An annoying phenomenon on the Strategic Map

[Ferocious Imbecile]

When I'm playing on the strategic map, I'm finding that my enemies can suddenly drop an attacking army upon me from nowhere. My spies have thoroughly explored the enemy hinterland, and my border posts are looking in on my neighbouring provinces but whole armies just fly in out of the blue to attack my provinces while my own armies must plod province by province or by sea from one of my ports to another. Can someone explain this?

[Cyricist]

Let me guess.... It happens in domains with ports in em? Or not?

If so, there is your answer. ANY port can connect to ANY other port, regardless of nationality. Thus an army may 'land' in a province with a port and totally 'surprise' you. You, however, can do the same. The only ting you need to know for sure is the fact that there IS a harbor there. To verify it, and pave the way for your troops:
1) Take an emisary (these guys can run around the known map WITHOUT restriction when you pick them up and put them down), put him in an area with a port beloning to you (not sure if this is 100% necessary).
2) In the next turn, take your emisary and look around the map. Domains with harbors in em should be visible.
3) Drop your emisary in one of the territories (the one you wish to invade by sea).
4) Next get your army (which can be in any friendly territory with a port) and sail them right up to his front door http://www.totalwar.org/ubb/smile.gif

Tried this a couple of times and it HELPED!


Defending an area with a port can be a different matter. I always make ports, preferably, in areas with rivers through it. These require smaller garrisons due to bottlenecks (bridges). Also have a good castle ready to defend. If you have more than one port you may send reinforcements quickly, so hauling up in your castle temporarily is oft a good alternative to active defending. Of course, leaving the OTHER port (from whence you send reinforcements) unprotected is not to be advised!!

[kamizaki_nurizeko]

i dunno why but i got that sudden *spark* thats stranley got me wanting to play shogun total war again O.o

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The bell rings against a hollow sky; the raven caws...NO MERCY!...all samurai walk the path to nothingness.~Kuroi Sabato

[Ferocious Imbecile]

Quote Originally posted by kamizaki_nurizeko:
i dunno why but i got that sudden *spark* thats stranley got me wanting to play shogun total war again O.o

[/QUOTE]

I just bought it in August and I am obsessed with it, and heavily prostelyzing it to all my friends. It may be old to all you guys, but it is hitting them as a revelation when I bring my Toshiba Satellite 5000 X1Z with a 15.1" screen over to their houses. And it's making me fall deeper and deeper in love with Japanese culture too; Kurosawa movies and trips to Kamei Royale and lobster miso soup; mmmmmm, good! http://www.totalwar.org/ubb/biggrin.gif