Tricks and Tips How to Keep the Armenians Alive in XL Mod

There was an idea in another topic as to list the most challenging tasks in MTW... I never managed to do it.

So any ideas, tricks and tips how to survive and build an empire with the Armenians...?

Errm.. I never play that faction but I guess the principical is the same as any other one-province faction; be nice to your surroundings, make sure one of your neighbors allies with you, etc. Forget about building naval power. Your ships will more likely cause trouble for you.

Usually Egyptian and Turks do not go to war right away in the beginning but Byzantines and Turks do. In this case I'd take on the Turks..well, since they surround you (Turks hold Antioch in my game in early). Rum is an advanced province so make sure that's the first province you invade. It's easier to defend later on when you become the besieged (I hope that's not happening lol). I would wait until Byzantines and Turks go to war before I invade Rum. If they don't go to war by 1090 then I'd just invade Rum anyway. Use the King to garrison Lesser Armenia and use the hero (I forget the name) to invade.

Well, i had a diffrent strategy when i played the armenians. I build ships and invaded Malta and from there i invaded the italian peninsula and serbia. but this was a gambling and i was lucky...Anyway, I think it is a good idea to have a island to place your prince in. Then you don't have to lose when the enemies invade your homeland.

~D It's easy when you're cheezy!

I think I detailed my strategy in the XL thread.

Strategically you're in the middle of a crap sandwich, the key is to make your neighbors eat it while you steal their meal. I started off on a ransoming war against the Egyptians. I got there too late to take the Sultan but I captured a lot of troops. Basically just wage a war for profit. If you know the cheesy tricks like using your mounted archers/crossbowmen to take out troops as they stand there you’ll be ok.

On the defense: Just remember that Armenia itself is fairly easy to defend and that the computer thinks in two year cycles. You leave to attack the eggies one year, and return the next to foil its plan. Make sure you produce at least one ship to guard the coast against seaborne invasion. Other than that just use sound tactics and build up your defenses.

It took me until the High era to subdue Africa and the Turks; after that I wanted for the Mongols to arrive to weaken the Byzantines and moved in for the kill. Now the Eastern Roman Empire is the de facto Holy Roman Empire.

Oh yes, and make sure you groom your heirs. Don’t prune them because you need those extra horses.

On horses: I started the game with a different XL version than I have now. In this new version all the medium cavalry become heavies and they’re a little rougher in the desert. I recommend modding the spreadsheets to allow Lesser Armenia to produce AHC, that should do the trick.

Any other way I can help?

Thank you for your thoughts and posts! Keep 'em coming.

This is the thread Vladimir is refering to, by the way

I am currently busy with my Hungarian, XL, High campaign but I will give Armenians a shot afterwards and keep you posted :wink: