Huge units and the russian steppes

For some reason I love playing on the russian steppes with XL... the challenges...So I knew how my games went with default unit sizes, so now I wanted to try them out with huge unit sizes...

One thing to note is that the russian steppes are generally POOR, and your income is ugly...So a small military is almost a given... so your gonna have generally cheap units supported with elites to push you to victory...

So 2 things to consider when struggling for those $ provs...
Novogorod, Muscovy, Levidia and 1 or 2 others...(Crimea & Moldavia iirc)

But those 3 are the main ones...

So obviously to have those are utmost for long term survival, especially if you have a military...

PRIMARY CONSIDERATIONS:

1) Build time... with a slower build time, the unit is costlier, and waiting is aggravating especially if you have empty provs with poor loyalty

2) Poor loyalty ... since having 1 or 2 units is what you see as a garrison, those picky people will give you MAYBE a 125 to 135 loyalty.. and it rises and falls, so you have to watch them and change taxes accordingly...

3) Building builds ... In the beginning, since one is so damn poor, I always build a 20% land, trading post, merchant first, then build town watch or woodland clearings. Obviously $ is main concern or your gonna go into the red within 30 years and die an agonizing death...

4) Military units ... since $ is a primary concern, be exceedingly important, therefore, I choose militia ($200) or Steppe cavalry ($300) compared to Armored Spearmen ($500)

so for the first 10 years (5 units), I send 1 or 2 with the "King" to take the first prov, and the rest (other 3 or 4) with the "king" to take the second. Loyalty is a royal pain here, so keep taxes at very low and slowly build up the loyalty to about 110 before moving King away from occupying stack to attack your next prov.

So generally after 10 years, you should have 3 provs, maybe 4 if you got lucky, with all of them pretty much stable as far as loyalty (so rebellions will be minimized) [loyalties ~ 110 to ~125], [taxes at very low]

5) Empty provs ... Here is a real sticking point. Since your 'heartland' is gonna be cranking out units, the units are going to be sent out to occupy new provs, so your core provs will be empty and VERY weak. So for the next 10 years after your initial gains, expect your taxes to drop in your core provs as you strengthen the loyalty of your conquered provs.

Expectations: If you build wrong, built too expensive troops, have too many units, your money WILL BE GONE, and not coming back for a LONG while.. basically restart the game, and try it again...I have played each faction like 4 times before I saw this pattern, as each faction is a bit different as we'll see below...

FACTIONS:

1) Novo: Go after Mucovy immediately, THEN build up your units to go after Smolensk.. Rebellions will be an utter pain and fact of life if your loyalty is too low.. and SMolensk sends big stacks, which can be killed, but will slowly kill off your troops, lowering loyalty further... VERY aggravating:furious3:

Those 3 provs will be your "CORE" as Novo & Moscow will be your cash cows once you have 80% farming and merchants up. I know Moscow to be pretty good at 1000 florins (& more) a turn and with 2 militia, it's a very profitable prov indeed.

Ally with Lithuania/Kiev or Volga/Kiev. Either way, your gonna be going after somebody soon, so with the money, you can build a small "offensive" force, this is where I build Armored Spearmen and mounted crossbowman. I usually go after the Volga and Cuman and surround Kiev for a nasty backstab strike later on.

Currently, at 1210 I own all of Russia and I border Poland, Hungarians, Byz, and the Swedes. In this current game, the Swedes are the Danes and are starting to rampage thru France/England... so it would be suicide for me to fight them with the Mongols coming soon.

2) Volga Bulgars: Instead of building Militai, build steppe Cavalry. Go after Moscow immediately!. The prov doesn't rebel, in fact, most of the time, I just leave 30 steppe cav there with my preacher and the prov doesn't rebel... so it's a very "safe" prov too.

Ryazan was a pain until I found out I need to take it with 4 Cav, and I had to bringin 2 more units to fight off rebellions. I then built a few more to take Khazar, so after say 15 years iirc, you will have 4 provs, all have trade stuff, and Moscow being your cash cow prov.

I build only cheap cav and keep taxes low, and build up agriculture/$ bldgs like mad. Volga will be your advanced bldg prov. At 1210, I still only have a castle...so don't expect to be mr. tech geek.

I took out Chernigov/Smolensk/Novogorod. And with those I have good Cash cow provs and a good overview of Kiev and I also took out Lesser Khazar/Levidia/Crimea for added provs with trade items too..:)

At this point, I am making ~1000 to ~1500 florins net, so I am currently saving up since I need to buy military for the Mongols. I also built up Novgorod with a royal palace in case I loose my home prov, so I'll have a backup capital.

