Best Campaign

[Bombasticus Maximus]

It's good to see the seleucids finally getting payback on the Egytpians. I have allied with carthage and gace them messana. as I plan on going east after I take italy anyways.

[Avicenna]

Alexand of the Selucids is NOT the great, I repeat. Alexander III died, otherwise the Diadochi wars wouldn't have happened and the Selucid Empire wouldn't be formed. The only possibility is some other person called Alexander. Alexander III's son Alexander IV was also dead by the game's start. Anyway, RTW vanilla is not historically accurate, CA just tried to make a fun game.

[Avicenna]

Garvanko: why go for so much profit? Making the armies larger keeps your lands safer, and keeping your money down is always good: keeps the family members less corrupt and useless.

[Garvanko]

I agree Tiberius. I was only mentioning how much I make. Usually, I try and spend as much of it as I can every turn (90%) by queuing up units and buildings.

My campaign has hit a mjor phase - Open confrontation with the Romans and Seleucids. And the Selucids are now training Elephants and Cataphracts. I'll post shots later.

[Avicenna]

Queuing is a waste of money, though, and kind of an exploit. You should just hire lots of units and make a lot of armies. When even that isn't enough, bribe a few enemy generals.

[Garvanko]

Its the only way to keep under 50k and reduce corruption when your loaded with cash.

[Bombasticus Maximus]

My war with the romans.
I have control or Capua so Carthage and Numidia are safe, I have a army of light lancers x5 One general and the rest armoured hoplites martching down onto Julii lands to take them down. I also have around 5 units of armoured hoplites and 3 units of archers taking one of the brutii settlements. So all is going well. When italy is mine I will work on macedon, dacia and thrace then swing around into asia minor.

[Garvanko]

Campaign going well so far. making slow inroads into Asia Minor in the West, the baltics up north, and down south...

..early days, taking on the Romans in Italy.
https://img338.imageshack.us/img338/1593/earlydaystakingontheromansinit.th.jpg (https://img338.imageshack.us/my.php?image=earlydaystakingontheromansinit.jpg)

Asia Minor shots.

Pyrrhus having fun in Asia Minor.. The young General Assandros merely there to learn from a Legend.
https://img429.imageshack.us/img429/3239/pyrrhushavingfun9ve.th.jpg (https://img429.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pyrrhushavingfun9ve.jpg)

Seleucid sends its big guns.. this looks like it will be a test of courage..!
https://img338.imageshack.us/img338/7825/seleucidbiggunscomeouttoplay2b.th.jpg (https://img338.imageshack.us/my.php?image=seleucidbiggunscomeouttoplay2b.jpg)

Alas, what was the enemy thinking..? killed off by Militia Cav!!
https://img429.imageshack.us/img429/2793/killedthemoffwithmymilitiacav7.th.jpg (https://img429.imageshack.us/my.php?image=killedthemoffwithmymilitiacav7.jpg)

Lots of fun in this campaign. The Area of Recruitment gives access to so many new units in the different regions, my armies are now highly flexible.

[Bombasticus Maximus]

Is there anyway for me to get macedon cav without getting a mod.

[Ciaran]

Apart from playing with Macedonia? Only if there´s a mercenary variant, bribing a Macedonian army won´t do you no good, unlike MTW you don´t take over bribed units, they disband immediately.

[Bombasticus Maximus]

Well i'll have to look for a tutorial that allows me to change the units. Is there one on this site?

[Severous]

Nice set of pictures Garvanko. Some big stacks fighting it out.

I am early in my first VH/VH campaign. I dont have problems making money and these Egyptians are making a fortune already. Yet ive just got a taste of what this highest difficulty is going to do on the campaign map.

Pontus declares war with a reasonable force seiging Tarsus. Seleucid also starts a seige of Antioch. Also a big stack of rebels pops up in the middle. Theres a stack of Perthians on the loose down the bottom right and another Seleucid stack heading for Palmyra.

https://img428.imageshack.us/img428/4484/egypt264w1campaign2is.th.jpg (https://img428.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt264w1campaign2is.jpg)

Time to go shopping.....
https://img442.imageshack.us/img442/8819/egypt263s2cretemercs0re.th.jpg (https://img442.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt263s2cretemercs0re.jpg)

[Bombasticus Maximus]

I had to start again as the mal followed every AI army. I started as Dacia someone I have never been before. I went top war with the thrace and took Campus Getae which made them pretty mad. Screenshots soon.

[Garvanko]

Pontus declares war with a reasonable force seiging Tarsus. Seleucid also starts a seige of Antioch. Also a big stack of rebels pops up in the middle. Theres a stack of Perthians on the loose down the bottom right and another Seleucid stack heading for Palmyra.

https://img428.imageshack.us/img428/4484/egypt264w1campaign2is.th.jpg (https://img428.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt264w1campaign2is.jpg)
Amazing how the AI always gangs up on you in these situations. I bet Pontus and the Seleucids have a rock solid Alliance going..

My Greek campaign is hitting a wall with the Seleucids. They keep sending Elephants and Silver Shields.

I lost this army to one such attack - notice the General was re-armoured into a semi-cataphract!
https://img230.imageshack.us/img230/8175/retrainedgeneral2wu.th.jpg (https://img230.imageshack.us/my.php?image=retrainedgeneral2wu.jpg)

Pyrrhus is dead! Gone to meet the Gods at the ripe old age of 78. His son succeeded him as Faction Leader, and followed his father's footsteps in defending Asia Minor from the threat in the East!

[Garvanko]

Hell, RTW cd won't load. It keeps going back to the desktop before it gets to the intro.

Might lose my campaign! Arrggh!

Edit: Its not the Mod causing it.

[Severous]

Good luck Garvanko. Your save should be ok though shouldnt it ? Even if you reinstall ? Im no expert on these things but hope you will be ok.

Outnumbered I dont expect to win this sally forth from the seige of Palmyra

https://img435.imageshack.us/img435/4581/egypt263s4palmyrasally45jw.th.jpg (https://img435.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt263s4palmyrasally45jw.jpg)

But I will kill a few peasants before letting the battle timer run down and end in a draw. Infact it turned out that it was my slingers who did most damage. Big stones fired into the backs of hoplites cut down the size of this army.

https://img326.imageshack.us/img326/825/egypt263s4palmyrasally104zf.th.jpg (https://img326.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt263s4palmyrasally104zf.jpg)

I expected the beseiging army to assault Palmyra on its turn. And sure enough the old battle music started. But surprise. It was the beseiging army sure enough..but it had lifted the seige. It had gone back to attack my field army.

https://img440.imageshack.us/img440/4140/egypt263s5seleucidattack15as.th.jpg (https://img440.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt263s5seleucidattack15as.jpg)

I was far better equiped to fight this battle. After a big fight between the mounted men it became a shoot out.

https://img339.imageshack.us/img339/8165/egypt263s5seleucidattack73nh.th.jpg (https://img339.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt263s5seleucidattack73nh.jpg)

Men on the bridge made a nice target.
https://img457.imageshack.us/img457/9808/egypt263s5seleucidattack86mo.th.jpg (https://img457.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt263s5seleucidattack86mo.jpg)

Result! Enemy attack me and I get man of the hour...despite having my best general also in the battle. I now have two generals with the same unpronouncable name.
https://img258.imageshack.us/img258/640/egypt263s5seleucidattack105jp.th.jpg (https://img258.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt263s5seleucidattack105jp.jpg)

PS.And my main general has got a gold chevron. Thats my first ever in an Imperial campaign and earned the hard way.

[Garvanko]

Its gone Severous. Had to do a completely new installation. That was one decent campaign, I lost. Going to start a new one as the Seleucids.. :gah2:

Well done on getting a MoTH, though. Can't remember the last time I had one!

On second thoughts, think i'll try the Egyptians as well.

[Garvanko]

Egyptian campaign started well (XGM Mod). Got an Alliance with the Seleucids which allowed me to focus on the economic build early on. I also took Siwa and Petra pretty quickly. Rebels have proved a headache in and around the triumvirate of Alexandria (one rebel army actually had the audacity to seige my capital!), Memphis and Thebes.

I then launched a strategic attack on Kydonia and Rhodes!
https://img208.imageshack.us/img208/8234/rhodestaken8xp.th.jpg (https://img208.imageshack.us/my.php?image=rhodestaken8xp.jpg)

The Greek Cities didn't like it, but accepted a ceasefire straightaway! Naval trade will get a boost and my economy is really picking up again - making 10k profit (almost!). It needs to grow quickly though, as the Seleucids have just revoked our treaty arrangements and are looking to pick a fight soonish.

My army at Sidon should be able to handle the first few waves if and when they arrive..
https://img258.imageshack.us/img258/4033/peacetime6fi.th.jpg (https://img258.imageshack.us/my.php?image=peacetime6fi.jpg)

The triumvirate are growing as rapidly as one expects given their grain resource, so most of my troops should come from there. I built highways early on, so moving them about will be easier. Now I just need to keep training Desert Cav, Chariots, Archers and Axemen for the eventual showdown with the SE.

Note to self: Don't mess about with moddable files!

[Severous]

Sorry to hear you lost your campaign. I dont mod partly because I fear such outcomes.

Nice to see another Egyptian campaign. Havnt seen one of those before and can now see what you are doing. I see you will soon overtake me...I played only one battle yesterday.

Day before though I had a bit more time and fought for Tarsus.

https://img221.imageshack.us/img221/1500/egypt263w1sallytarsus12je.th.jpg (https://img221.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt263w1sallytarsus12je.jpg)

This was the second Pontic army to seige Tarsus. I sally forth as shown. But couldnt cripple the Pontic cavalry so a draw. Later in the same turn I brought up the Antioch govornor. His chariot added to the reinforcements allowed a second battle that same turn. The garrison this time was the reinforcements and the batle fought in the hills outside Tarsus. General made all the difference and that Pontic force was sent on its way.

Greek battles coming later this week.

[Avicenna]

Garvanko, next time this happens, copy the save file and put it somewhere safe so you can play it again even after reinstalling. Sorry to hear you lost your save. To keep you treasury under fifty, just bribe a lot of generals or create multiple elite-only armies, which should drain your coffers pretty quickly. Doesn't exactly take a genius to figure that one out :wink:

[Garvanko]

Ah well, that campaign was fun while it lasted I guess. Cheers, guys.


To keep you treasury under fifty, just bribe a lot of generals or create multiple elite-only armies, which should drain your coffers pretty quickly. Doesn't exactly take a genius to figure that one out :wink:Im not a fan of fielding lots of elites. And as for bribing generals - never do it because the prices for them are unrealistic. Keeping under 50k isn't hard, keeping under 100k is.

[Bombasticus Maximus]

My latest campaign is with Dacia I have destroyed thrace and I am going into asia monor where the real money is like for instance I am getting over 1000 a turn from the two greek settlements. I sent my diplomat to rome for trade rights and see this.
Click here to see image (http://picserver.student.utwente.nl/v/53BTV4DZ0457)

Atilla in the early days...
https://img204.imageshack.us/img204/2502/picture0019pz.th.png (https://img204.imageshack.us/my.php?image=picture0019pz.png)
I did not want to send him west as he might attack romans :laugh4:

[Garvanko]

Atilla in the early days...
https://img204.imageshack.us/img204/2502/picture0019pz.th.png (https://img204.imageshack.us/my.php?image=picture0019pz.png)
I did not want to send him west as he might attack romans :laugh4:Heh! Well, we all got to start somewhere!

My campaign rolls on, slowly.. I managed to get the Alliance with the Seleucids back but, like clockwork they revoked it again! This time, I don't think they'll want to talk..
https://img141.imageshack.us/img141/9544/likeclockwork9dp.th.jpg (https://img141.imageshack.us/my.php?image=likeclockwork9dp.jpg)

I took Halicarnassus, but the AI surprised me with a quick two pronged attack..
https://img141.imageshack.us/img141/7671/aisurprises7fr.th.jpg (https://img141.imageshack.us/my.php?image=aisurprises7fr.jpg)

I won the bridge battle easily.. I just find it funny to see the AI rout straight into my spears. Relieved the settlement, and continued to build up my forces at Jerusalem and Sidon.

Targets for the next 10 turns or so.

1)Take Antioch, Palmyra and Damscus.. Tarsus if possible.
2)Harass the Seluecids near Sardis - keep them occupied on two fronts
3)Take Cyrene
4)Get Trade Agreements with Rome, and agree ATM packages with Gaul and Spain.

