http://tinypic.com/usermedia.php?uo=...c#.U-dADGMel60
Finally got round to setting up screenshots. This is the current Parthian situation.
BTW merc hoplites are flagged as 'slave' only and not area dependant.
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http://tinypic.com/usermedia.php?uo=...c#.U-dADGMel60
Finally got round to setting up screenshots. This is the current Parthian situation.
BTW merc hoplites are flagged as 'slave' only and not area dependant.
Dunno. Never sent a spy over there to see. I would assume they had some Ellies...Tingi is a recruitment center for them:shrug:Quote:
What kind of units did the Moors have?
They doubled the attack value of Rhodians and Balearics...but the unit files and projectile files don't flatly state that the attack value is AP. And there is a difference...AP means that 1/2 the armor value is used when calculating losses....(not sure if shield bonus is halved, as well)Quote:
The point I was trying to make is that the devs seem to be saying lead shot (bullet) was AP historically
Send a general into Phrygia or Ionia. There's Cretan's, Hoplites, and Bastarnae there. You could also put a general on a boat and send him to Bosphorus. There's hoplites there, as well.Quote:
I haven't seen any around Parthia or I would
Looks like the Romans haven't done much...that's surprising. Germania seems to be kicking butt, as does Dacia. The Greek Cities eating up Macedonia is also a surprise. The biggest surprise is that 26 years into the game and the Scipii haven't even occupied Sicily??~:eek:
I've only got one diplomat toddling around up there and he's on his way back. The most recent maps are Germania and Macedon. Aye, Germania is doing better than I've seen before (maybe because Scythia chose to attack me) and I aint seen any sign of Greeks in Turkey (concentrating on the mainland? - and there are still 2 large pontic armies wandering around out of picture).Quote:
Originally Posted by ReluctantSamurai
I've just played that turn to turn end and I've got 800 left and a building I was unable to pay for. Mercs are out of the question til I can get some spare cash. The battle up at Alanni was a corker - my COA general against a Scythian powerful enough that I couldn't assassinate. Hatra taken.
Finally, you can see crossed swords on the Antioch bridge. I had besieged and at turn end a size 20 Egyptian attacked - they died as did the garrison.
Just how large is your garrison at Alanni and Sakae (including family members)?
dbl post
http://tinypic.com/usermedia.php?uo=...c#.U-ea1WMel60
http://tinypic.com/usermedia.php?uo=...c#.U-ebFWMel60
http://tinypic.com/usermedia.php?uo=...c#.U-ebW2Mel60
The army in Alanni has been consolidated (big losses).
I am pretty sure EB slingers get a bonus vs armour, I think that is one of their attributes. The Armoured Elephants are spaced out too much, I think only Seleucia and Carthage can train them. I know I found the Merc Hoplites, I have seen them in Tribus Sakae, and somewhere else. I know I used them as Parthia, and I never got out of the main starting regions.
From the descr_mercenaries file (found in Data>world>maps>campaign>imperial_campaign) there are six steppe regions with merc Greek hoplites:
Tribus Sakae, Tribus Alanni, Tribus Sarmatae, Maeotis, Scythia, and Bosphorus.
In each of these regions there are Sarmatian Heavy Cavalry, Scythian Horse Archers, and Greek Hoplites.
You're awesome. That merc combination sounds pretty effective. Combined with some of the mercs that are not in all of those regions, Bastarnae, Thracians, Merc Peltasts, sounds like you could stage a pretty good war from that area.
http://tinypic.com/usermedia.php?uo=...c#.U-kiPWMel60
And I thought Turkey would be a mop-up. Greeks and Pontics say no. This is the start of the turn and it's fair to say the Greeks will attack at turn-end. I'll leave it and go back later.
This is all vanilla RTW. I think cash is the key. You know if you did nothing first turn as Parthia you'd lose a large slice of your meagre 5000 start money. I get rid of evrything I don't immediately need and head toward Phraaspa with my only remaining army.Quote:
Originally Posted by Vincent Butler
Be interesting to see as Pahlava (Parthia in EB). Definitely heavy cav and horse archer. Back to RTW, Phraaspa should be your first target. For me, next time I start, I will try to kill Campus Sakae's population growth, just leave some EI for garrison, and use that army against Seleucia, or elsewhere if needed. Maybe use some of Susa's army there as well, or use Susa (depends on what it has) to immediately carry out an offensive before the enemy even reaches Susa, keep the fight out as far as possible. It seems conquering is imperative, whereas with Rome or Greece you can trade some first. At least a strategy worth trying, and if it doesn't work, oh well.