3) Cumans: Plays unlike all other factions in that it has 5 provs and is bringing a good amount of money from the git go.
Immediately take Khazar, build up & take Georgia...the Byz are pretty good about not attacking you, even if neutral. Make SURE you ally with Kiev...since Levidia will be your "empty prov" as it is cranking out units left & right.

I build up Agr/Merchants and actually have time for Keeps/Castles.. so the Cuman actualy can (within reason) go after building up to keep up the tech race.

Go after Volgas and so you should have Ryazan & Volga

IF YOU CAN... take Moscow for a cash cow prov.. it isn't critical, but if you can, take it!

If you can't, solidify your holdings, for a stab against the Novos sooner rather than later.

The Cuman CORE is Moldavia/Levidia/Crimea. And to protect them, I keep a full stack with a good gen right in Moldavia... it keeps the Hungarians & Poles honest, since Kiev are allies.. your back is secure while you conquer east & north.

POOR FACTIONS

1) Lithuanians: These guys, I've played 4 times, and I have taken Chernigov, Smolensk, Ryazan, Livoda to be backstabbed by my Kiev ally (every time) as he takes my home prov (which is empty)

I start off taking Chernigov & Smolensk to keep Novo/Kiev honest (I hope) as I go for Livoda..

What I need to do is keep a small stack, like 3 units (militia) to keep the Kiev away from thier consistent backstabs..

So note that Lithuania can expand and fast, but due to Kiev being the way they are, it forces you to keep a force at home to defend it...:(

2) Kiev: These guys are just in a poor money area, even the provs of Chernigov/Ryazan are little compensation since this faction is cash por with no cash cow provs to hit. (And yes, I have thought of the Chernigov/Smolensk/Moscow run to get there before the Novos or Volga get to it):furious3:

I start off going after Chernigov and Ryazan (maybe Smolensk) to keep the lithuanians to the west fighting the Novos.

Due to the "being in the middle", Kiev need to keep it's provs garrisoned which means sucking up precious $ that could be used to conquer another prov.:wall:

So ultimately I would have 3 or provs, and be broke all too soon, since my military has to keep the loyalty up, which sucks up my cash, and I am not bringing in acsh anyways...:(

Ok, the above post is for Early... and remember, using Huge units too..

This is the High era post..:P Some things I found were interesting, others I had to learn the hard way..lol

The whole thing in dealing with this time period is one simple fact...

The MONGOLS are coming!!!!!!!!!:help:

so when dealing with that fact, you must pay close attention to the clock, since your very life can (and does) depend on it.

Being later on, the Russian steppes have more advanced troops, each a little more expensive, but worth it, especially in terms with armor.., and the ability to "stick around" when fighting non-armored foes.

The tech differences between west & muslim & pagan are more pronounced as the Order & Novos had the best troops for defensive ability and armor, while the Lithuanians have the best generals, but an insanely bad starting position.

Obviously the "western steppes" wil outlive the eastern side as the Mongols storm thru the region, so note that as well when playing a faction.

As stated before as far as prime considerations... $, empty provs, timing, loyalty/garrison size still come into play...

TOP FACTIONS

1) Teutonic Order: They start out with 1 prov, but the battle for estonia will make sure your King is the baddest bastard around to kick some Novo/Moscow behind...

I build nothing but merchants/banks & switch them to very high taxes & keep it there... I also build nothing but Order footmen, those good defensive troops will save your hide for the oncoming storm in Estonia...

I usually wait 4 years until I have 2 footman, then take everything and attack.. make sure to adjust taxes to very low, and then constantly supply footman to keep the stack living until estonia gives up.

When I was done... I played this same thing 3 times BTW...

I had a 9 star King with field defense specialist and last stand specialist, so he got a +4 command when defending and being outnumbered.. which happened ALL the time..:P Oh and the whole stack saw valor of at least 5, the King had a valor of 8 or 9.. in other words, the guy was a war machine..:)

10 to 1 in casualty rates were seen, so he rocked..:)

With that in mind... you will unleash the dogs of war on the Novos and soon on Moscow... You'll need those super high star princes when the Mongols come...

I used 2 OF to garrison Estonia and 2 in Novo as my stack was in Moscow looking to tear into the Mongols.

Remember to build agri/merchant/banks in Novo + Moscow, since those are your cash cow provinces...

Since your making $, you can actually use your killer to tackle mongols in Ryazan/Volga and another in say Lithuania/Chernigov/Smolensk to ass some territory while your holding back the mongol hordes to build up a prince to war machine status...

2) Novogorods: They also start out with 1 province, but since it's already a cash cow one, $ will be less of an issue.. 1st target.. Moscow...