[Diurpaneus]

my julii campaign

marius reforms still not occured ~:(

seleucids are doing quite good ,that because i've weaken egypt by modifying te troop aspects for example...desert axemen...i made them light infantry wit 3 attack and 1 charge instead of heavy infantry...all the units I've weaken them ~:)...and the results you can see tem in the campaign map

Im at war now with Carthage,Gaul and Germania

I conquered Marsilia and Narbo Martius but i lost them...now im preparing a strong army at Osca to get them back

https://img86.imageshack.us/img86/5170/untitled1024x7681op.th.jpg (https://img86.imageshack.us/my.php?image=untitled1024x7681op.jpg)

I want to achieve world domination in this campaign so i will come back with some new screenies

[Severous]

An update on my RTW V1.5 Vh/Vh Egyptian Campaign. Done a few more battles.

Have captured Crete and Rhodes from the Greeks. Also attacking Perthia and Seleucid as I work my way north. Rule the eastern med seas except for a pirate stack of 3x50 ships. Allied with Carthage who have their hands full against Roman and Spanish so wont be a threat to my African interests.

Think the Greeks will send armies to Crete on a regular basis so expecting to earn tons of experience. I deliberately send few troops against the Greek attackers in order to create unfavourable odds and thus more experience for those combatants I want to develop.

With odds in the Greeks favour this will be Heroic if won.
https://img365.imageshack.us/img365/282/egypt263w1crete8zc.th.jpg (https://img365.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt263w1crete8zc.jpg)

Chariots riding through enemy Peasants dont kill them. They stand up again. Target practice for the archers.
https://img460.imageshack.us/img460/3673/egypt263w1crete24dt.th.jpg (https://img460.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt263w1crete24dt.jpg)

Enemy general (Faction leader) is the primary target of my archers. But if infantry present their backs downhill from the chariots then they become targets.
https://img136.imageshack.us/img136/5637/egypt263w1crete32lz.th.jpg (https://img136.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt263w1crete32lz.jpg)

Was a Heroic victory soon after this shot. Cut that a bit fine. Nearly run out of arrows.
https://img151.imageshack.us/img151/5787/egypt263w1crete44su.th.jpg (https://img151.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt263w1crete44su.jpg)

[Avicenna]

Orgahs, you should really consider trying a mod. Vanilla's just so boring and repetitive...

[Craterus]

Usually people recommend a mod in posts like that... :idea2:

[The Stranger]

try EB which you can find in the EB subforum. in the Mod subforum you can find quite alot of mods though most are not finished.

Rome Total Realism is also very good. i though their site was www.rometotalrealism.com but you can find their link and also links to alot of other mods on www.twcenter.com

[Avicenna]

I decided to allow TS go gain a +1 I guess.

Almost all the mods are good, so why just recommend one? Different people enjoy different mods after all, and I'm no expert on them.

[Ludens]

Rome Total Realism is also very good. i though their site was www.rometotalrealism.com but you can find their link and also links to alot of other mods on www.twcenter.com
Actually, www.rometotalrealism.com was the R:TR forum, but is now owned by someone that is not connected (anymore?) to the R:TR team. The real R:TR website is at www.rometotalrealism.org. You can get the latest updates and find the forums there.

Otherwise, I agree completely with you.

[Garvanko]

Usually people recommend a mod in posts like that... :idea2:
I absolutely recommend the Extended Greek Mod.


My campaign with Egypt is going steadily so far. Ive been defending Sidon, Damascus and Plmyra from large Seleucid stacks for the past ten turns or so. This has weakened them somewhat, and I thus felt sufficiently confident to contemplate a major counter-strike..

Strategically, the goal was to isolate their biggest roving army. Captain Pamiu prepares to attack the seiging Seleucids at Palmyra.
https://img242.imageshack.us/img242/7105/captainpaimu5wp.th.jpg (https://img242.imageshack.us/my.php?image=captainpaimu5wp.jpg)

But first Heruben, my main General, must deal with the key battle of 254BC - defeat the garrison at Antioch as they sally forth to meet him on the field. Heruben gets +3 command when defending! He's no slouch.
https://img242.imageshack.us/img242/921/herubentakingantioch9ik.th.jpg (https://img242.imageshack.us/my.php?image=herubentakingantioch9ik.jpg)

I'll have screenshots of the battle for Antioch later tonight, I hope!

As the Seleucids grow weaker in the East, my forces are beginning to amass in Asia Minor. Taking Antioch is key, though. Its the most advanced city in the area, and will be a launching pad for my conquest of Pontus, Parthia and Armenia.

Alexandria and Memphis will handle the growing Carthaginian threat - already a full stack has showed up along my western border in Libya.

[Garvanko]

Antioch was taken - the battle took the full 40 minutes as i just sat outside and let them sally while I shot them to pieces. Tried to go in at one point, but boiling oil and towers were causing too many casualties - I play with unlimited ammo (unrealistic I know, but it I love Archers)..

Battle ended in a draw..
https://img516.imageshack.us/img516/9793/adraw6bb.th.jpg (https://img516.imageshack.us/my.php?image=adraw6bb.jpg)

But the Archers were the real heroes today..
https://img516.imageshack.us/img516/5102/archersweretherealheroes9eq.th.jpg (https://img516.imageshack.us/my.php?image=archersweretherealheroes9eq.jpg)

I got a Man of the Hour fighting the Seleucids - a certain captain Pamiu - remember him!! That big stack seiging Palmyra did as i expected and tried to race back to relieve Antioch. Pamiu held out and made a name for himself!
https://img84.imageshack.us/img84/4901/manofthehour0gg.th.jpg (https://img84.imageshack.us/my.php?image=manofthehour0gg.jpg)

And another even better one fighting some rebels!
https://img516.imageshack.us/img516/5985/anotherone6xh.th.jpg (https://img516.imageshack.us/my.php?image=anotherone6xh.jpg)

Pontus getting flanked by Levy Phalangites (or Nile Spearmen in vanilla).. Instant rout on that one!
https://img516.imageshack.us/img516/673/pontusflanked0de.th.jpg (https://img516.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pontusflanked0de.jpg)

Just Tarsus to take and the Seleucids will be ready for a ceasefire agreement. I really hate Pontus, though. Along with the Gauls they really are a despicable, opportunistic, knife in your back faction.

[Severous]

Hi

^Garvanko. Big battles you are having. I see your general has managed to get 3 gold chevrons. He must have shot a few thousand to achieve that.

My Egyptians are also fighting Pontus (and Selucid, Greece, Perthia, Pirates)

Here is my attacking force pushing out of Tarsus into Pontic lands. It built a fort at the limit of its movement. Too many Scythed Chariots around to risk camping out in the open without fortifications. Pontus attacked anyway. Laid seige to the fort. Three chariots in that army meant it would have been tough had they caught me in the open.

https://img50.imageshack.us/img50/1071/egypt262s2fortsallypontus6vu.th.jpg (https://img50.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt262s2fortsallypontus6vu.jpg)

On my turn I attacked. Sally forth. Well me General in his chariot did. The rest of the army stayed safe inside the fortifcations.

https://img515.imageshack.us/img515/8152/egypt262s2fortsallypontus24dh.th.jpg (https://img515.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt262s2fortsallypontus24dh.jpg)

Fire !

https://img118.imageshack.us/img118/2069/egypt262s2fortsallypontus38ru.th.jpg (https://img118.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt262s2fortsallypontus38ru.jpg)

Running amok towards their own lines.

https://img391.imageshack.us/img391/7758/egypt262s2fortsallypontus43kb.th.jpg (https://img391.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt262s2fortsallypontus43kb.jpg)

General took up position on the hill. Firing down into the Pontic army.

https://img525.imageshack.us/img525/3465/egypt262s2fortsallypontus57oz.th.jpg (https://img525.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt262s2fortsallypontus57oz.jpg)

Heroic Victory and my third famous battle marker of the campaign. Onward to Mazoka next turn.

[Garvanko]

Severous, Im seiging Mazaka myself right now. Should be fun to see how you deal with them



^Garvanko. Big battles you are having. I see your general has managed to get 3 gold chevrons. He must have shot a few thousand to achieve that..Generals in this XGM mod have a bodyguard of Heavy Cavalry, not Chariots.

Heruben the Conquerer
https://img55.imageshack.us/img55/2113/herubentheconquerer4zn.th.jpg (https://img55.imageshack.us/my.php?image=herubentheconquerer4zn.jpg)

Key Retinue
1. Swordbearer +1 Personal Security, +1 Valour of Bodyguards
2. Chief Eunuch +2 Personal security, +1 Valour of Bodyguards
3. Bodyguard +2 Personal Securoty, +2 Valour of Bodyguards

Traits
1. A Bit Paranoid +3 Personal Security
2. Security Consious +2 Personal Security
3. Been in the Wars +2 Hit Points

He's also my faction heir +2 Personal Security.

Is he immortal?

This guy will probably die quietly in his sleep somewhere in deep in Scythia.

[Severous]

You go first with Mazaka. My account is somewhat special but in a boring sort of way.

Edit: Here is Africa. Putting down a rebel General.
https://img276.imageshack.us/img276/5462/egypt262s1rebelsiwa0om.th.jpg (https://img276.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt262s1rebelsiwa0om.jpg)

Grabbed the high ground in the centre and was never threatened. High ground gave me longer range against the enemy Bowmen who never got a shot off. Lost only 4 of my Desert Cavalry who met the Enemy Generals charge. Later worked out that the enemy only killed one of my men (in the whole battle)..the other three were lost due to friendly fire into the melee.

I have to decide next turn if this general goes West. To break my alliance with Carthage or not. :sweatdrop:

Ive got Heruben as well. 10* ! Last action was alone against 121 rebel peasants near Susa. Odds in his favour 10:1. Killed them all for no loss. Went from no experience to 2 experience.

[Garvanko]

Taking Mazaka

Started with a pretty strong lineup.

5 Phalangites
2 Cicilian Pirates
2 Ethiopian Axemen
4 Camel Archers
4 Desert Cavalry
1 Merc unit (Cav)

https://img397.imageshack.us/img397/7098/battlelineup2cs.th.jpg (https://img397.imageshack.us/my.php?image=battlelineup2cs.jpg)

Attacked with the ram. Infantry moved in slowly, while Camel Archers kept the Pontic missile units at bay.
https://img397.imageshack.us/img397/9168/ramatwork2gb.th.jpg (https://img397.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ramatwork2gb.jpg)

Once I was in, it became a streetfight. Who were the stronger phalangites, i wonder? Who would win out in the end? Time for my Axemen and Pirates to get involved..
https://img397.imageshack.us/img397/674/phalangites0cx.th.jpg (https://img397.imageshack.us/my.php?image=phalangites0cx.jpg)

Pontus was pushed back to the town square, where I rushed in with my shock troops..
https://img137.imageshack.us/img137/4095/shadowloomsoverthetownsquare2f.th.jpg (https://img137.imageshack.us/my.php?image=shadowloomsoverthetownsquare2f.jpg)

Camel Archers provided missile support and took out the enemy peltasts..
https://img137.imageshack.us/img137/5389/camelarchersprovidemissilesupp.th.jpg (https://img137.imageshack.us/my.php?image=camelarchersprovidemissilesupp.jpg)

In the end, it was fairly comfortable. Heruben probably wished he was back in Antioch.:book:
https://img118.imageshack.us/img118/179/clearvictory4ip.th.jpg (https://img118.imageshack.us/my.php?image=clearvictory4ip.jpg)

Next targets.. Hatra and Ancyra.

[Severous]

Nice big fight well presented. Thanks Garvanko.

Heres my Egyptian capture of the same city.

My forces could just reach the town walls.

No seige was necessary. Spys opened the gates. So I assaulted same turn I arrived.

There were only two defenders. Scythed Chariot and a General.

I sent the Scythian Horse archer mercenaries in through the open gate you used. When they got in range of a unit in the plaza they fired at will. The enemy came after my horse archers which I withdrew out through the gate. This drew the enemy towards the gate. My ranged units outside the town fired at will once the enemy was lured into range. Then enemy soon tured back to the plaza.

Repeated this 3 times. First time it was the general who came down the road, then the Scythed Chariot.. twice. On its second pursuit it was hit by a big volley and 'ran amok'. I was running my troops away from the gate incase it came my way. It didnt. Instead it went into the plaza where the AI general was standing. Chariots killed its own general. The city was mine. Couldnt believe it. I wish I was quicker with the print screen..missed a great shot of the Pontic general being mowed down by a Pontic chariot.

https://img82.imageshack.us/img82/2898/egypt262wwmazaka21qv.th.jpg (https://img82.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt262wwmazaka21qv.jpg)

https://img72.imageshack.us/img72/9264/egypt262wwmazaka18hv.th.jpg (https://img72.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt262wwmazaka18hv.jpg)

[Garvanko]

Haha! Thats just class. Killed by his own crazy Chariots. Brilliant stuff. I was gonna say 'why not just auto-resolve that?' but I guess seeing that was worth the effort. Fantastic.

