My Two cents about Early Almohad campaign. (Expert.)
First of all, I’m not pretend that my ideas are very new, or innovative, but I think they can help to newbies grasp good & bad sides of this Faction & realize it’s main strategic goals.
I made complete analyses of 4 (most important) years in Almohad faction development (1087-1091), due to fact that “big battle” in end of 1090 could bring any results to different players – then it’ll be “mittelspiel” of some sort, but this is rather “debute” guide. Well, let’s begin.
1. Direction for Almohad assault.
Strategically Medieval – Total War is “territorial” game. Many “territories” – many taxes – many raised troops - more “territories” – more taxes – more raised & more developed troops – more… & - lesser enemy territories – lesser enemy taxes – lesser… You know routine.
Then warfare here isn’t “when” question (answer is as soon as possible), but – “where”.
Almohad has two possible enemies - Spain & Egypt. Let’s check situation logistically. Almohad “troop producers” are – 1) Cordoba & 2) Morocco. At the start position it’s possible to bring fresh-produced troops from Cordoba to Spanish-held Leon & Castillo immediately & from Morocco after one turn (via Cordoba). In case of attack against Egypt we need 3 turns of waiting for troops produced in Morocco (via Algeria, Tunisia & Cyrenaica) & 4 turns for Cordoba’-raised troops (Algeria, Tunisia, Cyrenaica & Morocco).
It is the same story as Napoleonic assault vs. Russia in 1812. You can bring rather spectacular Army, but it’ll be wear down by stubborn resistance of local population without fast transport of support forces from your “heartland”. (Yes, this situation will be improved after port installment in… Cyrenaica, for example, but you’ll need Port here as minimum & another port (or Ports!) in Cordoba, or Morocco. By the way, you’ll get Spanish activity against your most precious Cordoba immediately, & Cordoba lost means you wilting away as result. Common sense is – don’t get big forces out from Cordoba region till Spain is alive. Well, we see that we MUST attack Spain in any case, but what about possibility of Egyptian invasion into Cyrenaica?
Yes, this danger remains & will haunt you in debut, but take in consideration that in case of big war – Egypt would be in “Napoleon shoes”, but you’d play as “Russian side” in 1812 War. Nice proposition…
Next consideration is logistic as well. I wouldn’t “open America” by revealing the fact that King placement is vital for rebel suppression in your Empire. King must be placed in most developed city of your country & his influence diminishes with any province between him & province in question.
Your most developed Province is Cordoba. Let’s give it “0 Rebel factor”. Then “1 Rebel factor” would get – your Morocco & Granada provinces. If (or when) you begin your expansion this “1 Rebel factor” would get – neutral in the start Valencia & Portugal & Spanish-held Leon & Castillo. It means that taken Leon & Castillo without Faith & Natural Rebelliousness factors would get you the same unrest level as your own Granada & Morocco! Let’s see the same chain longer: “2 Rebel factor” is your own Algeria, neutral Navarre & independent Aragon; “3 Rebel factor” has got your own Tunisia, English-held Aquitaine & French-held Provence. It means that you’ll rather begin fighting with England & France (for getting same chances in pacifying taken provinces) then begin offensive campaign against Egypt!
Third & last consideration is your troops initial placement. Main bulk of Almohad forces is under Iberian Peninsula. You can begin fighting in 1088-1089 at quickest. You can attack Leon or Castillo - both of them are military producing territories - then destroying any of them means that Spaniards are deprived from most needed military resources. (Faster attacking mean lesser problem with them later.)
Well, it means we’ll get our targets!
2. Almohad troops & ideas for Almohad building & troops development.
First of all, let’s definite – what is our ultimate goal? Complete world conquest, or “Glorious achievement” (for Almohad it is preserving of Antioch province from Christian’ forces invasion till beginning of XIII century – if you check Antioch province & Almohad faction placements it means the same complete world conquest by other words). It means that we need some formidable military forces indeed. But any big forces means – big “military maintenance” as well. Check Soviet Union situation – great military expenses wear this mighty military power down, - then you must find some balance between your forces battle strength & your money spending for military.
Money balance is: your income = taxes from your Provinces + international Trade + “spoils of the War” as result of your Victories; your spending = military maintenance + building price + bribing (if needed).
