. Then went after the trade rich states of Norway and Pomerania. Then Ireland, Aquitaine and Toulouse. Continuously, built trade, and stayed allied to French. Finally, took Sweden. Spanish collapse after their failed attacks on Toulouse. Rebellions within the HRE allow me to take saxony and Prussia. Danes attack Sweden but have their asses handed to them, and 3 years later are a part of the British empire. French collapse due to infertility, leaving me with rebels to buy or conquer along the english channel and northern europe. Despite my not having attacked any other country, the HRE attack me. We exchange Brandenburg a few times then I slaughter their troops. The pope intercedes, and I halt.

By 1205 I control most of northern europe. Income is huge, 300000 in the bank. Building longbows and carvels constantly. Next target is rebel Switzerland since I want the Swiss units, but just before my attack the French re-emerge with 48 units of Swiss halbs/arbs etc that they shouldnt have yet. Merde

[Kommodus]

A navy is actually one of the first things I focus on, since control of the sea is vital to victory in almost any war. I have ships in the Mediterranean all the way to Palestine and Sicily, as well as ships all over the Atlantic.

BTW, last night I finished off Aragon. I've had to fight so many battles in this campaign that I got tired of it and autoresolved some of them. Sometimes it worked OK, and sometimes it didn't. However, I have finally united Britain, Spain, France, and half of North Africa under British rule, as of the year 1203.

France still has a couple of former German provinces in Northern Europe, so I'm still at war with them, but I'll finish them off soon enough, and I'll do it in a way that'll keep me from being excommunicated. Germany reappeared, but the only province they have that borders me right now is Switzerland, which is isolated from the rest of Germany and only has a few troops (rebels joining the new faction). Bizarrely, they attacked me in Burgundy, but retreated in the face of my much larger army. So now I'm at war with Germany, but they pose no threat. I think I'll get me some Swiss halberdiers and pikemen... http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif

Anyway, I'm not sure why the AI keeps attacking me. I'm really not that big or powerful. The Egyptians, Byzantines, and Italians are all doing OK as well.

[YAKOBU]

Just a quick question for SpencerH http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif

Why do you go after the trade rich states of Norway and Pomerania first (both have 2 trade goods), I would choose Sweden and Lithuania, and if you don't mind upsetting the French, Flanders(all have 3 trade goods).

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

[King Edward]

Norway and Pomerania have Rare goods and therefor you can get a lot of trade from them as well as the three trade good provinces like Flanders, Sweden and Venice, although i still believe with its copper mines and reasonable farm income Sweden is one of the best provinces in the map.

[YAKOBU]

Cheers King Edward http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/bigthumb.gif

I had produced a region income sheet on another thread which took trade goods at face value to indicate the best provinces for trade, farming and resources. I assume therefore that regions with 2 goods either/both of which are rare rank up there with the 3 goods provinces. I wanted to prioritise my provinces and trade initially from 3 good provinces, but I may also bring in the good 2 goods provinces.

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

[SpencerH]

Sweden also has iron, which adds to its value for me, but it was defended by a hefty army including the rebels who had retreated from Norway (which is just 2 fleets from Britain).

Lithuania and Livonia are both good trda states too, but require high numbers of troops to maintain loyalty/security. Flanders requires fighting the French and a likely early contact with the HRE (which is likely to be violent). I choose to take the easier rich pickings from the rebels during the early game then expand as circumstances warrant.

[katank]

I never found early war with HRE to be a problem.

they don't have any cav early on and your hobilars from Aquitaine are invaluable in being able to outmaneuver anything and pour flanks attack to rout even spears

Also, sacking Lorraine, Freisland, Burguandy, and Provence reduces your borders significantly.

Isn't it annoying that champagne sticks out like a sore thumb and that burgundy is attached to Anjou in addition to Ile de France and Toulouse?

fix it by taking it

sweden is a sweet province. iron province with huscarle production=uber infantry that's not easily counterable in early, capable of owning foot knights

I always find killing French to be good policy and bribing wales to be nice.

I've never had peaceful french although I never left them alone.

I personally have a theory about fear factor (how incompatible they are) which is a function of say the sum of squares of adjacent homelands and counting say double the number of mutual homelands and the Brits/French have ones of the highest in the game.