When you do let us know.Quote:
Originally Posted by Vincent Butler
I find it hard to separate the two. For instance as Greek Cities, all the cities you take have ports. Athens in particular is a great trade hub for cities all around.Quote:
Originally Posted by Vincent Butler
Right, Athens is awesome, I have had it showing over 12,000 denari. I probably won't start with Parthia till my Greek campaign is over (or gets boring), so no telling how long that will be, will mention it when I do start, probably when I have a battle with Greece that I don't feel like fighting. Maybe I will start one just to try out that strategy. If I do, I will show it. Too bad my Mac version disk is scratched so I can't reinstall it (removed it after botched attempt to install EB mod, do not mod a Mac if you don't know what you are doing), otherwise I would try it now. I have to wait till I get home. Rome and Greece start with good trade, Greece especially, so if you want to trade with say Pontus and Egypt you can. Macedon and Rome will attack you, but you can afford to let them start the war. It seems that you need to really go on the offensive with Parthia to gain some good trade, Greece it is not as necessary. By the way, how do you guys post the screenshots?
My method.Quote:
Originally Posted by Vincent Butler
PC: Press PrtSc and the .tga file is saved to the tgas folder on your disk.
To find the tgas folder - open computer from the start menu. Select the C: hard drive. Type 001.tga into the search box at the top right.
Wait for the search to complete then select the file - right click on it and select 'open file location' and the folder with all your screenshots will open.
Sort the folder by date modified and your latest screenshot will be at the top. Double click on that file to see it and check it's what you want. You need to convert tga to jpg and upload to the net - view on the net and copy and paste the path into your post.
I'm looking forward to seeing some :)
Again I make the suggestion to relinquish Sakae, and disband anything you can't use. You saw what happens in ws's campaign, and it's happened in virtually every Parthian campaign I've played. With Alanni so close, Sakae will become Scythia's first target. I know it's counter-intuitive to give up a town that can make you money (bad for a poor-to-begin-with faction), but the repeated Scythian incursions are both a PITA, and a gradual drain on funds. Not saying it's the best way, but it removes a tempting target. Ship what's left of your garrison south for the push to Seleucia. The lost income from Sakae will be made up quickly.Quote:
For me, next time I start, I will try to kill Campus Sakae's population growth, just leave some EI for garrison
[I still think you should start with Armenia until you get real familiar with horse archer fighting.]
I use FRAPS. I then convert the .tga to .jpeg (I usually edit the pics for clarity or cropping) and upload to Photobucket. FRAPS is a free d/l, and works quite well for me.Quote:
By the way, how do you guys post the screenshots?
So how do I upload it to the net? I guess that is what I was wondering. I don't know if I can paste the picture into this thread, my permissions says I may not post attachments, I don't know if that would be an attachment. I guess I can attempt it, though that will have to be when I get home as well. Perhaps somebody in the know can clarify how that works. I do see an insert image option in the toolbar.
Pick your photo host (there are several out there---mine is Photobucket), and start an account (they're free). Once you have an account, you can upload directly from whatever file you have your screenies stored.
Scythia targets Sakae? In the few Parthian campaigns I have done, only two or three on E/E, I have not seen that, but I may have just explained why, or they petered out too quickly. I guess your way makes sense, but I will probably attempt my way first. I will not fortify it against attack, just kill population growth and have minimum number there for public order. If I do achieve ZPG there right off the bat, that should take care of the unrest, right? Keeping it should distribute the cost out more. If Scythia attacks I will let them have it, just disband the units inside and let them take the city. WS, you are on VH/VH in your campaign, right? I may try Armenia first, I would have but my brother has one with them right now, though he is currently playing BI instead. Whatever I do, I will keep you guys posted. Right now I am having too much fun decimating Spanish units with my Armoured Hoplites, BWA-HA-HA. Bridge battles against Round Shield Cav. Guess who's winning that one. Only one problem: I can't just retrain my Heavy Peltasts.
I see that the "insert image" just gives the option of posting a URL, so I will have to figure out what I want to do there. The [IMG] code is on, so it says I can embed images into my posts. I will have to try that out.
First Parthian game I played I didn't see Scythia at all before I ended it. This game they attacked Kotais forcing me to take Allani resulting in three further invasions :) I guess what Scythia does depends on whats happening at the other end of it's territory.Quote:
Originally Posted by Vincent Butler
I googled '.tga to .jpg' and chose one of the results given for online conversion. Definitely can't recommend any.Quote:
Originally Posted by Vincent Butler
I also didn't have a host. I chose tinypics because it has a government department advert on it (if that's a recommendation). Plus all they required was an email address. As RS says there are plenty available.
Probably changes from campaign to campaign. I had more public order issues there. Again, I don't think I got ten turns into any of my Parthian campaigns, I may have gotten to five in one of them.Quote:
First Parthian game I played I didn't see Scythia at all before I ended it. This game they attacked Kotais
RS, what do you know about the Saka Rauka? They are a steppe faction from EB, and indeed, the name Saka tells you that they come from the region in question. They seem similar to Parthia, though they do get some later Greek-style heavy infantry.
In my first several Parthian campaigns (which, admittedly, are far fewer than my Armenian camps), they always went after Sakae. When I dumped Sakae (usually within the first 3 yrs), I rarely had problems with them.Quote:
Scythia targets Sakae?