[Bombasticus Maximus]

How much money are you getting out of Jerusalem?

[Severous]

Heres where I got up to tonight. Seleucid and Pontus destroyed.

https://img54.imageshack.us/img54/7493/egypt260s9nq.th.jpg (https://img54.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt260s9nq.jpg)

My first Egyptian faction leader to die. 64+ years old. He died the first turn I moved him out of a city and left on the road to another city. Wonder if thats a coincidence.

The two pirate ships in the corner have been ignored so far. They have been sitting doing nothing all game. Until now. I dont recall ever seeing a rebel pirate ship blockade a port.

Armenia attacked me over that same end of turn. I had been hoping to go west into Greece with most of my Egyptian army. Insead I will now go north..as well as west. The mountain passes of northern Armenia will make a good defensive line once Ive added their regions to mine.


Sardis was the last Seleucid city. Both Faction leader and heir were present. Both were killed by a single amok Scythed chariot.
https://img293.imageshack.us/img293/3396/egypt261w10sardis38pm.th.jpg (https://img293.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt261w10sardis38pm.jpg)
That chariot was the top killer of the battle. I believe it caused all 167 of the enemy 'friendly fire' casualties.


PS. Will post Jerusalem Income figure tommorrow evening.

[Garvanko]

My campaign continues to mirror yours Severous. Carthage decided to attack me as soon as they finished off Numidia. I was prepared for them though - I had three stacks waiting for them on my western border in Siwa province.

Bit of brinksmanship ensued before I ganged up on one of their big stacks.
https://img91.imageshack.us/img91/2453/battleisjoined3mk.th.jpg (https://img91.imageshack.us/my.php?image=battleisjoined3mk.jpg)

The AI Reinforcements was taking a few too many risks with its General for my liking.:sweatdrop:
https://img91.imageshack.us/img91/466/aigeneraltakingafewtoomanyrisk.th.jpg (https://img91.imageshack.us/my.php?image=aigeneraltakingafewtoomanyrisk.jpg)

My own General held it together though, and soon the enemy was routing.
https://img91.imageshack.us/img91/8931/generalhavingfun9yl.th.jpg (https://img91.imageshack.us/my.php?image=generalhavingfun9yl.jpg)

Wouldn't you love to get behind one of these - not sure how you hold on, though!
https://img91.imageshack.us/img91/8566/tyoulovetobebehindoneofthese9c.th.jpg (https://img91.imageshack.us/my.php?image=tyoulovetobebehindoneofthese9c.jpg)

Victory and Glory!
https://img240.imageshack.us/img240/7453/victorycarthage2sg.th.jpg (https://img240.imageshack.us/my.php?image=victorycarthage2sg.jpg)

Ive pushed the carthaginians back with my solid defence and am now forcing my way into their territory. Heruben the Conquerer also arrived on a massive Trireme fleet to bolster the command:2thumbsup:

My next targets - take Lepis, Thapsus and Carthage, then Sicily.

[Bombasticus Maximus]

I have also started a campaign as the egyptians on m/m and all is going well. I am not fighting the seleucids just yet as I plan on taking parthia's settlements and then circling round into asia monor. This is the settlement plans for my biggest profit cities.
Jerusalem.
https://img95.imageshack.us/img95/5214/jerusalem5wp.png

Salamis
https://img238.imageshack.us/img238/502/salamis5vf.png
I even got over 10,000 a turn.

[Garvanko]

Jerusalem will have to upgrade to a Councillors Chamber in a turn or two, so best not to queue the buildings like that!

[Bombasticus Maximus]

Maybe so but if they start to get unsure or rebel i will just lower the tax for a while then put it back up.

[Garvanko]

Yeah, but if you lower taxes, you will get in the red very quickly, and won't be able to afford anything, let alone all those buildings.. Rebellious cities make losses, and low taxes isn't going to bring that cashflow back anytime soon. As soon as a government building becomes available, it should take priority, especially with Egypt. Egypt has unbelievable population growth throughout the game, and every settlment will surely rebel if it doesn't have the best possible govt building at its centre.

Academies and Execution Squares are also very important for the law bonuses.

Academies + Temples, especially to Set or Horus + Govt building + Execution Square = Paradise. :2thumbsup:

In any case, I generally find that queuing lots of buildings early on generally leads to bankruptcy.

[Bombasticus Maximus]

Once again the campaign is becoming too easy for me and I want a challenge. What is the best numidian infantry unit and what's there best cav?

[Avicenna]

Numidian Legionaries, but they require a high barracks level I think. Numidian generals, but they're rare (obviously). Numidian Cavalry should be good, being decent in melee and quite powerful with their initial javelin volleys. They're also easily replaceable.

[Bombasticus Maximus]

Hmm only if they had armoured horsemen.

[Severous]

Good evening.

Here are the Jerusalem income details requested. Not as good as yours.

https://img358.imageshack.us/img358/1120/egypt260s1jerusalem4sy.th.jpg (https://img358.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt260s1jerusalem4sy.jpg)

Its all that land based trade. Best roads are important here. I only build one thing at a time and check out the income gain from each before selecting what to build next. Military building dont tend to be built until there is nothing else to build.

No Govenor here which is probobly a mistake given its large income. Antioch has more income at present.

I moved my capital from Alexandria to Jerusalem in the past year. Jerusalem is more central to my expanding empire.

My faction leader died last night on the final turn before going to bed. He was on his way to Jerusalem and died on the road.

Cavalry only army take Selucia
https://img389.imageshack.us/img389/7157/egypt261sseleucia12mv.th.jpg (https://img389.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt261sseleucia12mv.jpg)
https://img285.imageshack.us/img285/4498/egypt261sseleucia179ot.th.jpg (https://img285.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt261sseleucia179ot.jpg)
Chariots are not very good inside towns.

The generals would split up after this. Best to go north, worst south to hunt down a Perthian army known to be on the loose...and build a few watchtowers in Arabia. Maybe he can go into Jerusalem when he is done. Other one mybe sticks around to build a few improvements before heading west.

[Garvanko]

Even without a governor you're still making quite a bit of money from Jerusalem, Severous. Not as much as Bombasticus Maximus, but he's got a larger population.

A large population doesn't seem to have helped me, though.. As soon as the Palace and Pantheion are built, Im building an Execution Square and Crop Rotation.
https://img459.imageshack.us/img459/2905/jerusalem1uj.th.jpg (https://img459.imageshack.us/my.php?image=jerusalem1uj.jpg)

[Severous]

Stick up your tax rate to very high. ?

Then build the bazaar next ? Execution is a law building is it not...dont think you will get much benefit from that...unless it has a mod in your game that adds some income.

Gross income is high in your game...net income is lower because with a big population Jerusalem is paying for a huge portion of the overall army upkeep.

I see a camel trade route of some sort in your built items. Whats that ?

Ive got to get a govenor in there. Thats a dimension of the game Ive overlooked. My govenors are primarily military oriented whilst the others tend to move around seeking trait increases by being present in cities when buildings are completed.

This defeated Selucid General did a long retreat into 'safe' territory'
https://img447.imageshack.us/img447/4415/egypt261w1longretreat4br.th.jpg (https://img447.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt261w1longretreat4br.jpg)
I attacked him again same turn with another army
https://img286.imageshack.us/img286/7121/egypt261w1longretreat37lf.th.jpg (https://img286.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt261w1longretreat37lf.jpg)
He got away again.

Remarkable....he was only one man. One man fled the first battle. He was two men in the second battle. As soon as his companion died from an arrow he routed. I couldnt catch him so he got away again. Tried to bribe him with my diplomat...after all he is just one man so maybe would be cheap...but no joy. He is now a rebel general as his Seludic faction was destroyed soon after. Wonder if he will still be in the Armenian mountains when my armies march north.

[Garvanko]

Stick up you tax rate to very high. ?

Then build the bazaar next ? Execution is a law building is it not...dont think you will get much benefit from that...unless it has a mod in your game that adds some income.

Gross income is high in your game...net income is lower because with a big population Jerusalem is paying for a huge portion of the overall army upkeep.

I see a camel trade route of some sort in your built items. Whats that ?
The AI is managing my taxation, and sets taxes as high as possible - I handle all unit training and building construction. Very high taxes would probably drop public order to 70% (red face and riots), so I'll probably have to wait till my Palace in built in a few turns for higher taxation.

I need the Execution Square so that at least I have the 5% law bonus before the poulation hits 30,000. Generally, with settlements like this where population hits 24000, I tend to concentrate on public order buildings. Jerusalem again, this time the settlement details..
https://img359.imageshack.us/img359/286/squalor2fm.th.jpg (https://img359.imageshack.us/my.php?image=squalor2fm.jpg)

As you can see unrest is at 50%, while squalor is at 80%. Can't do much about squalor until the palace is built, but the unrest needs to be quelled quickly or I'll have a blue face on that settlement for the next ten turns.

The camel route is a Trade caravan/Spice Road - it gives me access to lucrative trade from the East. Really boosts my economy. Its been implemented in BI as well, I think.

[Severous]

I run my cities on 70% and red faces. Not often run below that level as they will riot..but not on 70%.

Very high tax rate curbs city expansion.

I dont trust the AI to run anything. I like micromanaging the detail.

I will build public order buildings when the need is high..like if Im forced to lower taxes to 'High' in order to maintain order.

Something is bothering me about unrest at 50%. Why is it that high ? Population overcrowding doesnt cause this does it ? Or is it the lack of highest grade government building? I would suspect an enemy spy is causing that unrest if it wasnt for the gov building you need.

[Garvanko]

The AI does a excellent job on taxation, imo. I don't think I could micromanage the taxation in every single settlement - I'd go mad!

On the unrest, I don't think its an enemy spy, as I have agents in the settlement to watch out for them.

The garrison is around 40%, and its full up with peasants. So, yeah, the population is a problem - that should partly be solved by the Palace being built, and partly by the subsequent temple, execution square and crop rotation - in that order. I think a more comprehensive investigation of squalor and unrest can be found in the Ludus Magna.

Nevertheless, Jerusalem is one of the more rebellious settlements on the campaign map, along with Tarsus and Croton, among others - see frogbeastegg's guide.

[Garvanko]

Carthage blocked my route through Africa by land, so I grabbed Heruben, placed him and an army on a fleet and swept into Sicily.

Poorly defended, the Island fell quickly. Carthage a couple of turns later. Im going to try and take Thapsus and Lepis Magna.

Then i might end my campaign there..

[Bombasticus Maximus]

I have started again as the germans. Which one of the shrines allows you to have berserkers? :help:

[Severous]

My Egyptian general looks like he might bite off more than he can chew

https://img138.imageshack.us/img138/3695/egypt260sperthia5no.th.jpg (https://img138.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt260sperthia5no.jpg)

He has 10 star in attack or defense...the Perthian leader 6.

Difficulty vh/vh

Think I will send him after an Armenian city instead whilst I bring up some more troops.

[Craterus]

I have started again as the germans. Which one of the shrines allows you to have berserkers? :help:

Dude, go into the in-game tech tree. Pick a city that hasn't got a shrine yet, open the construction menu. Click the tabs on the left. One of them will be a tech tree. Scroll down to the bottom (where the shrines are) and click the most advanced sacred groves for each god.

One will give Beserkers. The others may be for wealth/health or some other things. You want to build the shrine that will eventually give you Beserkers.

[Bombasticus Maximus]

Thanks. Screenshots soon :2thumbsup:

[BHCWarman88]

Stick up you tax rate to very high. ?

Then build the bazaar next ? Execution is a law building is it not...dont think you will get much benefit from that...unless it has a mod in your game that adds some income.

Gross income is high in your game...net income is lower because with a big population Jerusalem is paying for a huge portion of the overall army upkeep.

I see a camel trade route of some sort in your built items. Whats that ?

Ive got to get a govenor in there. Thats a dimension of the game Ive overlooked. My govenors are primarily military oriented whilst the others tend to move around seeking trait increases by being present in cities when buildings are completed.

This defeated Selucid General did a long retreat into 'safe' territory'
https://img447.imageshack.us/img447/4415/egypt261w1longretreat4br.th.jpg (https://img447.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt261w1longretreat4br.jpg)
I attacked him again same turn with another army
https://img286.imageshack.us/img286/7121/egypt261w1longretreat37lf.th.jpg (https://img286.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt261w1longretreat37lf.jpg)
He got away again.