It means – you’ll try to develop your Provinces to the brink as soon as possible & you MUST keep best possible attitude with main trade powers for money aspect. For spending issue it means – you must use two sort of troops: unrest level is counted as function from number of “soldier heads” stationed in Province – then it is smart idea to use largest possible troops with small maintenance for garrisoning purpose & “crack troops” for actual fighting & subduing of possible rebellions in your Provinces. (For example – most sensible “pacifying group” in Iberian Peninsula is – “ShutzShaffel command” with Khalifah as Commander placed in Cordoba with relatively small garrisons in Morocco, Granada, Portugal, Leon, Castillo & Valencia.)
Almohad has access to two 100-man units: Muslim Peasants & Nubian Spearmen. Forget Peasants (just never produce them!), because they have strictly inferior stats in comparison with Nubians, but their maintenance cost is equal! Just imagine – you can drive Toyota & Audi for the same maintenance cost. Yes, Toyota is sensible car, but choosing Audi (if their maintenance cost is equal) is more sensible. By the way – their battle stats let Nubian Spearmen be Almohad’ “living wall” in the battle – any battle, - just don’t wait from them anything spectacular & you’ll your “money worth” return. (Oh, don’t try moving your “living wall” in the battlefield, - they are for protecting your sensible parts in emergency case there – not for assaulting, aren’t they?)
Nubian Spearmen can be produced by next requirements: Fort, Town Watch, Spears & most important thing – “African provinces”! You’ve got only four Provinces in Africa & taking in consideration – you won’t fight with Egypt in early stages it means that this situation will remain very long. Let’s check them.
Cyrenaica is most poor from all of your Provinces & its neighbor is big, good developed & military-producing Egypt of your enemies. If Egyptians want to play foul with you – you just haven’t any chances to keep Cyrenaica. Then it is advisable to keep this Province “clean” in debut phase. See it as “empty” Byelorussia from Russian point of view in consideration of possible “European invasion” in Russian lands. Don’t develop any road-net, or industry here – enemy must find “clean” Desert & you’ll get time for meeting enemy in Tunisia. Then there won’t be any Fort here. It means – no Spearmen from Cyrenaica in debut phase.
Tunisia is completely different case. There is a Gold in Tunisia, then you won’t want to give up this Province easily. You will build Fort here as soon as possible, but not for Spearmen purpose. If you will play Almohad (or any Muslim faction) long enough, you’ll find out that most painful thing for you will be constant Crusades from Catholic countries. It’s not very big problem for your “Iberian provinces” – you will get military enough there for repelling away all these bothersome Crusaders, but your “African underbelly” – is different case. Morocco, Algeria & Tunisia have got Gold & become “feeding cows” for your economy. But they haven’t any formidable enemies in vicinity – then it’s most sensible idea to keep only weak garrison forces in your African provinces. Then your naval forces must protect them. Tunisia is good place to produce Dhows – it needs Fort, Keep, Port & Shipyard for this task. Any Dhow needs 3 years for completing – then you haven’t any chance to insert Town Guard or Spear in “building queue” in start, or divert Tunisia productive forces for meager Spearmen in price of invaluable Dhows!
Algeria & Morocco. Only places to raise your Spearmen, but… You must take in consideration that all your “support units” (except Murabitim Infantry) have “African origin”. (Your most used “shock troops” will be AUM – formidable Almohad Urban Militia & you will raise them all over Iberian Peninsula as… mushrooms after warm rain!). African origins have Nubian Spearmen, Desert Archers, and Berber Camels & Sahara Cavalry. Sahara Cavalry is sub-par unit usable only for chasing down crippled enemy, or some suicidal tasks – taking far-placed bridges for example & you don’t need raise them from the start. It need Fort, 20% Field improvement & Horse Farmer – wrong calls for debut building queues (except Fort, of course) anyway, then you can wait for mittelspiel phase & raise them in Cyrenaica Province (it has Sahara Cavalry specialty).
It means that you need raise Nubian Spearmen, Desert Archers & Berber Camels only. These units have different usage: Nubians – main Garrison Force, Desert Archers – glorious as “spearmen stopping” force in defense & Berber Camels – are MUST if you need dislodge enemy spearmen in attack situation. From other point of view – you already have 5 units of Desert Archers & you will produce other 2 as minimum due to fact that it is sensible idea to produce only Desert Archers in Morocco Fort in 1087 & 1088! (It’s just a waste of money to produce Muslim Peasants, Urban Militia or plain Archers – instead of Desert Archers!)