As Armenia, there's a 50/50 chance they come to Kotais. Unfortunately for the boys in orange, by then, Kotais is a walled city lined with archers:wall: If they try again after the first debacle, I have at least several CA's by then and the drubbing gets worse. So...I don't go after them. I let them come to me, and I bribe every brigand stack containing archers (most cost only several hundred denarii) and put them into Kotais and Artaxarta. They go into Artaxarta for the same reason...when some Parthian Pasha decides he would like to be entertained by his harem in the halls of Artaxarta, he gets to rest instead on the pincushions that once was his invading army~DQuote:
This game they attacked Kotais forcing me to take Allani resulting in three further invasions
Not much. But I found this:Quote:
RS, what do you know about the Saka Rauka?
https://www.europabarbarorum.com/fac...a_history.html
Apparently some kind of tribal form descended from the Scythians:shrug:
Not too much is known about them. They were once described as "All Saka are Scythians, but not all Scythians are Saka." Congrats on another award, by the way. Started Armenian campaign on M/M, did not get too far before I decided that my "don't start a war" plan was wrong, restarted and went after Pontus. Was moving down to take Halicarnassus, still not wanting to attack Seleucia, Seleucia attacked my three general/four horse archer army with two full stacks of Militia Hoplites. I owned them:hmg:. Took Sardis, when Seleucia besieged I sallied forth and they just ran. On M/M, the enemy is more likely to cut and run to save the army instead of fighting it out. Preparing to go after Halicarnassus. Starting to prepare Kotais for the inevitable Scythian attack. Am allied with Egypt, moving a diplomat towards Greece. Will try to remember to do screenshots.Quote:
Apparently some kind of tribal form descended from the Scythians
While I had been fighting Egypt and Scythia, rebels had popped up all over the place (not helpful when you're struggling for cash) and I had no spare units to deal with them. So after the big battle at Alanni I took the general and 3 HAs south to start cleaning up. I left my usual peasant garrison in Alanni and stuck a spy in Sarmatae. I saw the next 2 small incursions coming - the first I built 3 HAs and got a heroic victory (still no MotH) then disbanded them. The second I bribed for 6k.Quote:
Originally Posted by Vincent Butler
Rebels are a real problem for Parthia. I find I can't auto-resolve at all (to avoid casualties I know I won't take). Plus the small army I had needed boosting by mercs to succeed in some cases. BTW still not seen a merc hoplite including as rebels (which I believe 'slave' means).
Oi - some of those guys are best friends!Quote:
Originally Posted by ReluctantSamurai
No Parthians nosing around?Quote:
Starting to prepare Kotais for the inevitable Scythian attack
Hopefully, you read my Guide to Armenia? It pretty much covers everything you need to know, and how to start out with them.Quote:
Started Armenian campaign on M/M, did not get too far before I decided that my "don't start a war" plan was wrong, restarted and went after Pontus.
About as reliable an ally as the Greeks. Oh wait...they ARE Greeks~DQuote:
Am allied with Egypt
Wow...it's rare for Seleucia to be the aggressor. Usually it's me going after them.Quote:
Seleucia attacked my three general/four horse archer army with two full stacks of Militia Hoplites.
We'll make a horsemen out of you yet:bounce:Quote:
I owned them
Another reason for staying the heck away from Scythian regions...too many brigands. Scythia, Britannia, and Germania seem to get more than their share of them...only in the vastness of the steppes it takes forever to get to them.Quote:
While I had been fighting Egypt and Scythia, rebels had popped up all over the place (not helpful when you're struggling for cash) and I had no spare units to deal with them.
You won't see them in rebel stacks much, but in the six regions I posted above, you can recruit them as mercs.....Quote:
still not seen a merc hoplite including as rebels
They nose around alot, but in my games, when the AI takes a look at what's sitting inside Artaxarta...they go away without attacking. I did have them lay siege to Artaxarta once, mainly because the their army had one of their two starting cataphracts in it. Vanilla archers don't do a heck of alot of damage to Cats, but each attempt by me to break their siege cost the AI 10-12 horsemen. On the third attempt, I sallied the entire garrison, overwhelmed what was left of their Cat unit, and drove the rest off. They didn't come back again...'course it didn't hurt to have a small cat-army stationed at the border~;)Quote:
No Parthians nosing around?
The rebels I had to deal with were all in the southern lands. Just about one per region. At the time I sent my general south there were none in Scythia (one has since appeared in Sakae). I've killed about 8 and not surprising others have appeared - interestingly a sequence of 3 in Kotais province. My understanding is each region has a percentage chance of rebels appearing, some higher than others, but that's all it is - a chance. You mention Britain. My last world conquest as Greeks I took Britain and left a small army to deal with rebels. That was a waste of money because precisely zero appeared.Quote:
Originally Posted by ReluctantSamurai
I am not disputing what you say, just pointing out my experience for anyone viewing. I've loaded my last saved game and there are no merc hoplites available where I was able to check (Pontus, Parthia, Armenia and Seleucia). I'm sending my little rebel-busting army into Scythia to deal with the rebels in Sakae - I hadn't seen merc hoplites previously up there, maybe I will this time.Quote:
Originally Posted by ReluctantSamurai
http://tinypic.com/usermedia.php?uo=...c#.U-od2WMel60
Britain and Ireland when I finished playing - no devastation (I checked the cities), and the army I left in London.