Remarkable....he was only one man. One man fled the first battle. He was two men in the second battle. As soon as his companion died from an arrow he routed. I couldnt catch him so he got away again. Tried to bribe him with my diplomat...after all he is just one man so maybe would be cheap...but no joy. He is now a rebel general as his Seludic faction was destroyed soon after. Wonder if he will still be in the Armenian mountains when my armies march north.




you killed my poor Seleciuds!!!!!!!! lol

[Garvanko]

Ive started a new campaign as the Scipii. In this mod, they only start with Capua, while Carthage holds Messana and Lilybaem. Syracuse is held by the Syracusan rebels.

I quickly sent a fleet full of my best troops and generals to Sicily and easily took Messana and Syracuse. Carthage seiged Messana in retaliation, but I held them off and seiged Lilybaem. I offered them a ceasefire and trade rights in exchange for Lilybaem. They accepted.

I got the settlement, with a garrison of 1 Hastati, 2 townwatch and 2 velites. I then took time to kick the Carthaginians out of Sicily.
https://img226.imageshack.us/img226/854/sicily6ha.th.jpg (https://img226.imageshack.us/my.php?image=sicily6ha.jpg)

Retrained my troops, then sent them straight to carthage before they could build up again. Took the city, exterminated the population , but now have to contend with an almighty population boom.
https://img226.imageshack.us/img226/593/populationboom5mr.th.jpg (https://img226.imageshack.us/my.php?image=populationboom5mr.jpg)

Carthage is the only city I have exterminated so far. Everywhere else I have occupied. Im making about 12k profit at the moment.

I took Thapsus fairly quickly after that, but Im now at war with the Carthaginian allies, Numidia. Ive also attacked caralis. I will probably expand west towards Spain, as im not too keen on running around in the desert right now, especially after just finishing an Egyptian campaign.

[Severous]

Nice bit of diplomacy Garvanko. Who broke the ceasefire between Scipii and Carthage ?

Im still playing my Egyptian campaign. Had time for a little more play.

I am allied to a strong Carthage. My diplomats and spies report I am no match for them..yet. First troops have gone ashore next to Greek held Athens. Hope to beat the Macedonians to that town. Want to ally to Thrace prior to the fight against Macedonia.

Its in the east that most challenge lies. Forces were not strong enough to take the Perthian capital. Too many Perthian horse archers are massed there. So its Armenia who is going to face the Pharohs might.

Instead Pharoh has faced an unexpectedly strong Armenian stack.
https://img48.imageshack.us/img48/3851/egypt259wcampaign0cx.th.jpg (https://img48.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt259wcampaign0cx.jpg)
Amyrtaios is a 4 star general with 430 men. Has a captain led reinforcement army of 55 inexperienced Archer Chariots. He faces these 1616 Armenians. Outnumbered 1:3 the battle odds take into account the stars and quality and report odds 1:2.

Its a bridge battle and I am the attacker. Looks bad.
https://img48.imageshack.us/img48/5623/egypt259wbridge15gj.th.jpg (https://img48.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt259wbridge15gj.jpg)

When the odds are against you, you can rely on the defender to take the offensive. My archers and chariots tried to shoot it out against the Horse Archers. Mistake. Despite open formation my Bowmen were decimated and routed. Waste. Bowmen usually kill loads...they would be the unit with the lowest kills by the end of the battle.

I fell back from the bridge to the high ground. Out of range of the Armenian Horse Archers. Now I can fire on the enemy who are now streaming over the bridge. First fight about to occur. Will Nubian Spearmen in phalanx be up to the task? Eastern Mercenaries wont...they are my reserve and going into action now to stop the flanking.

https://img103.imageshack.us/img103/1196/egypt259wbridge21ji.th.jpg (https://img103.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt259wbridge21ji.jpg)
Did you see the friendly fire casualties my phalanx are sufferring. Archers still routing.

The Armenian Eastern infantry have low morale and break quickly. Wave after wave go the same way.
https://img147.imageshack.us/img147/1913/egypt259wbridge33ly.th.jpg (https://img147.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt259wbridge33ly.jpg)
Remaining archers are back in the game.

Chariot archers just touch a flanking Eastern infantry unit and the Armenians rout....just like the others.
https://img125.imageshack.us/img125/8554/egypt259wbridge40vn.th.jpg (https://img125.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt259wbridge40vn.jpg)

Recovering my ego now after the loss of so many archers. Pleased with my cheap infantry dishing out death. Chariot archers and Desert cavalry going off killing routers.

Infantry line up in good order eyeing the menace that remains on the far bank..the Armenian Horse archers have started to move forward.
https://img125.imageshack.us/img125/728/egypt259wbridge51rp.th.jpg (https://img125.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt259wbridge51rp.jpg)

Pride comes before a fall. Much has happended since the previous picture.
https://img88.imageshack.us/img88/1159/egypt259wbridge69jx.th.jpg (https://img88.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt259wbridge69jx.jpg)
My general, chariot archers and Desert cavalry have all routed, and recovered since you last saw them. The problem...me. When those Horse Archers came across the bridge I rushed them. Thinking they were hemmed in I could catch and kill them. Well I killed lots..but there were loads of Eastern Infantry (spearmen) milling around. They poked my horsemen/chariots to pieces routing them. Many of the routing enemy have reformed and are returning to fight.

Nubian Spearmen taking casualties but phalanx moving forward into horsemen is having predictable results.
https://img275.imageshack.us/img275/713/egypt259wbridge73an.th.jpg (https://img275.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt259wbridge73an.jpg)
My weakened Desert cavalry and Eastern Mercenaries are chasing routers to the north. Theres a unit of horse archers (and other troops) that has recovered morale and threatening to turn the tables. Would send Chariot archers to help.

Armenian General gives a definant gesture before routing away.
https://img128.imageshack.us/img128/3610/egypt259wbridge81os.th.jpg (https://img128.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt259wbridge81os.jpg)

This earnt the fourth famours battle marker of the campaign. Heroic vicotry with lots of troops involved.
https://img238.imageshack.us/img238/6788/egypt259wbridge97we.th.jpg (https://img238.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt259wbridge97we.jpg)

https://img45.imageshack.us/img45/2137/egypt259wbridge105yx.th.jpg (https://img45.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt259wbridge105yx.jpg)

Overall position in the east. The battle above was on the western edge of this shot. In the east troops moving up for the assault on Perthia. That Perthian city is the only city on the map I have never ever captured.
https://img135.imageshack.us/img135/2339/egypt259wbridge112ef.th.jpg (https://img135.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt259wbridge112ef.jpg)

[Garvanko]

Nice bit of diplomacy Garvanko. Who broke the ceasefire between Scipii and Carthage ?
I did, Severous.

I gave them three turns to leave Italy by boat, but they didn't seem interested. So I attacked them, won the battle and any remaining forces disappeared from the map. Such a waste by the AI. It did make war in Africa a little easier, though.

I would add that I am able to build any Roman temple (so while I have temples to neptune in Sicily, Caralis and Capua, I have built a temple to Mars at Carthage and Cirta, and a temple to Vulcan at Thapsus. I can also upgrade any temple on the campaign map as well.)

Regarding your Egyptian campaign...

I see you're having lots of fun fighting Armenia. From my experience, they are best fought from higher ground. This negates the strengths of their horsearchers and gives your own Archers greater range - Need to be on the defensive though. As you say their infantry have low morale, so imagine what climbing up a hill with missile pouring down on them does?

Good luck.

[Severous]

The easiest Famous Battle marker of my Egyptian campaign came with the capture of Athens from the Greeks.

There were three Greek units in a stack outside the city and one as garrison. I attacked the three outside the city so the battle took place there with the city garrison acting as the Greeks reinforcements. Egyptian missiles killed all the Greeks - all were Armoured Hoplites. This left Athens undefended allowing my troops to walk in and enslave the town.

The first 8 of the units that now make up the Athens garrison were the troops that captured Athens. No losses sufferred from the Armoured Greek Hoplites defending it but did loose 11 from friendly fire.

https://img210.imageshack.us/img210/3337/egypt258sathens8yu.th.jpg (https://img210.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt258sathens8yu.jpg)

[Garvanko]

Haven't played RTW for a few days, so here's an update of my Scipii campaign. Ive started to make inroads into Spain, and finally destroyed the Carthaginians at Numantia.
https://img65.imageshack.us/img65/8486/numantia6om.th.jpg (https://img65.imageshack.us/my.php?image=numantia6om.jpg)

Marian reforms happened a few years back, and Im making quite a bit of money at the moment. Ive concentrated a lot on economic build, with Temples to Neptune really doing wonders for my economy. Added to upgrades to my farms and markets, and Ive had a fairly comfortable game so far. The challenge ahead looks tougher though - Germania has expanded and destroyed gaul, while The Julii are gaining influence in Western Europe. I hope to counter that with a quick expansion into the north.

Interesting to see the Greeks and Thracians doing well, as are the Seleucids in the East.

[Severous]

Garvanko...your Romans have an Elephant ! Batter those wooden walls down with it :wall:

I dont know how good those other troops are...never played post Marius...but I suspect you will soon own those two towns and most of Spain.


Meanwhile on the other side of the map my Egyptian campaign slowly takes a few more turns.

Here Carthage, my ally, and the strongest faction after Egypt decides to attack me. Maybe it didnt like me advancing towards its town.

https://img106.imageshack.us/img106/7606/egypt257w2carthage19dl.th.jpg (https://img106.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt257w2carthage19dl.jpg)
Campaign map shows my easterm borders are now secure. Passes between Sythian and ex Armenian lands are guarded with forts. Rest of my troops stream west...against Carthage and against Greece/Macedon.

Theres a lot of them. I have drawn up infantry on a hill.
https://img112.imageshack.us/img112/4004/egypt257w2carthage26yl.th.jpg (https://img112.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt257w2carthage26yl.jpg)

Im too outnumbered to flank the bigger army of Carthage. But my cavalry try and pick out exposed enemy. Shooting up the enemy horse is first priority for archers and slingers.
https://img106.imageshack.us/img106/7235/egypt257w2carthage37fq.th.jpg (https://img106.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt257w2carthage37fq.jpg)

Low point for the Egyptians
https://img154.imageshack.us/img154/3540/egypt257w2carthage44wn.th.jpg (https://img154.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt257w2carthage44wn.jpg)
Desert cavalry are good. But not that good. Bit off far more than they can chew by charging skirmishers who rushed back into the Carthage main lines...where many troops..and elephants were waiting/counter charging.

Going well now.
https://img154.imageshack.us/img154/7620/egypt257w2carthage55dx.th.jpg (https://img154.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt257w2carthage55dx.jpg)
Desert cavalry routed away but recovered. The enemy elephants have left the main battle to chase the Desert cavalry. As the enemy general is on the elephant that means the general cannot encourage his troops. Carthage troops do seem to be routing easily. (this is vh/vh). Dealing death with missile troops whilst Hoplites stand idle. Their time will come.