7 units of Desert Archers… Well… Let’s pretend that you will lose couple of them in “Spanish Campaign”. I can assure you that even 3 units of Desert Archers is enough for “Assaulting Army” due to their defensive Nature & if you can completely lose more then four stacks of Desert Archers “defended by infantry” in 2-3 “offensive” battles – I’m afraid you’d better play in some other game instead. It means that you won’t need any Desert Archers in some time period after 1088 till 1100. Berber Camels is different case.
You’ll get in Game start only 3 Units of Berber Camels. They are simply invaluable in “offensive mode” when escorting your Khalifah (I strongly advise against it) or Almohad Princes in battle. (You don’t need run headlong into any enemy “Militia” or “Spearmen” crowd by your “Royal” unit. Use Berber Camels previously. Oh, by the way – your main private menace will be Spanish Jinettes, which have bonus vs. Armored troops. Your “Royal” unit (Ghulam Bodyguard) & main “shock troops” (Almohad Urban Militia) are Armored & slower then Jinettes, then… Then Berber Camels is good “screening wall” against Jinettes with a fair speed as a bonus. They are very important units in debut of Almohad campaign indeed! Just NEVER send Berber Camels in battle without “royal” unit company – you’ll just lost them…
You’ll need Fort, Keep, Town Watch, Bowyers, Bowyer’ Workshop for getting Berber Camels. These requirements just kill off any ideas about these installments in Algeria region (too slow for actual fighting), but Morocco province is right call for them. Just one consideration – Morocco already has Fort, Town Watch & Bowyer (you can raise Desert Archers here), but Keep building take 8 years! (It means that you can’t produce Berber Camels in debut phase at all, but it is good idea – dedicate Morocco Province to their producing from start.)
But it is sensible idea – to churn out hordes of Desert Archers till moment of meeting all Berber Camels requirement? I’m not sure (but question is still open). Then I dedicate Morocco Province to producing of all “support forces” of African origin, - Desert Archers, Berber Camels & Nubian Spearmen as well. It leaves Algeria Province for most important path as well.
Let’s check – Morocco, Algeria & Tunisia have Gold resource, Granada has Silver. Tunisia is dedicated to Dhow producing & its building queue is full. Morocco is dedicated to Berber Camel producing & its building queue is packed as well. Granada must produce AUM units as fast as possible. (Taken Spanish provinces will get their queues filled to brink – trust me.) Then Granada can’t dedicate itself to money-producing as well. It means that Algeria MUST go into economical path of Development – not into military path… Do you see?
Then we’ll get very simple building debut strategy for Almohad African Provinces.
1. Cyrenaica – nothing. Nothing at all. Period. (Later – Fort, 20% Field improvement, Horse Breeder – Sahara Cavalry).
2. Tunisia – Fort; Keep; Port; Shipwright – Dhows. (Later – Gold Mine, Dockyards Baggata.)
3. Algeria – Gold Mine; 20% Field improvement; Gold Complex; Fort; Town Watch, Bowyer; etc…
4. Morocco – Spears (Nubian Spearmen), Keep, Bowyer Workshop (Berber Camels), Gold Mine, Siege Engine, Siege Engine Workshop (Catapult).
Iberian Peninsula Provinces:
5. Granada – Fort, Keep, Town Watch, Town Guard (AUM), Silver Mine, etc…
6. Cordoba – oh, it’s tricky business….
When I clearly see necessity of production & building queues in any other provinces – Cordoba building queue is rather difficult. The trickiest thing is – understanding when you must stop your initial “territorial burst”. My initial idea was – “hit them hard, hit fast & stop only if you stay alone”. Then – most sensible thing is creating Royal Court in Cordoba, produce Ghulam Bodyguard here & - hei-ho to World Domination Conquest. Alas…
Main problem of Almohad is – it’s Muslim faction, but all conquered lands is Christian’! Then any conquered Province will need big pacifying garrison until complete subduing. Big pacifying garrison means big military maintenance, etc, etc… Them Almohad for prosperity need “cultural expansion” more then actual “military conquests”! Production of Alim & Mullah for Almohad is more vital then any hanky-panky military gadgets! You MUST CONVERT population of conquered provinces as fast as possible for getting chance keep only 1 stack of cheap Nubian Spearmen for pacifying effect, but use your high end troops for further expansion.