I think all those watchtowers has something to do with that:creep:Quote:
My last world conquest as Greeks I took Britain and left a small army to deal with rebels. That was a waste of money because precisely zero appeared.
It's not what I'm saying...it's what the descr_mercenaries file sez....Sakae, Alanni, Sarmatae, Maeotis, Scythia, and Bosphorus....all have merc hoplites for hire:book2:Quote:
I am not disputing what you say, just pointing out my experience for anyone viewing.
I think some people don't realise how useful watchtowers are - at 200 a go they're great value.Quote:
Originally Posted by ReluctantSamurai
I have wondered if the have any effect other than as spies. This is a quote from elsewhere in this site (frogbeastegg’s Guide to Rome)
Quote:
Contrary to popular enduring rumour, watchtowers do not reduce or prevent rebel stacks spawning
No, but Seleucia just attacked Artaxarta with a double full stack army. My garrison is a general, a Cataphract, two HA's, and two Peltasts. a I sallied forth, but twice they charged their Militia Cav at my HA's, the first time the charge took out seven of my guys, then my Cataphracts got ahold of the MC and they took off. Second time the MC decimated the HA's before I could get my general over there. My general got tangled with Phalanx Pikemen who took longer to rout than I anticipated (still too used to E/E where they would have routed when the General hit), ditto the Cataphracts against Militia Hoplites. That battle ended a draw, I ran out of ammo and did not want to take more casualties than I had already taken. I am sallying out, I think I will target their missile troops (Peltasts and MC) so my own Peltasts can hit their MH. My HA's have 22 and 29 left, general is down to I think nine, Cats into the twenties or thirties, I don't remember. I probably will dispatch some reinforcement HA's, as Kotais now has Heavy Spearmen and stone walls. I am avoiding going after Scythia, their is a half strength Rebel army on the bridge north of Kotais, so I am leaving them there as a buffer against Scythia, not much trade to come from Alanni, anyway.Quote:
Originally Posted by williamsiddell
I have found Egypt to be a pretty steady ally, actually. Greece, Rome, and Britain are horrible allies:thumbsdown:. My wars with Egypt are almost always started from a neutral stance, and then with a blockade. Speaking of Greeks, I distrust the large army they have near Sardis.Quote:
About as reliable an ally as the Greeks. Oh wait...they ARE Greeks
I guess it was too much temptation, four HA's and three generals, all cav vs MH, well, there was one unit of Levy Pikemen and one Peasant unit as well. I like to distract infantry with one unit and volley them from behind with another:dizzy2:.Quote:
it's rare for Seleucia to be the aggressor
That's been a disaster for me several times. The worst was when I had 3 Horse Archers and one was charged by ordinary cavalry (it might even have been rebels). My HAs retreated to the red line and then routed. A third of my army just gone.Quote:
Originally Posted by Vincent Butler
And no cataphract barracks nearby no doubt. As Parthia I ended up down to a unit with 1 cat before I got the barracks at Antioch.Quote:
Originally Posted by Vincent Butler
Sounds like you've got a serious fight on you're hands.
I think I can handle it, especially as I can just withdraw to force a draw. I will be reinforcing anyway. Their phalanx pikemen are gone, as are all but one of their Militia Cav and numerous MH units. They came from the Phraaspa side, so I was totally unprepared. No, no Cat stables, can't afford one right now, though Kotais may be getting one soon after this. Money is a bit low, I will have to suspend building for a couple of turns.
That is another thing about EB. Your barracks is where you train your infantry, cav, missile, and siege units. Different ports give different ships, you actually need a naval port to build warships. Again, more expensive, longer to take as turns are by season, four turns to a year instead of two, but considering 15,000 is the cost of the max barracks (you have to build levy barracks separately, same costs I think), it is cheaper than building multiple barracks, archery range, and stables, as the top levels of each in RTW are 9,600 apiece, not including prices to get to that point.
Yep, you learned the hard way just like everyone else (including myself) that you MUST micro-manage vanilla horse archers.....constantly. For Armenia, the task gets easier once you begin recruiting Cataphract Archers. They can take care of themselves against anyone's cavalry, so they don't require constant attention.Quote:
My HAs retreated to the red line and then routed. A third of my army just gone.
It still happens even though I try to keep an eye on it! it's easy in a big battle for an enemy cav unit to charge out of the ruck without me realising what's going on til it's almost too late.Quote:
Originally Posted by ReluctantSamurai
I would still say it is a good idea to have vanilla HA's along, if only for running down the enemy, CA's are more of a specialized unit. Armenia does not get a light cav unit otherwise. Also being more nimble, HA's can run around the enemy flanks better, whereas with the CA's you would more use them as a static emplacement, and if necessary they can smash the enemy, though that task is better left to the Cataphracts. Chariots will not be a major factor, especially once Egypt is gone, and Egypt usually fields two or three, or sometimes more units of chariots with each army, so two CA's might be a good idea. An all cav army seems like it might require too much micromanagement. I guess I will have to experiment, four HA's alone with two generals will not do when I have to fight Rome. WS, are you still on Skirmisher Cav generals? I don't know what I prefer, the missile generals or the post-Marian Cataphract generals. I think I would rather have the Cats, though the pre-Marians can run people down better. But HA's can do it while shooting, so there is really no real need for the generals to do it, I think Cats are better.