General taking fire from Carthage missile cavalry but I was more interested in the Hoplites. They had to face backward to deal with an enemy that was after the missile troops on the hill.
https://img105.imageshack.us/img105/3618/egypt257w2carthage60ve.th.jpg (https://img105.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt257w2carthage60ve.jpg)

Hopites are in real danger. They are engaged and being charged from the rear by multiple Carthage units. Fortunately they rout the enemy to their front and were able to turn, a bit, to meet the enemy.
https://img105.imageshack.us/img105/9626/egypt257w2carthage75yg.th.jpg (https://img105.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt257w2carthage75yg.jpg)

Cavalry and chariot general rush to assist the hoplites.
https://img95.imageshack.us/img95/1489/egypt257w2carthage87dx.th.jpg (https://img95.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt257w2carthage87dx.jpg)

Carthage break. Morale effects of cavalry and chariots too much for them. Watch out...Elephants are coming back.
https://img98.imageshack.us/img98/7493/egypt257w2carthage94md.th.jpg (https://img98.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt257w2carthage94md.jpg)

Fire with fire. Slingers in open formation run for their lives.
https://img234.imageshack.us/img234/9222/egypt257w2carthage100re.th.jpg (https://img234.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt257w2carthage100re.jpg)

Archers were not so nimble and got gored. Hoplites spot an opportunity to do some more poking.
https://img154.imageshack.us/img154/8220/egypt257w2carthage114cc.th.jpg (https://img154.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt257w2carthage114cc.jpg)
https://img107.imageshack.us/img107/5686/egypt257w2carthage124sw.th.jpg (https://img107.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt257w2carthage124sw.jpg)

Carnage all over the battlefield. Carthage is broken but not down. A nubian mercenary unit routing away after too many losses whilst others try to finish the elephants.
https://img154.imageshack.us/img154/9936/egypt257w2carthage136fr.th.jpg (https://img154.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt257w2carthage136fr.jpg)

Forgot to tell my archers to stop using fire. Still town watch wont like this salvo very much. Several got burned.
https://img154.imageshack.us/img154/5623/egypt257w2carthage145it.th.jpg (https://img154.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt257w2carthage145it.jpg)

Cavalry and Chariots having fun.
https://img134.imageshack.us/img134/8826/egypt257w2carthage153ap.th.jpg (https://img134.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt257w2carthage153ap.jpg)

An Amok elephant was the last enemy killed. Seemed really hard to kill. Won but took losses. Its a long way back to Siwa for replacements so need to capture the Carthage town.
https://img148.imageshack.us/img148/6367/egypt257w2carthage165eq.th.jpg (https://img148.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt257w2carthage165eq.jpg)

Nice haul of experience gains for these green troops.
https://img148.imageshack.us/img148/2267/egypt257w2carthage178wn.th.jpg (https://img148.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt257w2carthage178wn.jpg)

Immediately after this the GreeKs attacked near Thermon.
https://img154.imageshack.us/img154/8030/egypt257w3greece10ro.th.jpg (https://img154.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt257w3greece10ro.jpg)
That battle was easy..missiles against hoplites..but I lost my faction leader as I missed a Hoplite phalanx march up to the chariots a poke em to death in a twinkle.
https://img137.imageshack.us/img137/6140/egypt257w3greece24he.th.jpg (https://img137.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt257w3greece24he.jpg)
:skull:

[Bombasticus Maximus]

Haven't played RTW for a few days, so here's an update of my Scipii campaign. Ive started to make inroads into Spain, and finally destroyed the Carthaginians at Numantia.
https://img65.imageshack.us/img65/8486/numantia6om.th.jpg (https://img65.imageshack.us/my.php?image=numantia6om.jpg)

Marian reforms happened a few years back, and Im making quite a bit of money at the moment. Ive concentrated a lot on economic build, with Temples to Neptune really doing wonders for my economy. Added to upgrades to my farms and markets, and Ive had a fairly comfortable game so far. The challenge ahead looks tougher though - Germania has expanded and destroyed gaul, while The Julii are gaining influence in Western Europe. I hope to counter that with a quick expansion into the north.

Interesting to see the Greeks and Thracians doing well, as are the Seleucids in the East.

How do you get elephants as the romans.

[Garvanko]

They are Mercenary War Elephants. I recruited them in Africa.

[Garvanko]

Update.

Took Lemonum from the Germans (senate mission), before I went for rebel-held Narbo Martius.

Taking the gates at Narbo Martius
https://img190.imageshack.us/img190/4412/takingnarbo0mr.th.jpg (https://img190.imageshack.us/my.php?image=takingnarbo0mr.jpg)

Infantry lining up and pushing on to take the town square. Cav in the background.
https://img190.imageshack.us/img190/859/infantrypushingup1sh.th.jpg (https://img190.imageshack.us/my.php?image=infantrypushingup1sh.jpg)

Carrying the war to Germania at Alesia.
https://img190.imageshack.us/img190/8581/germania2gw.th.jpg (https://img190.imageshack.us/my.php?image=germania2gw.jpg)

Im gaining ground on the Julii in Western Europe, so that should slow down their expansion a bit. The Greek factions (Macedon aside) are very powerful in this game.

Having fun.:2thumbsup:

[Severous]

I have put my Egyptian campaign down for a while.

So I can participate in the Carthage campaign being run as a multiplayer campaign ...in the PBM section of this forum. (Throne room)

Here Carthage takes on Roman Brutii (and Scipii). Pay back time for the many assaults sent against Carthage lands.

https://img78.imageshack.us/img78/4000/ahorn401kw.th.jpg (https://img78.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ahorn401kw.jpg)

[Avicenna]

This is quite an interesting campaign, and I'm actually expanding more quickly in VH/M than I used to in M/M!

Anyhow, this is Chivalry: Total War v0.73, and here's the English Empire:

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v342/illusionario/england.png

The King of England is currently a useless womanising sloth sitting back home at England, while his relations are doing conquering in the mainland.

Morirex is currently the most able character, and is the nephew of King Robert (or was it Richard?).

He is leading the conquest of France, while a Welsh (I think) general has just destroyed the Holy Roman Empire in the West. He and Hubert the Parisi, son-in-law of the King, are going to have some fun blitzing the three settlements of the Bohemian trespassers. The French can wait, as I have Aragonese support who have already fought on my side against the French.

Earlier history: started off at war with Denmark, and made peace after I took one of their territories. I've then left them alone in favour of uniting Great Britain and using the other troops against the aggressors France and the HRE, who are now gone. The HRE would actually be here if they kept the peace they signed at a cost of 1000 florins, but strangely they just besieged my city again, and left in a turn. :inquisitive:

Now, England is enjoying the status of most powerful faction overall. It's rocketed up recently, overtaking the Byzantines (Romans) in the last turn or so. Second in population behind the Byzantines, 3rd most powerful militarily behind the Byzantines and Egyptians, second richest after Egypt and the country with the strongest economy in the world.

Once France and Bohemia is gone, I'm hoping to build friendly relations with Hungary and Poland to the west, and keep allied to the Aragonese. I'll then either go for the Danes' three territories, but more likely I'll go for rebellious Italy and wipe out the Norman Sicilians on the way.

[Severous]

Hi

Ive been away from this thread a while as I have been contributing to succession type games elsewhere. But I am back to my vh/vh Egyptian campaign and have an update.

15 years into the campaign.
- Lepcis has been taken from Carthage. Underdeveloped this town offers no retraining to weakened Egyptian forces and a big Carthage counter attack is expected.
- Allied to Sythia yet I am guarding my northern borders with forts in passes and spies acting as forward observers
- Perthia is a defeated faction and has lost control of the Caspian sea to my navy.
- Macedons were wiped out outside Bylazora in a big forest battle yet rebels managed to occupy the now empty town before I could march in
- Thessolonica has the plague

- and its time to take on the Romans.

https://img234.imageshack.us/img234/5791/egypt256wapollonia16do.th.jpg (https://img234.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt256wapollonia16do.jpg)

General Heruben commands three chariot units and faces a numerically stronger Roman enemy. He has orders to capture Apollonia. He attacks the small captain led Roman stack next to the city (red arrow) which draws out the city garison to act as reinforcements (green arrow). This will be a battle in the open. Chariots like lots of room to run around in. The full Brutii stack to the west of Apollonia plays no part in the battle.
--
Chariots dont engage in hand to hand combat.

https://img234.imageshack.us/img234/2608/egypt256wapollonia21so.th.jpg (https://img234.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt256wapollonia21so.jpg)

They fire arrows at the enemy whilst running away. But they dont run too fast. They present their spiked wheels to the enemy who is allowed to catch them up from behind and get cut down by the wheels.

The General himself taking down at least two heavy cavalry.

https://img146.imageshack.us/img146/3079/egypt256wapollonia34nt.th.jpg (https://img146.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt256wapollonia34nt.jpg)

Keep moving is the mantra chariots must apply against cavalry.
--

After having seen the cavalry and general cut down the Roman infantry is becoming unhappy. They are also tired from pointless chasing after chariots and are reduced in numbers from being shot at.

Now is the time to let loose the chariots in combat mode.

https://img234.imageshack.us/img234/4038/egypt256wapollonia45qr.th.jpg (https://img234.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt256wapollonia45qr.jpg)

If the Romans threaten to fire pila then run away. Chariots can outrun a volley of Pila if they turn away as soon as the Romans prepare to fire.

Whilst the target turns away from Pila fire...another can come in and attack!

https://img146.imageshack.us/img146/6762/egypt256wapollonia51it.th.jpg (https://img146.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt256wapollonia51it.jpg)

https://img234.imageshack.us/img234/1025/egypt256wapollonia67ma.th.jpg (https://img234.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt256wapollonia67ma.jpg)

Against infantry the mantra is patience.
--
https://img146.imageshack.us/img146/9967/egypt256wapollonia79ap.th.jpg (https://img146.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt256wapollonia79ap.jpg)

https://img129.imageshack.us/img129/67/egypt256wapollonia88pk.th.jpg (https://img129.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt256wapollonia88pk.jpg)

The chariots walk into capture undefended Apollonia.
--
The defense of Apollonia next turn will be interesting.

[Garvanko]

Great campaign Severous. I've also taken time to look at your extensive recent update on the Carthage PBM. Made very good reading.

I took up Macedon again a couple of weeks ago, and have had a much better campaign with the XGM than with vanilla RTW. Ive taken most of the Balkans, Greece, and am currently in a war of attrition with the Julii in Italy. Ive taken Tarentum, Capua, Croton and Rome.

Arretium was next.. It was defended by a mixture of Hastati, Principes, and Triarii
https://img139.imageshack.us/img139/7109/attackingarretium8pd.th.jpg (https://img139.imageshack.us/my.php?image=attackingarretium8pd.jpg)

Started the onslaught with my onagers - targeted the walls and then the towers - I didn't want to enter the city under a hail of missiles!
https://img103.imageshack.us/img103/2640/onslaughtbegins8bm.th.jpg (https://img103.imageshack.us/my.php?image=onslaughtbegins8bm.jpg)

Attacking the towers
https://img130.imageshack.us/img130/5448/attackingthetowers6bc.th.jpg (https://img130.imageshack.us/my.php?image=attackingthetowers6bc.jpg)

Hypaspists forming up and waiting for the onagers to finish their work
https://img139.imageshack.us/img139/1197/hypaspists1yr.th.jpg (https://img139.imageshack.us/my.php?image=hypaspists1yr.jpg)

My General seemed to be enjoying this - Helped that he has +2 command when assaulting walls
https://img139.imageshack.us/img139/2620/generalview9mo.th.jpg (https://img139.imageshack.us/my.php?image=generalview9mo.jpg)

Finally the last tower on that section of the wall was destroyed! Time to move in..
https://img130.imageshack.us/img130/6731/towerdestroyed9ov.th.jpg (https://img130.imageshack.us/my.php?image=towerdestroyed9ov.jpg)

My Italic Legionnaires take on the Roman troops - this battle seemed to last forever!
https://img231.imageshack.us/img231/6756/legionaires0tl.th.jpg (https://img231.imageshack.us/my.php?image=legionaires0tl.jpg)

Meanwhile, the Hypaspists use shock tactics to break the Triarii - that didn't last long!
https://img139.imageshack.us/img139/9518/hypaspiststakingontriarii1xt.th.jpg (https://img139.imageshack.us/my.php?image=hypaspiststakingontriarii1xt.jpg)

Easily took the town square after initial resistance..
https://img139.imageshack.us/img139/1945/takingsquare6el.th.jpg (https://img139.imageshack.us/my.php?image=takingsquare6el.jpg)

Clear victory!! And onward to Ariminium next turn, I hope..
https://img139.imageshack.us/img139/9475/clearvictory8fp.th.jpg (https://img139.imageshack.us/my.php?image=clearvictory8fp.jpg)

[Severous]

^ Garvanko. I like looking at your battles also. Different troops from vanilla and different tactics.

Couple of observation/questions:
- Unlimited ammo still ?
- Do you know if fire or rock ammo is better against stone walls ? I would have thought rocks is best...fire perhaps on wooden walls.
- Was that your Onagers with a loose round setting buildings on fire...or deliberate.?
- How comes one of the archer units sufferred many casualties ?
- You didnt send infantry up onto the walls ? Is that not a tactic you use ?
- Do you know if infantry can gain access to wall tops though a destroyed tower ?


Heres my pushy Egyptian general who captured Apollonia in the last post. He has now taken on the big Brutii stack outside the city.

https://img163.imageshack.us/img163/2404/egypt255sapollonia24ls.th.jpg (https://img163.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt255sapollonia24ls.jpg)

After beating that, on the same turn he is in Italy. Has left infantry behind. He will hire those mercenaries.
https://img68.imageshack.us/img68/9523/egypt255starentun12oi.th.jpg (https://img68.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt255starentun12oi.jpg)

Spies are informing on city defences at Tarentumand say they can open the gates. So a three pronged attack, General, mercenaries, and infantry/archers landed by sea.