Then any taken Province will get the same receipt for building queue: Fort, Keep, Mosque (Alim), Ribat, Town Watch, Town Guard (AUM) & anything else what do you find appropriate after that NECESSITIES. (Your goal is bringing Muslim population to 90% of taken Province.)
Then most important Cordoba queue is – Mosque (Alim), Ribat, Tavern (Assassin), Palace Court (Ghulam Bodyguard – rather for repairing, then for actual producing) etc…
3. Most effective opening for Almohad by years.
1087
Check all your forces. Give them all your available titles, considering Loyalty & Acumen stats. Take a notice that “Amir of Algeria” & “Amir of Morocco” titles give “+1 Acumen” as well. Try to give title “Amir of Algeria” to your most “enlightened” candidate (AUM or Berber Camels unit preferably) & give him title of “Qadi al Quda” as well (another +2 Loyalty & +2 Acumen). Second best candidate become “Amir of Morocco” – all other four Amirs distribution isn’t important – many of them will die in first 6 years anyway… (Oh, don’t give any titles to Peasants – you won’t send Peasants in the battle & can’t kill them from that & Peasants always get very nasty Vices very soon.) Make your distribution? OK. Then begin our shedule:
Emissary – isn’t relevant now – Try to use him by any means, if you can.
Cyrenaica – nothing. Move Berber Camels & Desert Archers from here to Tunisia.
Tunisia – Fort (400 fl). Move Saharah Cavalry & Desert Archers from here to Algeria.
Algeria – Gold Mine (1000 fl). Move your Khalifah & Berber Camels from here to Morocco.
Morocco – Spears (200 fl). Desert Archers (250 fl). Move your Berber Camels, Desert Archers & Muslim Peasants from here to Cordoba.
Granada – Fort (400 fl). Move AUM, Desert Archers & Muslim Peasants into Cordoba.
Cordoba – Mosque (400 fl). AUM (200 fl). Keep all your forces here.
1088
There is an important notice – please, begin checking for Loyalty levels in Provinces. Lower taxation, if it is lower then 104%.
Cyrenaica & Granada are empty now.
Tunisia – send all local forces (Berb.Cam. & Desrt.Arch.) into Algeria.
Algeria – send Sah.Cav & Berb.Cam into Morocco.
Morocco – Des.Arch (250 fl). Send Khalifah, Berb.Cam, freshly produced Des.Arch. into Granada.
Granada – AUM (200 fl). Send 1 Berb.Camels, 3 AUM, 3 Des. Arch, 3 Peasants into Castillo. (Total – 700 men.)
In 4 cases from 5 Spaniards just evacuated their troops from Castillo to Leon (they had only 221 men here.) In 1/5 probability they will resist, but 700 men against 221 is really easy match-up…. Bad thing is – in case of battle you’ll must to Siege Toledo castle after your victory, good thing is – enemy King will get very nice “perks” as “Good runner” & “Eager to retreat” that is very fine in enemy Monarch case! But more often then not – Spaniards just go out from Castillo without any complaints. Then – it’s chance.
You can get Toledo castle in very different condition. Very often I’ve got it almost intact & could build Mosque immediately. Castillo is very important Province due to fact – it’s placed very important from topological point of view – them Mosque here make further conquest – pure cakewalk, then – for most hard situation we get situation when we got only “bare” Fort here.
1089
Your treasure is 3458 fl now. You’ve got first Almohad Prince now – Yusef in Morocco Province. It’s terminal moment – see Prince Yusef stats. If they are really lame (very bad Vices for example) – begin consideration of beginning all game from the start (you’ll lose only 4-5 minutes, if Spaniards didn’t fight you in Castillo), but it is rather seldom. (Usually AI present Yusef with good Virtues due to your “fine Performance” in Castillo assault.)
In any case – this is a schedule:
Cyrenaica, Tunisia & Granada is empty now (don’t forget to adjust local tax levels – last thing for your pleasure now – is Rebellion in Tunisia or Cyrenaica.).
Algeria – 20% of Field Improv. (600 fl). Send Berb. Cam & Des. Arch into Morocco.