You pretty much have to until you cross the mts. to Tarsus and Antioch. After that you should have enough money to start recruiting Arab Cavalry. If you've never used them before....trust me, no other cav unit is as quick in the desert (read as fleeing enemy generals no longer get off the battlefield~D).Quote:
I would still say it is a good idea to have vanilla HA's along, if only for running down the enemy
I don't like using Mercs, I will do it though, for the reason that I can't retrain them and they can only be recruited regionally. Most of the time I use them to increase the size of my army, though units like the Cretans, Spanish, Peltasts, or slingers I will recruit to be part of my army. Historically mercs were used widely, so I guess I could just recruit them to take over a region and leave them there when I leave. I use some Arab Cav, more as a unit to fill an army. Taking out generals as they run would be nice, I did not realize they had that speed advantage.
You can check out their stats here:
http://rtw.heavengames.com/rtw/info/units/MercUnits/
They can be found in these regions: Regnum_Palmyrae, Arabia, Nabataea, Sinai. The ones found in Palmyrae and Arabia come with an experience chevron.
They have double the attack and charge value of HA, and a total defense of 11 vs. 3...so they can stand quite well in limited melee (even better with armor/weapon upgrades) and not just chasing routers. They utilize the same open formation horse archers do.
As to not being able to retrain...I just keep an extra around solely for replacement. Their replenishment rate is fairly fast, and you can recruit from two regions (Arabia & Palmyra, IIRC).
Heheheh......use the very same tactic, myself, a defending army with no upkeep costs other than slight devastation:bounce:Quote:
their is a half strength Rebel army on the bridge north of Kotais, so I am leaving them there as a buffer against Scythia
I'm new to horse battles and there's a tactic I've been considering but not yet used. I usually have 3 Eastern Infantry along for sieges. Where I see cavalry amongst the enemy army I'll set up with a front line of EI, loose formation and stretched as thin as they'll go. Horse Archers set up in a line just behind. The EI will have two functions - absorb enemy missiles and stop a cavalry charge long enough for me to target the enemy cavalry with all my HAs.Quote:
it is a good idea to have vanilla HA's along
Aye, too much like hard work for me too. I'm always looking for the easy option.Quote:
An all cav army seems like it might require too much micromanagement
Had to get used to those - I try to use up the missiles ASAP and then use them as traditional heavy cavalry.Quote:
missile generals
I avoid them too, especially if I'm strapped for cash. I only consider them if they fill a functional hole in my army, or if I'm short-handed.Quote:
I don't like using Mercs
Same here.Quote:
I did not realize they (Arab cavalry) had that speed advantage
Yep, good idea - provided you know Scythia is coming, otherwise they're just another strain on your already tight purse. Plus they might be a cheap source of reinforcement. When I take Mazarka I send a general all the way to Hatra building watchtowers, then sit back and wait for the inevitable rebels on that road. The Egyptians always send a large army by that path - might as well let them kill the rebels :)Quote:
a half strength Rebel army on the bridge north of Kotais
Okay, that's it! I'm gonna kick War Elephant ass. I was attacked by a full Greek army including 8 Armoured Hoplites (I only ever have 3 in my own armies). I charged (if that is the right word) a war elephant unit into one of the AH. The elephants promptly routed back through my own troops. I exited the battle just in time to stop me smashing the computer screen.
I've taken the elephants aside and given them a good talking to. They've been told that next time I'm gonna park them in defensive mode well away from my own troops to take advantage of their high hit points and good defense and if they don't attract plenty of enemy fire they'll be disbanded next turn. I hope that does the trick.
RS - you can keep them :) BTW have you seen the AI using flame arrows against them.
I've just seen a merc hoplite in Alanni. :balloon:
Sadly, my war elephants are now pushing up daisies. :wings:
Quote:
An all cav army seems like it might require too much micromanagement.
Do you two not know about the grouping function? Or the "draw' method...where you draw out where you want your units to go (and you can do multiple units at the same time)?:inquisitive: I certainly don't manage a 20-unit Cat army individually one-by-one:dizzy2:Quote:
Aye, too much like hard work for me too. I'm always looking for the easy option.
I usually do the opposite...remove skirmish mode and fire-at-will, then turn on FAW when chasing routers....Quote:
I try to use up the missiles ASAP and then use them as traditional heavy cavalry.
Quote:
I did not realize they had that speed advantage.
I know my posts can be a bit long-winded and boring, but......I've been touting the advantages of Arab Cavalry in desert conditions for quite some while now:wall:Quote:
Same here.