Ally with the Lithuanians and the Teutonic Order...so that your exposed rear is covered..:P

Once again build up merchants/Agri and build nothing but halbediers or another VERY good defender.. trust me the Mongols ARE coming:help:

I build up with 2 Halberds, and strike, using the excess to build up the defenses and the stats of my King, he needs it as well..
I got Expert defender, so hey, a +2 on defense, not bad, but with the Mongols, then he'll become a defending genius... (+4) [not sure if there is better, but it's pretty good none the less]

After Moscow, I take my King w/ 3 halberds and take Smolensk.. and fight off more rebellion...:)

So here are your core 3 provs, 2 great cash cows, and 1 good prov...$ should be of little concern for the near future...

Note: Sweden does do unprovoked attacks.. so protect Novogorod
Note: The Mongols are RELENTLESS!, they attacked me basically every turn, so my general just sat there and spanked them as he built up slowly to get ready to attack.

Be careful of your military, since your not made of $, the provs are good, but you can build a "too big" military, so be careful....

3) Cuman: Here, with the knowledge that the Mongols are coming, what to do.. easy.. attack Kiev and take thier lands...Kiev at this time is actually pretty good as far as a cash cow...

Now rememebr Cuman in the early era wasn't too bad since it had 5 provs to tax.. we'll by this time, that easy money NEEDS a cash cow prov just to keep garrisons, even something simple like 2 UM per prov.. not bad really, but when looking at cash, it hits the pocket book..

So you need extra cash.. and Kiev is just the place...:P

What to do.. build trading posts in all 5 provs and build UM, or slav warriors.. you'll see why in a bit..

take ALL THE TROOPS and head for Levidia.. so you'll have a couple of empty provs.. son't worry the AI never seemingly attacks another faction on the 1st 2 or 3 turns...

on turn 1 I take the Levid/Lesser Khazar block and take Pereyaslavl (only a temporary take).. you'll see why..

What this does is freeze the rest of thier army in Keiv so you can make your stack and get ready to invade...

Move the garrisons being made and move them toward Levidia...destroy/raze the prov so that it will be useless to Kiev...

Next turn, a rebellion WILL hit...don't sweat it...ignore them

so take the stack in Pere and move to Kiev, and move the rest of the troops to Kiev...it will be bloody if he stays, but most likely, he'll flee...to a useless, broken province...Now you have Kiev and can make some cash... good cash...

Adjust to very high taxes to see the cash cow flow...

Now, in the provs that didn't have town watch, build them, while the other provs, make merchants...

so when the watches are made, start making UM's since you'll need cheap troops to garrison....as your money is running pretty low by now...

So in a few turns, you'll take those original garrisons you made and add them to your stack in Kiev and to destroy the Kiev group..

In my last game, when I took them out, they ransomed them off for 10K florins, so I am swimming in gold right now building up merchants and agri to build up my econ, since I'll need to fight the Mongols all to soon.

MIDDLE FACTIONS

Lithuania: Once again, these guys are surrounded, and now due to the Teutonic Order, it looks even worse...:furious3:

I build up Merchants/Agri and build halberds and take Chernigov, with the intent on take Smolensk to make a 3 prov core...

unfortunately, just like in early, these 3 provs are dirt poor cash wise, and troops will just suck up resources all too fast...:(

Russians: Kiev has Moscow and so has some money coming in, but the problem is that Moscow and Kiev are split...So the idea is to unite the regions by taking the middle... Chernigov and Ryazan. The NEED for allies is crucial, especially with Lithuania and the Cumans...if those 2 can be done, then your all set..as you WILL have to deal with empty prov syndrome...

I have Moscow build Boyars and Kiev build halberds.. everybody builds merchants/agri!

Note: Ryazan is a PAIN IN THE ARSE!!!! as it has rebellions like I never wanna see again...:furious3: No matter what faction (except the Mongols) it rebels like I have not seen except like what I see in Estonia...

At this point, you will most likely be sapped out of cash, and cannot build anymore.. with Novogorod still to be taken..:(

POOR FACTIONS

Volga Bulgars: This one is about Survival, plain & simple...

The main objective is Moscow at all costs...

Build Kazinchis instead of Steppe Hvy Cav... the initial costs are what ya need right now...

I got 2 Kazinchis and launched everything to Moscow and dropped my taxes in VB to Very low...as I am building merchant to merchant guild to bring in cash afaic (as fast as I can)

there WILL BE rebellions during this timeframe, so it's not the "safe" prov like in Early at all anymore.

Note: Novo will be trying to take it away from you.. since they too know it's a good cash cow prov..

Due to the pathetic money coming in and the constant rebellions, I didn't even have $ to attack Novo, instead the Novos attacked me and I went bac to square one basically...

But if the Novos play dumb somehow.. then keep the troops in Moscow and wait for an opening while you slowly build up merchants/agri in your cash cow.. and strike at Novo to take it...

By then the Mongols WILL BE there knocking on your door, so your life might be shortened..:(