Morocco – Keep (1000 fl). Nub.Sprmen (150 fl) Send Sah.Cav, Berb. Cam & Prince Yusef into Cordoba.
Cordoba – AUM (200 fl). Send Khalifah, Berb. Cam & AUM into Castillo.
Castille – Keep (1000 fl). Adjust local taxes to lowest possible level. It’s usually enough for keep Castillo from rebellion.
1090
You’ve got second Almohad Prince – Ali in Cordoba. His stats are ALWAYS worse then stats of Yusef (due to “unfruitful Nature” of 1089 for Almohad). You can improve them by fighting in 1089, but any fight means that you would lost Castillo to Rebels & it isn’t very smart idea. It is time for big fighting now (you will complete Forts in Tunisia & Granada in 1091 – then you will need “war bounty” for keeping your building program intact. Well, let’s spill some blood now!
First of all – check all stats of both of your Almohad Princes. If both of them are lame – you are in jam. If Ali is definitely bad, then keep him into Yusef Army. If not – then spare him from death by sending into “Cyrenaica front” against possible Egypt invasion & local rebellions.
If you’ll send Ali away, you’ll get next “assaulting force” distribution – Yusef (Ghulam Bodyguards), 1 Saharah Cavalry, 2 Berber Camels, 5 AUM, 6 Desert Archers. I can assure you – it’s just “killer” stack for any possible Spaniard’ defense! (Just don’t send them into stupid uphill battle – better sacrifice your Sahara Cavalry bringing enemy from the hills. By the way – Leon Province is dense Forest Province. Then – your best bet is sending your AUM units through the woods, where they are protected from bothersome Jinettes, but just superior to any possible Spaniard Infantry – enemy Spearmen – just laughing stock in the woods in comparison with AUM & their Urban Militia just can’t hold a candle against your “AUM killers”. Pepper forest outskirt with your Archers & simply wait. It’ll be time when Spanish King will arrive with a visit (he just like hacking your Archers!) & my AUM guys killed him in these woods 9 times from 10 possible!
Your further strategy depends from your losses in this most important battle – there will be heavy losses I must warn you – just try to keep as many Berber Camels as possible.
This battle means end of Spanish faction (in case of Spaniard King survival - he is confined now in besieged Leon castle & after his death... you must destroy Spaniards in Navarra. Easy job now...). Now it's time to "mop down" enemies in Valencia &... Portugal. (Portugal is very tough to subdue due to their high Rebelliousness, but Almohad shine in Defensive mode of battle, not in assaulting mode - then Portugal is your chance of creating "super-pouper killer stack" here. Just take a rule - fight "stiff defence" battle & you'll get fine!
Check your forces - you will get only Princes & Khaliphah Ghulam Bodyguards, 3 Berber Camels, 6 Almohad Urban Militia, 7 Desert Archers & 1 Saharah Cavalry until 1100. (It's time for pacifying conquered land - not for new "acquiring".) Begin new "outburst" only after you'll be ready for that. Don’t go into Navarra or Aragon prematurely (wait until Muslim population in Portugal, Castillo, Leon & Valencia raised up to >60%). Entering these lands before that bring full-scale war with England & France.
Prince Ali (if you preferred to spare him) go to Tunisia with 1 stack of Desert Archers. (You’ll must to distribute your Nubian Sprmn by African Provinces by 1 into each Province (except Cyrenaica). When you’ll get Prince Ali, 1 Desert Archers & 1 Nubian Spearmen in Tunisia, you can raise Cyrenaica Taxe3s to very high level & provoke them into Rebellion. It is sure way to higher your Prince Ali stats. Portugal would be the same playground for Prince Yusef.
Berber Camel usage - they are invaluable for "Bridge" fighting (In Valencia & Aragon Provinces). You’ll must use “cavalry charge” distribution & run to (& across) bridges as fast as possible by Ghulams & Camels if Bridges are “free”, or hit any bridge defenders by Camel arrows until coming of your precious AUM.
Oh, don’t raise any AUM troops in Cordoba after Cordoba Mosque completion – it’s waste of money on maintenance, because you will be confined into Iberian Peninsula rather long. Cordoba is birthing place for numerous Alim units. Your conquest is Conversion of “infidels” but not bloody killing…
That is that.
Sincerely yours, Alex.
[This message has been edited by A_Bashkuev (edited 10-11-2002).]