Sigh...Your commanding generals attributes are...??? Your support units were...??? You have to understand the strengths/weaknesses of the unit before you can use them properly. First Rule...Ellies primary purpose is not to kill the enemy, but to cause disruption. Ellies, on their own, do not cause a lot of fatalities. You can see this if you zoom in close...they knock down or toss enemy soldiers, most of whom get back up. This leads to the Second Rule....Ellies need support in the form of a cavalry charge. I cannot stress this enough. If you read through the Ellies thread in the Ludus Magna, you will see this stated repeatedly by various posters. Once your Ellies hit, pull them back out of the line and let your cavalry clean up the mess. Regroup them, and find another point in the enemy line to disrupt.Quote:
The elephants promptly routed back through my own troops. I exited the battle just in time to stop me smashing the computer screen. RS - you can keep them :) BTW have you seen the AI using flame arrows against them.
In Shogun, there was a similar unit that gave players endless frustration....muskets. For players that learned how to use them, there was great joy and satisfaction at demolishing superior enemy numbers. For those that didn't know how to use them...well, computer screens had a rough life:laugh4:
As to the use of fire arrows...I've only ever had "baby elephants" go amok on me...never, ever, had a War Ellie or an Armored Ellie go bezerk. I actually prefer enemy archers to waste their time shooting at my ellies because there's simply no effect.
In any case, Parthia gets Heavy Cats so there's no overriding need to use Ellies.
Not all mercs populate their respective regions right away. Some take time to be available, and after that are available based on the replenishment rate given in the desrc_mercenaries file.Quote:
I've just seen a merc hoplite in Alanni.
I know about grouping and drawing, but I think four HA's is about the max I can handle at one time. For how I use them, the group and draw won't help, since they only stay in the same area, not together, I use pairs, one unit to divert the enemy, one to shoot them in the back. I will usually have one pair on either side of the enemy army to hit the wings. That tactic requires supporting heavy cav to protect against the enemy's own cavalry. I guess I need to upgrade my stables to at least Cat Archers or Cats, whichever one is first. Will need to build up my money supply. In my Armenia campaign, Parthia finally attacked by besieging Artaxarta. I was tired of fighting battles by then, and Pontus also besieged Sardis, so I got off the game and played some BF1942.Quote:
Do you two not know about the grouping function? Or the "draw' method...where you draw out where you want your units to go (and you can do multiple units at the same time)?
I remember one of your posts, you said something to the effect that only Light Lancers are faster. Keeping a supply chain of AC seems like too much bother, especially when you I destroy most armies so that they rout anyway, and up north I can hire Barb Cav mercs, I know they are not as good, but they would only be for running routers down anyway.Quote:
I've been touting the advantages of Arab Cavalry in desert conditions
Yes, I have, in a town, I moved my elephants out of range, so I will take RS's word that they do not run amok from arrows, they do sometimes when they get boiling oil from trying to batter in a gate, if they don't all die first. I know that I have seen at least War Elephants go amok from boiling oil, I have not used Ellies enough to see how my own do in battle.Quote:
BTW have you seen the AI using flame arrows against them
As you get more proficient with them, that number will increase. You begin to get a sense of how long you can have your attention elsewhere before you need to come back.Quote:
I think four HA's is about the max I can handle at one time
Cat Archers come first and somewhat eases the need for micro-managing. If you get Vahagan advanced enough, and combined with an armory, you get +1 or +2 exp chevrons along with armor....sweeeet.Quote:
I guess I need to upgrade my stables to at least Cat Archers or Cats, whichever one is first.
You made two mistakes, IMHO. One you already identified yourself...splitting your empire. The second is not eliminating Pontus before taking on the Seleucids. While you are picking up some nice money-making cities, you don't have the cash to fight a multi-front war, and your better units require cities to reach 6k and you need the time to construct the barracks. Pontus, the GC, and the Seleucids get decent enough troops to fight you without the need for more advanced barracks. So...grab Sinope, Mazaka, and Nicomedia quickly while eliminating Pontus, then consolidate while developing your infrastructure. Parthia is easy to contain...once their two starting Cat units are gone, they are no threat for a long time. Once you get to Heavy Spear and CA's, it's like swatting a gnat~DQuote:
In my Armenia campaign, Parthia finally attacked by besieging Artaxarta. I was tired of fighting battles by then, and Pontus also besieged Sardis, so I got off the game and played some BF1942.
Once you get Sinope to start producing Heavy Spear, you can go toe-to-toe with Greece. Heavy Spear is not as good as an Armored Hoplite, but they certainly can hold their own while you work your majik with the HA's, and certainly not every Greek hoplite is going to be of the armored variety.
Bottom line...move slower. That seems like the antithesis to what we discussed earlier (acting like Mongols), but, as Armenia, you need to balance the needs of consolidation with conquering. You really start to roll only after you can start filling out your armies with Heavy Spear and Cats.
They do not run amok from arrow fire ONLY if you have them in the hands of a better than average general that has morale-boosting qualities/ancillaries (a cavalry general is optimal as ellies are classified as cavalry, but those kind of generals take some time to develop). I cannot stress this enough. Ellies are too expensive to waste them on a fledgling general with a couple of command stars. I never, ever give them to anyone with less than 5 stars, and a bunch of attributes that boost unit stats...the most important being morale.Quote:
so I will take RS's word that they do not run amok from arrows
Had I not made the first, the second wouldn't have happened. Had I attacked Nicomedia instead of Halicarnassus (still don't know what I was thinking), Seleucia would not have attacked me because my army would not have been where it was. That said, I learned a valuable lesson about what HA's can do to pure infantry armies. Greece has attacked. I promptly kicked their tails. I will train my HA's as garrison in Halicarnassus, then go north to Nicomedia. I posted that Pontus besieged Sardis, it was Sinope. Sardis is rioting because I was unable to afford to upgrade. That should change soon, I first had to upgrade Sinope to a large city, which took more money.Quote:
You made two mistakes, IMHO. One you already identified yourself...splitting your empire. The second is not eliminating Pontus before taking on the Seleucids
Then the Lord awaked as one out of sleep, and like a mighty man that shouteth by reason of wine. And he smote his enemies in the hinder parts: he put them to a perpetual reproach. Psalm 78:65,66 KJV
And neither do I. I rate them as too slow, and HA battles are too long as it is. I know about the grouping function - I don't use it much because I mostly use smaller armies that are easily controlled as it is.Quote:
Originally Posted by ReluctantSamurai
Not at all. Doesn't mean I won't disagree though.Quote:
Originally Posted by ReluctantSamurai
Fine - my experience is the opposite (never seen ellies not go amok). You're sold on them, I'm not - they're hard work and expensive and I can win without them.Quote:
Originally Posted by ReluctantSamurai
That's my main gripe with Parthia - long missile battles and, because of low cash, auto-resolve is practically not an option.Quote:
Originally Posted by Vincent Butler
I have used AC occasionally, but like you say I can win without them. Against Egyptians I sometimes pick up mercs. Usually there are camel options and AC - in the past I've chosen the camels (mostly archers for their range).Quote:
Originally Posted by Vincent Butler
I think I've only seen the AI using flamed missiles (archers and onagers) in sieges and I don't use them myself. I don't build archers as Parthia, but I'll take a couple of units along in the desert and see what happens with flames. And I've finally found a use for incendiary pigs - apparently they are 'very likely' to make ellies run amok.Quote:
Originally Posted by Vincent Butler
You clearly enjoy detailed gameplay - I just use the units available then and there.Quote:
I never, ever give them to anyone with less than 5 stars
And you didn't answer my two questions about the leadership and support. My guess is that you had neither, and that's why they run bezerk. It's like sending a tank company out to do battle under the command of the battalion chaplain and without infantry support....they get murdered.Quote:
Fine - my experience is the opposite (never seen ellies not go amok)
I'm just trying to give you the benefit of my experience. Trust me, I went through the same thing when I was first learning how to use them. And my reaction was the same...I quit using them. But if you're going to 'use the units available', and you want to play Parthia, Carthage, or Seleucia, you should learn how to use them effectively. They are a battle winner like few units in RTW are.Quote:
You clearly enjoy detailed gameplay - I just use the units available then and there.
Ahem....you did ask which faction provides the biggest test....and now you are finding out why~;)Quote:
That's my main gripe with Parthia - long missile battles and, because of low cash, auto-resolve is practically not an option
Leadership was terrible - the Greeks assaulted my city with little within, my main army was outside trying to survive. Support: 2 generals just behind, but the ellies were taking so long to get to grips I had to deal with action elsewhere and they had routed by the time I got back.Quote:
Originally Posted by ReluctantSamurai
I can organise my armies - what I mean is if you're running three armies for instance you have to use what generals are around.
Not complaining about that. It's definitely entertaining and a test - doesn't mean I like it all :)Quote:
Originally Posted by ReluctantSamurai
Update on my Cavalry Commander of Genius: Still no more kids after 10 years. Scarring may be responsible for that. Soligdianus the Mange is however belying his name with 3 young kids.
BTW I've got 10 generals but no military genius so far (235bc)
I know at least with Rome, they take a while to have kids. Barbarians, no. Realistically it probably was the other way around, Julius Caesar said that for the Germanians, to have had knowledge of a woman before the age of twenty was a disgrace, and the longer you waited, the more prestige you had.
Quite so. Later on, if I don't get good generals, I will just take an additional heavy cav and use him as the captain. Roman generals usually have to work for it, though I have seen a general come of age with seven stars, don't ask what traits he had as I don't remember. Military Genius was probably one of them. Those kind are very rare, usually I don't see higher than three or four.Quote:
you have to use what generals are around
So fail on the two biggest rules regarding ellies. Any wonder why they underperformed?:no:Quote:
Leadership was terrible...Support: 2 generals just behind, but the ellies were taking so long to get to grips I had to deal with action elsewhere and they had routed by the time I got back.