Much better odds than last time. So wont gain so much experience. Note the general is now an 8 star after the Heroic and Famous battle outside Apollonia.
https://img161.imageshack.us/img161/8393/egypt255starentun28bk.th.jpg (https://img161.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt255starentun28bk.jpg)

With gates open and few defenders the three pronged attack has me in the city without losses (wooden walls this early in campaign). I capture the plaza which was only defended with one archer unit. After that the Brutii defenders make their way to the plaza where I am waiting for them. Sort of role reversal...I am attacker yet now the original defenders have to (re)take the plaza. In this shot these luckless Principes are marching down the road towards the plaza...and being shot in the back by my archers firing down an ally between two buildings. Being back shots they kill..and the principes turn back to go after those distant archers. As they do so the principes turn their backs on the archers in the foreground...who stop running and fire shots at the principes. Eventually I had to fight them in the plaza..a job left to the chariots and cavalry that were waiting for them by the time the Principes got there.
https://img68.imageshack.us/img68/6453/egypt255starentun36gj.th.jpg (https://img68.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt255starentun36gj.jpg)
9,975 civilians died in the exterminations that followed.

[Garvanko]

You seem to have a lot of success with Chariot Archers!

To your questions and observations..


Couple of observation/questions:
- Unlimited ammo still ?
- Do you know if fire or rock ammo is better against stone walls ? I would have thought rocks is best...fire perhaps on wooden walls.
- Was that your Onagers with a loose round setting buildings on fire...or deliberate.?
- How comes one of the archer units sufferred many casualties ?
- You didnt send infantry up onto the walls ? Is that not a tactic you use ?
- Do you know if infantry can gain access to wall tops though a destroyed tower ?

1.Yes, I do still use unlimited ammo. I love missile units, and I therefore I must make an exception to realism.:2thumbsup:

2. When i comes to seiging, I don't think it matters really if you use fire. I use fire because I like to keep track of where all the rocks are flying! Plus it makes the long wait while they do their work more interesting/scenic. On wooden walls, I'd rather use a ram, tbh.

3. Yes, the onagers only had +1 exp, so some shots did go astray as I targeted the tower on the right. I generally try not to target buildings. Luckily, that building wasn't part of the building queue, so there was nothing to repair once I took the settlement.

4. The archers had pushed forward to try and get a few early shots in on the enemy infantry once the wall went down. Unfortunately, they got dragged into the leading tower's line of fire for a few seconds. The results were devastating. Made my decision to detroy the towers first, all the more important.

5. I attacked on the same turn with the onagers as the area (northern Italy) was full of Roman stacks. If I seiged it for a turn, I would have been attacked by a heavy relief force. Normally, I would try to bring the walls down with saps, so even if there was no danger of an attack from a relief force, I would still have used saps, rather than ladders or seige towers.

I do use a combination of saps and seige towers if the settlement is heavily defended and I have reinforcements.

6. Yes, i do use that tactic from time to time. But I generally find that using infantry on the walls causes more casualties, and makes them tire easily. So, whenever possible, I will sap. Its safer, quicker, and you keep the troops on the ground where there is more space. As an attacker, you always do better when you have space to manoeuvre.

[Severous]

Thanks for the answers Garvanko.

Egyptians will soon control Croton. The Brutii will be no more.

https://img218.imageshack.us/img218/316/egypt254sitaly6pc.th.jpg (https://img218.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt254sitaly6pc.jpg)

One last desparate charge from the Brutii faction leader:

https://img97.imageshack.us/img97/7079/egypt254scroton15bo.th.jpg (https://img97.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt254scroton15bo.jpg)

As usual a general will jump into a phalanx and soon the line will dissolve into sword fights. I have an elite Desert Cavalry charging in and once the Chariot General runs through the mess with his wheel spikes cutting horse legs the Romans will be broken.
--
And now for those Scipii who have bypassed my fort and beseiged Tarentum.

https://img153.imageshack.us/img153/6387/egypt254starentum14xt.th.jpg (https://img153.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt254starentum14xt.jpg)

The general and his troops who this same turn has captured Croton is taking part in this battle. But on purpose he wont command it. I want a sally type encounter..so troops from Tarentum initiate the battle. I forego the 7* general bonus but gain city walls to keep my infantry safe from the Scipii cavalry and dogs.

Chariots and cavalry with missile support take apart the scipii forces. One of the Scipii generals nearly makes it to safely but is caught at the last second and falls dead beyond the red line.
https://img124.imageshack.us/img124/6663/egypt254starentum26qk.th.jpg (https://img124.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt254starentum26qk.jpg)
--

Scipii reinforcements from Sicilly will not arrive.
https://img142.imageshack.us/img142/9655/egypt254snaval6dt.th.jpg (https://img142.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt254snaval6dt.jpg)
Only 4 sailors on the Scipii ships is lowest ive seen. In seconds the sailors, ship and army will be sunk.
--

Spies in Capua can see no SPQR armies. So will be moving north through Italy next turn.

Also working on Thrace and Thapsus.

Trying to finish within 20 years.

[Garvanko]

Public order must be a big problem for you now, Severous. Where have you placed your capital? Tarsus? Antioch?

Tarsus is always on the edge of a riot. Croton is another one which is always on edge.


Scipii reinforcements from Sicilly will not arrive.
https://img142.imageshack.us/img142/9655/egypt254snaval6dt.th.jpg (https://img142.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egypt254snaval6dt.jpg)
Only 4 sailors on the Scipii ships is lowest ive seen. In seconds the sailors, ship and army will be sunk.
Nice.

Im starting a new Julii campaign. Back to fighting stinking Gauls again after so much time spent in the East with the Greeks, Macedon and Egypt.

[Severous]

Hi Garvanko

The Egyptian capital started at Alexandria. I moved it to Jerusalem in the winter of 261BC. By then corruption was running at some 7000 per turn.

I have just moved the capital again..to Cyprus.

The Roman and Carthage cities are big and remote from my capital. They are indeed causing me control problems. The only way to control them is to exterminate. Trouble is I had a broken mouse. The spring under the left mouse button was gone. So it only took a minute force to left click. Thapsus (just south of Carthage) was 'occupied' instead of 'exterminated'. That city of 12,000 people is going to rebel. On low tax and with all my African troops as garrison I cannot control it. I now have a new mouse!

Good luck with your Julii. When I finish I am going to try a few of the historical battles and submit my results to another forum where they have a scoreboard. Then its either the Gauls or the Greeks. Ive not played a barbarian nor Phalanx faction.

[Severous]

Not pictures this time. Statistics. From a just completed Egyptian campaign.

https://img83.imageshack.us/img83/8600/egyptstats0na.th.jpg (https://img83.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egyptstats0na.jpg)

https://img157.imageshack.us/img157/2057/egyptstats22bj.th.jpg (https://img157.imageshack.us/my.php?image=egyptstats22bj.jpg)

[UltraWar]

This is my Greek Campaign using a mod I have been creating...

https://img348.imageshack.us/img348/4416/greekcampaigncn2.th.jpg (https://img348.imageshack.us/my.php?image=greekcampaigncn2.jpg)

[Hepcat]

My best campaign I won the long goals but kept playing to see if I could take over the entire map. I was doing so well and my only remaining enemy was Carthage.

Then my empire began breaking up and rebellions erupted everywhere. Each turn more cities rioted and my poor armies in the rebellious east were surrounded by rebel forces that were just as good and much larger in number than them. :embarassed:

As what happened to all large empires, it began rotting from within.

ALL the rebel provinces on the map WERE mine, and although it looks like 2 Spanish cities are in spain they actually belong to Carthage, I just haven't explored there recently. So I gave up and the Greek empire crumbled.
:skull:

https://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l182/Hepcat_2006/TWF/th_campaign_map.jpg (https://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l182/Hepcat_2006/TWF/campaign_map.jpg)

[Garvanko]

Currently enjoying a Greek Campaign on the XGM. That is, I was until my faction leader decided to become a coward.:inquisitive:

https://img102.imageshack.us/img102/5213/antigonosthecowardne8.th.jpg (https://img102.imageshack.us/my.php?image=antigonosthecowardne8.jpg)

Funny thing is, he's got some pretty decent traits and ancillaries.

Natural Born General, Counter-Spy, Spartan, Shieldbearer, Victor in Europe, etc.

[Severous]

Hepcat...Ive never had the inclination to slog it out across the whole map. Too many big battles..and big rebellions.

Garvanko....still on the Greek mod I see. Not too clever making your leader a coward. :no: Any idea how that happened ? I had a Greek general rout two or three times and he gained a trait 'dubious courage'...but that didnt change his name.


My current Gaul campaign. A small cavalry only force about to defeat rebels and help on my territorial push eastwards. Might come and see your Greeks yet Garvanko.
https://img54.imageshack.us/img54/9219/gaul262w10cz2.th.jpg (https://img54.imageshack.us/my.php?image=gaul262w10cz2.jpg)

[Garvanko]

I honestly don't know why he's such a coward, Severous. He's got very good traits and ancillaries. It must be something global, like how Im expanding, or my use of spies, assassins and diplomats. Im trying to keep the leadership lineage with Sparta, but I may have to change my heir to an Athenian general or governor.

Edit:Found out why he's such a coward.

Among all his countless great attributes and hanger's on, he's managed to get himself a 'Ruled by Fear' trait. -5 Morale to all troops. Hell on Earth, I tell ya.

https://img477.imageshack.us/img477/7447/ruledbyfearxk3.th.jpg (https://img477.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ruledbyfearxk3.jpg)

Which makes this assault on the Macedon Capital Pella a bit of a banana skin.

https://img357.imageshack.us/img357/5969/cowardattackingpellacp3.th.jpg (https://img357.imageshack.us/my.php?image=cowardattackingpellacp3.jpg)

Impressive expansion with Gaul. What was your strategy against the Romans? Did you blitz, or was it a more staggered offensive? Are you going to attack Carthage anytime soon?

[Severous]

Garvanko

Not only -5 Morale but also -10 Influence and +10 Unrest. It is that mod isnt it ? Ive not seen such traits before in RTW.

As for the Gaul expansion against Romans...I just attacked them. Blitz I suppose. Thats what I do on all fronts. Carthage city is too far away..and Gaul do not control the seas. Their weak boats are no match for any other factions fleet. I am at war against Carthage faction. A big battle in central Spain soon as I march on Corduba.

Meanwhile. I am playing a swap game with another player. We are Greece...on vh/vh RTW V1.5 no Mods. I just got the game back and find the other player has recruited some armoured hoplites. Ive never owned any of these before. They are about to demonstrate how good they are. This battle is the largest number of men Ive ever had on the battlefield at once...its huge settings (ive had almost as much on large)
https://img153.imageshack.us/img153/613/greece264s1ih3.th.jpg (https://img153.imageshack.us/my.php?image=greece264s1ih3.jpg)

[Garvanko]

I love Huge battles. My computer doesn't though, so I usually mod the unit size in the preferences.txt to 100. So far, its a good balance for both campaign (garrisons) and battle maps.


Not only -5 Morale but also -10 Influence and +10 Unrest. It is that mod isnt it ? Ive not seen such traits before in RTW.Yes, probably. I don't mind it really, as it makes the battle more challenging. I'll have to keep an extra eye on my units morale - maybe wait for a sally and play defensive?

[Garvanko]

Update:

As expected the AI garrison sallied, but I still managed to take Pella with my Coward of a faction leader.

Now he's less of a coward. :2thumbsup:
https://img86.imageshack.us/img86/724/lessofacowardbq6.th.jpg (https://img86.imageshack.us/my.php?image=lessofacowardbq6.jpg)

[Hepcat]

Here is an image of the game at the point where I gave up.
https://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l182/Hepcat_2006/TWF/campaign_map.jpg

ALL the rebel armies were as good as this one, it was rather depressing.
Tell me, HOW ARE YOU SUPPOSED TO DEFEAT THAT!!!! :furious3: :wall: :dizzy2:

[Hepcat]

Sorry for being so stupid and posting the same image twice, I didn't realise Zone Alarm blocked images. I thought I couldn't post an image because I was only a junior member. Sorry. :embarassed:

[Garvanko]

No worries.

The best way to deal with those rebels is to seige and wait until they sally or surrender. If you try an assault, I suspect you'll get hammered, or suffer a Pyrrhic victory. Its a messy situation you're in, though.:sweatdrop:

[Tricky Lady]

Hello, here are a few screenshots of my Brutii campaign. I'm playing with the Mundus Magnus mod (still on 1.2). I'm thinking of trying another mod that runs on 1.5; Terra Expugnandae comes to mind, or perhaps Res Gestae, if I find a working download link.

So, my Brutii campaign.
Here is a screenshot of the current map.

https://img233.imageshack.us/img233/4928/mapbrutii191bcqw0.png

At first I concentrated on the typical targets Macedon and the Greek Cities, nicely obeying the Senate and conquering every city they sent me to. I decided to annoy the Julii, and conquered Patavium and Mediolanum. When I noticed that they didn't expand at all in the direction of Gaul, I moved an army to Massilia and conquered it too. As I really like natural borders, I wanted to conquer all regions up the Danube river, which gives me an easily defendable border. So far there have not been any attempts to break my fortified border yet.

After the initial conquests on the continent (which took many years, as I'm a very slow player), I settled down and started upgrading the formerly Greek cities. I didn't want to attempt the big jump to Minor Asia before the Marian reforms happened. So I built and built, organising border armies and re-arranging the active legions. Once the Marian reforms happened, I declared war on the Ptolemies and laid siege to Halicarnassus and that other city to the north of it. In the mean time I kept on sending large amounts of money to my ally of the first hour, the Seleucid empire.

The Egyptian armies and cities in Minor Asia crumbled rather easily for the might of my new legions, and I only stopped my conquests when I reached Salamis. But at that time, Pontus started playing around with spies and assassins, so I eagerly accepted the pretext to start a war with them. It was a pity that the Seleucids were allied to them (didn't check that before), so they cancelled our alliance. As a repercussion for their low loyalty I decided to declare war on them to, so I sieged Nikomedia (Pontus) and Ipsus (Seleucids) and a bit later the Salamis legion arrived at the walls of Sardis too.
The conquests in the eastern part of Minor ASia went quite smoothly, even though I had (and still have) big difficulties killing off the Pontic chariots (especially their upgraded (bronze or silver chevronned) Scythed chariots are a pain). But the army sieging Sardis suffered a bad defeat... They typically got attacked by a relief force, which counted a few elephant units (two armoured ones and one 'regular' one - all at full strength). As I brought enough artillery I wasn't too worried... But I soon realised that I should be. I took position on top of a hill, and when the elephants marched uphill I targeted them with flaming arrows. None of the missiles hit the targets, and the elephants just walked on as if nothing was happening. Not one elephant panicked. But I did! They reached my lines in full strength, and their morale was still great too. Then I knew I was dead. They started to rampage through my front line of legionnaries, which I stupidly forgot to switch to loose formation, so the first white flags started to appear. Only a few units survived the slaughter, man, I was disgusted of my own amateurism! Luckily I was so rich that I had already prepared a back-up army, which was at place two turns later. I cowardly sent a diplomat to bribe the (leaderless) elephant army, as I could afford it. Five turns later the city fell. But at what cost.

Now I have just offered a ceasefire to the Seleucids, in return for a single payment of 30.000 denarii. They accepted, so I can now focus on the war with Pontus. I'm trying to break their back by conquering their most important cities. The Pontic empire is stretched out far into formerly Armenian lands, so I don't think I'll go so far, or I should offer the conquered lands to the Seleucids...

https://img67.imageshack.us/img67/5483/minorasia191bcyj1.jpg

A couple of turns ago Egypt offered an alliance, which I accepted in return for a small amount of money (5.000 dn, I believe). Now the Seleucids are again trying to infiltrate my cities with their spies, so I guess I'll take advantage of this sooner or later to conquer their capital Antiocheia and that other city in the Cappadocian plateau. I'll sue for peace again once those cities are under Roman power.

So far this has been a nice campaign. Will try to post more screenies later on.

[Telys]

wow, I'm surprised this thread is still going. Some nice campaigns there people. I'll start posting some more of my campaigns in about 6 weeks, hopefully.

[Garvanko]

Welcome back, Telys.

[WarMachine420]

Impressive.:bow: 154k profit from 4 protectorates. :book:

I play Hard/Hard.. Rebels don't seem to cause much of a problem. They even asked me for a cease-fire once.


I play on H/H also. Medium just isn't "satisfying" enough, if you will.

I have an Egyptian campaign going now...252bc, 15 provinces, a mighty, mighty empire developing. The Julii have become amazingly powerful in this campaign and I don't quite understand how...

I control all of eastern/north africa and as far east as the last province on the bottom right of the map. I'm up to Antioch (Seleucid Capital) which I have surrounded and besieged with 2 stacks of forces. Other than that, they only have 2 other cities left and very few troops. Those 2 cities are rotted anyway...just a clean up. Parthia, who I've already taken one province from, has just 2 left and a military that couldn't threaten anyone.

I'll get a detailed description of my campaign as well as screenshots later on tonight or tomorrow. The battle that is about to take place (saved right before it...last thing to do this turn) is going to be the biggest one of the campaign yet. Looks like about 7000-7500 troops will be taking place in the battle. Large Stone Walls surround the Seleucid Capital and I have 3 sapping points, 4 seige towers, 4 rams, and 3 ladders ready to go. The catch is that they have 72 (yes, 72) elephants inside the stone walls...I don't view this as anything but an advantage though...I've been playing games with them for years: Repeatedly beating them by one turn to a rebel province hence causing them to march an army 4 turns one way, only to turn around and go 4 turns back. When I've felt it was time to take a few turns off from the heavy push...you know, resupply the front, pull back troops that need training, regarrison my cities, focus on production etc, I've just attacked up in their provinces with small, quick strikes...guerrilla war if you will. Just enough to put them in a position where Pontus and Armenia could keep beating them in the north. Also...on like turn 5 of the campaign I had attacked Demascus and lost the battle but it was a CLASSIC example of a Pyrric (sp?) victory. They immediately asked for a ceasefire and even shelled out 1500 denarii per turn for 5 turns to do so. 10 turns later they were weaker, poorer, tied up with 2 other factions and financially screwed so I wound up taking back demascus anyway and pushing east through there (have an army moving up to take the Hanging Gardens next). The point is that the next little game I play is in this epic, epic battle waiting to happen (it will make me the most powerful faction in the game at this point, even more than Julii, if I win the battle...it lays the foundation for a massive conquest of the whole East...strategically and financially...I hold Kydonia and have an army ready to attack Greece and take rhodes, and then take the rebel province of Helacanarsus (sp?). Basically, I'll hold every wonder in the East (6 total i think) in the next 5-8 years. Game over at that point :laugh4: Anyway, and I promise I'll tell you this time, the next little game I play is to use the elephants as a weapon against the Seleucids themselves. Since they've been surrounded by 2 full stacks (one being led by my faction Heir...who really isn't the "true" faction heir that I'll be naming later on but for strategic purposes it is what it is now) they haven't been able to break the seige...just one army's seige. They've attacked the un-led army, since that's the one in the front of the city, 3 turns in a row and broken their seige...eliminating any equipment that has been built by that army. Thing is that the OTHER army beseiging them, the one with my heir leading it, has never had it's seige broken and just keeps developing more seige equipment. So obviously the Seleucids have tried everything to make this battle take place out in the field as opposed to inside the city, since they know we're going to be able to breach the walls. The plan is this: When I start breaking into the city with infantry, I'm going to have my skirmishers and archers focus their fire on the elephants. The bowmen are going to use flaming arrows from outside the walls and shake up all 70+ elephants so that while the major fighting is going on at the walls/right inside the city the Seleucid front linesman will get a nasty surprise behind them: 70+ elephants all running amok. As soon as that happens I am going to release my "entrance infantry line 2" if you will...another LONG row of nubian spearman in a phalanx formation which will drive the enemy back into the city a bit. This will pin them back with all of their cavalry like a sandwhich ...stuck together with all the elephants going crazy. At this point...I'll sacrifice a unit of camel cavalry (Bedouin Warriors) to make a daring rush at the elephants. Should keep them nice and "amok" :laugh4:.

Anyway...this utter rambling has gone on long enough...I'll condense and organize my campaign story later on as I said, and try to include some screenshots.

[Roderic the Emptyhanded]

Hi everyone, this is a picture of my first julii campaign on M/M.

https://img113.imageshack.us/img113/9452/fullmapofjuliicampign235bctr6.th.png (https://img113.imageshack.us/my.php?image=fullmapofjuliicampign235bctr6.png)

As you can see the Senate and the rest of the roman factions still exist (unhappily). I'm not at war with anyone at the moment, and would like to have some advise.
My goal right now is to wage war at the roman senate, but I can't because I don't have enough support from the people. I'm rather stuck right now as I don't wish to start a new war against anyone until I have secured Italy and destroyed the senate.
So, how do I get more support from the people? Making them more happy?
Conquering more settlements?

Regards Wiking.

[UltraWar]

Why not try and get the Marius Reforms?

That could help you gain some more support from the people.

[Bombasticus Maximus]

Yeah or go to war with spain as they won't take much thought to be defeated and then they should give you support you need. Whats the level of your support now?

[Roderic the Emptyhanded]

Crap.
Thanks for the advise. But my computer crashed this morning (again). So I have just started a new campaign. If I have the time I'll upload some pics of it later.

[CountMRVHS]

I'm currently having a very interesting game as the Scipii. Playing H/H 1.5 w/ BI, and no downloaded mods. I have, however, made some modifications to the game myself, so I guess I should start there.

Like many people, I have come to hate Egypt and the way they will always take over the middle east so that by the time you get there they've knocked off other, more interesting factions. So in descr_strat, I gave Salamis and Sidon to the Seleucids, and took away all Egyptian starting units and buildings (aside from family members and core buildings) and modded population size wayyyy down in Jerusalem, Alexandria, and Memphis. Thebes I gave to rebels, as there was no family member in the town -- and I would have given Jerusalem away too, but I don't know how to move family members in descr_strat. Finally, to encourage Parthia, I gave them that rebel town between them and Armenia.

I've played a couple other short campaigns with this setup, and it usually results in Egypt staying put for much longer than normal, but still they will work up the numbers and eventually start to harass the Seleucids. (The ultimate dream will be to mod them out altogether, if I can ever figure out how.)

I decided I'd turtle and otherwise be a good Senate-fearing Roman. There was the usual scrum in Sicily, with the Greeks sending Armoured Hoplites my way, but after taking Lilybaeum from Carthage I was finally able to take Syracuse. For a long time I sat and built, as the only Senate missions I was getting were to blockade ports. The Brutii were doing their usual "on the boat, off the boat" routine, and not grabbing any land, which was driving me nuts, but the Julii were doing ok. After a short time they had kicked the Gauls out of northern Italy, grabbed Messalia and Sardinia, and were working on spreading out into the northern Balkans.

By this time my dipomat had rounded the Black Sea just in time to see Pontus besieging the Armenians in Kotais. Fairly typical, I thought, since Pontus always takes Turkey (those chariots, no doubt). I got map info from Parthia and was pleasantly surprised to see they had grabbed Seleucia, Dumatha, and Palmyra, and were currently at peace with the Seleucids. Seleucia was holding its own, and in fact was only at war with one faction -- Egypt. I had been expecting this, and as my diplomat moved down through the middle east I was expecting to see the yellow hordes besieging Sidon or Damascus. To my surprise, no Egyptians to be found. And to my *delight*, I found that Seleucia had actually captured Jerusalem from the Egyptians! Even with the modding I've done, I've never seen that happen.

I moved my diplomat on down to Egypt to find the Seleucids were actually following up on the war and invading the Nile region. They were holding their own, and kept sending stacks down there, but were never able to capture any Nile cities. They'd besiege Alexandria for several turns but then give up, or be unable to assault successfully. I helped by bribing all the Egyptian captains I could find, and worked on getting an army down there to help the Seleucids finish the job.

Meanwhile, the Senate had finally given me a new mission: take Apollonia. Macedon owned the town, so I worked on a ceasefire & trade rights with the Greeks, then got an army over there and took it. Unfortunately, this act of war against Macedon resulted in the Julii dropping our alliance. I was able to get it back a few turns later, but we never got military access back, which is very frustrating.

I held Apollonia for maybe 10 or 15 turns, at which point the Greeks decided they wanted it back. That wasn't so surprising in itself -- but what *was* surprising was the amount of Armoured Hoplites they brought to the fight. I saw 2 stacks, each half AH and half regular/militia hoplites. Plus ballistae, archers, Greek cav, peltasts. I knew I couldn't hold it and the town fell a few turns later -- despite the efforts of the Julii, who had now captured Salona and Segestica and were interested in keeping a large Roman presence in the Balkans. They showed up as reinforcements in a siege, but it wasn't enough against those monster hoplites.

Rather than try to take the town back, I did something I *never* have to do in RTW, and decided to just give it up and look elsewhere. Greece and Macedon were at war, so maybe eventually one of them would get weak enough for me to exploit. The Senate in the meantime wanted me to grab Carthage. I figured it was time. I set my recruiters to training two legions -- one for Carthage, one for Egypt.

I found Carthage had been kicked from Spain, but had taken all of Africa from Lepcis Magna west. They were making Poeni Infantry and even had a Sacred Band Inf unit in Carthage, with a few elephant units scattered around. All in all, more formidable than I'm used to seeing them.

As I sent my army to besiege Carthage I noticed something strange was going on. The Julii had lost Massilia -- to SPAIN. The Spanish were now, in fact, besieging Mediolanium, with another stack threatening Segesta! A few turns later Gaul was wiped out, collapsing under pressure from the Spanish to the south and the British from the north. Dacia decided to pile on the Julii from the other side, taking their Balkan possessions and eventually sacking Patavium. They must have known they couldn't hold it, because they left it a burning wreck and retreated their main force back north, leaving only a small garrison.

My army down in Egypt was doing what the Seleucids couldn't: I captured Memphis, then Thebes, leaving tiny garrisons in each, and then quickly sent my main army up to Alexandria, hoping it would be enough. About 5 turns later, it was: Egypt was gone.

However, in so doing, I actually *won* the short campaign for the Seleucids! (Of course I decided to keep playing with the long campaign) So much for my fears that they would be wiped out by Pontus. In fact, a few turns later, I got notification that Armenia, and then Pontus, had been destroyed. Map information from the Seleucids revealed that there were in fact only 2 major powers in the East: Seleucia, which had every Turkish region except Pergamum (held by the Greeks), and Parthia, which had grabbed Bostra. I left the Nile cities to the Seleucids and shipped my victorious army back west, where I needed them to deal with two things: my army that successfully took Carthage was now in turn under siege, and the Senate was asking me to take Thapsus as well; and also to help out the Julii by beating back the Spanish.

I haven't dealt with either of those situations yet, but I can't wait. Carthage has a stack and a half keeping me under siege in their former capital, and I just landed my troops to besiege Thapsus, hopefully in time for the mission. Following that, I need to get some damage control up in northern Italy, or the peninsula is going to be overrun by barbarians. And finally, eventually I'll have to head East and fight, for the first time EVER, a strong Seleucid empire. If I get lucky, Parthia will still be around and I'll have to deal with them too. Fun stuff!

CountMRVHS

[WarMachine420]

I'm currently having a very interesting game as the Scipii. Playing H/H 1.5 w/ BI, and no downloaded mods. I have, however, made some modifications to the game myself, so I guess I should start there.

Like many people, I have come to hate Egypt and the way they will always take over the middle east so that by the time you get there they've knocked off other, more interesting factions. So in descr_strat, I gave Salamis and Sidon to the Seleucids, and took away all Egyptian starting units and buildings (aside from family members and core buildings) and modded population size wayyyy down in Jerusalem, Alexandria, and Memphis. Thebes I gave to rebels, as there was no family member in the town -- and I would have given Jerusalem away too, but I don't know how to move family members in descr_strat. Finally, to encourage Parthia, I gave them that rebel town between them and Armenia.

I've played a couple other short campaigns with this setup, and it usually results in Egypt staying put for much longer than normal, but still they will work up the numbers and eventually start to harass the Seleucids. (The ultimate dream will be to mod them out altogether, if I can ever figure out how.)

I decided I'd turtle and otherwise be a good Senate-fearing Roman. There was the usual scrum in Sicily, with the Greeks sending Armoured Hoplites my way, but after taking Lilybaeum from Carthage I was finally able to take Syracuse. For a long time I sat and built, as the only Senate missions I was getting were to blockade ports. The Brutii were doing their usual "on the boat, off the boat" routine, and not grabbing any land, which was driving me nuts, but the Julii were doing ok. After a short time they had kicked the Gauls out of northern Italy, grabbed Messalia and Sardinia, and were working on spreading out into the northern Balkans.

By this time my dipomat had rounded the Black Sea just in time to see Pontus besieging the Armenians in Kotais. Fairly typical, I thought, since Pontus always takes Turkey (those chariots, no doubt). I got map info from Parthia and was pleasantly surprised to see they had grabbed Seleucia, Dumatha, and Palmyra, and were currently at peace with the Seleucids. Seleucia was holding its own, and in fact was only at war with one faction -- Egypt. I had been expecting this, and as my diplomat moved down through the middle east I was expecting to see the yellow hordes besieging Sidon or Damascus. To my surprise, no Egyptians to be found. And to my *delight*, I found that Seleucia had actually captured Jerusalem from the Egyptians! Even with the modding I've done, I've never seen that happen.

I moved my diplomat on down to Egypt to find the Seleucids were actually following up on the war and invading the Nile region. They were holding their own, and kept sending stacks down there, but were never able to capture any Nile cities. They'd besiege Alexandria for several turns but then give up, or be unable to assault successfully. I helped by bribing all the Egyptian captains I could find, and worked on getting an army down there to help the Seleucids finish the job.

Meanwhile, the Senate had finally given me a new mission: take Apollonia. Macedon owned the town, so I worked on a ceasefire & trade rights with the Greeks, then got an army over there and took it. Unfortunately, this act of war against Macedon resulted in the Julii dropping our alliance. I was able to get it back a few turns later, but we never got military access back, which is very frustrating.

I held Apollonia for maybe 10 or 15 turns, at which point the Greeks decided they wanted it back. That wasn't so surprising in itself -- but what *was* surprising was the amount of Armoured Hoplites they brought to the fight. I saw 2 stacks, each half AH and half regular/militia hoplites. Plus ballistae, archers, Greek cav, peltasts. I knew I couldn't hold it and the town fell a few turns later -- despite the efforts of the Julii, who had now captured Salona and Segestica and were interested in keeping a large Roman presence in the Balkans. They showed up as reinforcements in a siege, but it wasn't enough against those monster hoplites.

Rather than try to take the town back, I did something I *never* have to do in RTW, and decided to just give it up and look elsewhere. Greece and Macedon were at war, so maybe eventually one of them would get weak enough for me to exploit. The Senate in the meantime wanted me to grab Carthage. I figured it was time. I set my recruiters to training two legions -- one for Carthage, one for Egypt.

I found Carthage had been kicked from Spain, but had taken all of Africa from Lepcis Magna west. They were making Poeni Infantry and even had a Sacred Band Inf unit in Carthage, with a few elephant units scattered around. All in all, more formidable than I'm used to seeing them.

As I sent my army to besiege Carthage I noticed something strange was going on. The Julii had lost Massilia -- to SPAIN. The Spanish were now, in fact, besieging Mediolanium, with another stack threatening Segesta! A few turns later Gaul was wiped out, collapsing under pressure from the Spanish to the south and the British from the north. Dacia decided to pile on the Julii from the other side, taking their Balkan possessions and eventually sacking Patavium. They must have known they couldn't hold it, because they left it a burning wreck and retreated their main force back north, leaving only a small garrison.

My army down in Egypt was doing what the Seleucids couldn't: I captured Memphis, then Thebes, leaving tiny garrisons in each, and then quickly sent my main army up to Alexandria, hoping it would be enough. About 5 turns later, it was: Egypt was gone.

However, in so doing, I actually *won* the short campaign for the Seleucids! (Of course I decided to keep playing with the long campaign) So much for my fears that they would be wiped out by Pontus. In fact, a few turns later, I got notification that Armenia, and then Pontus, had been destroyed. Map information from the Seleucids revealed that there were in fact only 2 major powers in the East: Seleucia, which had every Turkish region except Pergamum (held by the Greeks), and Parthia, which had grabbed Bostra. I left the Nile cities to the Seleucids and shipped my victorious army back west, where I needed them to deal with two things: my army that successfully took Carthage was now in turn under siege, and the Senate was asking me to take Thapsus as well; and also to help out the Julii by beating back the Spanish.

I haven't dealt with either of those situations yet, but I can't wait. Carthage has a stack and a half keeping me under siege in their former capital, and I just landed my troops to besiege Thapsus, hopefully in time for the mission. Following that, I need to get some damage control up in northern Italy, or the peninsula is going to be overrun by barbarians. And finally, eventually I'll have to head East and fight, for the first time EVER, a strong Seleucid empire. If I get lucky, Parthia will still be around and I'll have to deal with them too. Fun stuff!

CountMRVHS

No offense, but I stopped reading when I saw that you gimped the living daylights out of Egypt. Sorry...just can't take that campaign seriously...no matter what happens in it.

[CountMRVHS]

No offence, but I stopped reading your post after I realized you misspelled offence. Just can't take a post like that seriously. :laugh4: Though in the name of saving people's mouse-scroll fingers, you might try just replying rather than quoting around 4 screens full of text only to make 3 lines of response.

But *seriously*, what's so fun about seeing the same campaign over and over again? Left unmodded, Egypt is guaranteed to plow over every other faction nearby, with the occasional exception of Pontus. For once, as a Roman faction, I'd like to be able to head east and see what it would be like to fight a strong Seleucia or Parthia. Crippling the Egyptians this bad seems to be the only way to stand a chance of getting that result.

[WarMachine420]

What about just removing ownership from any provinces from them? Removing them completely from the game? This way another Eastern power is sure to scoop them up. Just be careful that it's not Carthage who drives out to the middle east picking up all of those valuable Nile wonders.

[CountMRVHS]

To be honest, I'm only just getting into basic RTW modding. In MTW, I could make new factions and do all sorts of things that I can't yet do with Rome. So I didn't take the Egyptians out because I don't know how.

It's not that I have something intrinsically against the Egyptian faction. It would be nice if it was possible to have them still around, and be challenging, but just not go crazy with their conquering. I'd like to fight the Egyptians in Egypt, and not have to chase them up to Turkey.

Anyway, I think I may go back and make some other changes for next time. If I give Jerusalem to rebels and let the Egyptians have the 3 nile towns -- and make those towns fairly decent again -- that might keep the balance.

I'm still with my Scipii campaign, btw. The year is 172 and I own Spain, Gaul, London, and the coastal regions of NW Africa. The Seleucids have kicked the Parthians to Campus Sakae and the Greeks to Rhodes, and they've even managed to wipe out the Scythians! The regions around the Black Sea and north are looking very strange -- the Brutii, Julii, British, and Seleucids all own land around there. I'm just waiting for the Seleucids to start a war with the other Romans.

The Brutii have managed to take almost all of Greece, with the Julii taking the western half of the Balkans. Both of them are now pushing north against the British. The "most advanced" title keeps getting traded between myself, the Brutii, and the Seleucids.

Carthage is still around, but I have their capital Lepcis Magna under siege. Taking that town will put me next to the Seleucids, since they own the province of Libya. My goal after taking the town is to set up a network of watchtowers to alert me of any Seleucid movements in my direction. Those guys are making EVERYTHING now: Armoured War Elephants, Cataphracts, Silver Shield Pikemen, and Silver Shield Legionaries. Units I've never seen before in RTW, unless myself or my wife happened to be playing the Seleucids. Can't wait for the fight to come, although I'm starting to seriously wonder if I can win. I own 26 provinces and my popular support is creeping up, so I may be in a position to take Italy soon.

CountMRVHS

[Avicenna]

My Koinon Hellenon (Hellenic League) campaign with EB v .74. The screenshot was taken a few days ago.

https://img525.imageshack.us/img525/9120/rometw2006080709321303br4.jpg

Right now, I've destroyed Pontus, the Pink/Purple power, but the Pontic homeland has rebelled from me, so is temporarily in Rebel hands.

This has got to be the most entertaining campaign by far, as the generals are more realistic in gaining traits (an lazy, unsociable idiot goes nowhere without ancillaries and a good education, usually in Athens) and the wars are much more difficult. Every inch of ground gained was fought over, and it has taken me 30 years to get to this position: that's 120 turns, longer than Alexander's campaign. Every single settlement taken has required the defeat of one stack at least, and your armies have to be positioned carefully, as they are more expensive to maintain and are necessary for defense. The diplomacy doesn't seem as stupid as in vanilla as well, since the Dacians have done a smart thing and not tried to besiege lightly-held Byzantion.

Pontus was relatively easy to destroy, after they tried, and failed, to spam my army with their troops, that was holding a bridge crossing. After that, less Pontic stacks flying around meant easy pickings, apart from the last Pontic territory.

It's also not just take-and-hold like in vanilla RTW, I've sacrificed a few cities already, taking them only to hurt Pontus.

The generals' difficulty in gaining command stars makes them more valuable as well, and quite frustrating when they gain traits like 'Lover of Beauty'.

All in all, far more fun than vanilla.