Two general units is meager support to begin with...and they went elsewhere temporarily, leaving the ellies essentially without support. Ellies are far slower than cavalry, and you have to take that into consideration. When I echelon a cav unit behind them, I send the ellies off first, and when they are about halfway to their target I send the cav. The ellies get a short time to rumble about after their initial impact, and then the cav hit. The ellies are then backed out of the line to regroup. It's a deadly combo.
Bad luck of the draw:shrug:Quote:
Update on my Cavalry Commander of Genius: Still no more kids after 10 years.
And speaking of your Cavalry Commander of Genius...why weren't the ellies under his direct command? That's a 10 star leader and the kind you need to command elephants:inquisitive:
35yrs into the game is not enough time in my experience. It's usually the second or third generation that gets the 16 year old military genius.
He was one of the generals in behind (and I didn't take the generals with me - I was readjusting other units).Quote:
Originally Posted by ReluctantSamurai
Here's the problem. I had 12 units including the elephants facing a tough size 20 Greek with 8 AH. It was Ancyra and I decided not to risk my army in a city the Greeks were going to besiege. So I parked them outside and left a merc light inf inside. The Greeks besieged with the big army and a smaller one adjacent. I assassinated their general and then they assaulted.
My leadership was therefore poor, but so was theirs (no general). The target AH in question was marching and had spears in the air when the elephants attacked, and I reckon in those circumstances it is a poor show that the elephants couldn't last the minute I was away. It makes me think that where leadership is equal (e.g. both sides have good generals) the same would happen.
Parthia aint exactly a general producing factory - I'll keep my fingers crossed.
I will say this one last time, and then no more gaff from me...it's not the elephants, it's the player using them. Lack of experience on how to use them and when to use them. When you get in some good experience with them, your battles will look more like the Carthaginian elephants in the game into...~;)Quote:
I reckon in those circumstances it is a poor show that the elephants couldn't last the minute I was away. It makes me think that where leadership is equal (e.g. both sides have good generals) the same would happen.
Same here. But there is divided opinion about elephants, including with experienced players. In a real battle (i.e. not involving the AI) using elephants will be like a slow heavyweight boxer telegraphing a right hook. Where the elephant attack will come will be no surprise to the enemy. Against the AI I don't expect to get much more experience :) They're just too fiddly.Quote:
no more gaff from me
Who used by the AI would get owned by the Praetorian Cohort, against the cav maybe a different story. If the AH were marching with phalanx up, they should not have decimated the Elephants. Same thing happened to my Cataphracts against Militia Hoplites. They don't get their anti-cav bonus with spears up, do they?Quote:
your battles will look more like the Carthaginian elephants in the game intro
I've agreed with RS that I've said enough about a certain unit which will remain nameless (let's just say it's got big ears). Aye, it was a disappointing outcome.Quote:
Originally Posted by Vincent Butler
Actually I am curious in general, phalanx units not in phalanx don't get the bonus vs cav, right?
They didn't:Quote:
If the AH were marching with phalanx up, they should not have decimated the Elephants.
Quote:
a war elephant unit into one of the AH. The elephants promptly routed back through my own troops.
Reverse that and it's the Praetorians who get owned.Quote:
Who used by the AI would get owned by the Praetorian Cohort
They shouldn't, but there might be an issue there that needs investigation.Quote:
They don't get their anti-cav bonus with spears up, do they?
Cataphracts and Elephants are two of the most powerful units in the game. They are not, however, invincible. Set them on an impossible task...let them get flanked or overwhelmed by sheer numbers and they will fail. A single Cat or Ellie charging head-on into a group of enemy units does not exactly instill fear and disruption. But a wall of flesh and steel bearing down on enemy lines and striking at full charge, will likely win the battle for you right then and there.Quote:
Same thing happened to my Cataphracts against Militia Hoplites.
I'll get down off of my soapbox now:soapbox:
:creep:
There seem to be lots of things about this game that are not fully known, mostly I think because much of how the AI behaves is not open to plebs like us. Two examples - ten years on and I still can't get a definitive answer about rebel spawning and I have no idea of how Man of the Hour is decided. The best you can do is run little tests if you come across possible issues like that to satisfy yourself.Quote:
Originally Posted by Vincent Butler
Too late! Those things with big ears? I am now willing to admit I was talking about elephants. It's true the elephants had routed and not yet gone amok (usually only a matter of time though). I've only just discovered you can kill them off when they do.Quote:
I'll get down off of my soapbox now
My understanding is even if only one of a group of elephants is surrounded the whole lot can amok.Quote:
A single...Ellie
Finally, i think they did a good job with the AI considering how old the game is (though I doubt if modern AI is much better), but I only rate it as maybe as clever as a crow.
RTW2 up to patch 14?
VB - I know you're interested in history. Have you seen the reports of a large tomb that's just been found in Macedonia from about the time covered by this game?
My final word (mainly because I have no elephants left). I had built another War Elephant in Antioch before the debacle at Ancyra so I sent it south against Egypt. A big battle outside Palmyra. This time I kept the ellies wide attacking one wing with support from 2 cats and 3 gens. It was doing well having trampled several units and I was arranging to flatten a routing unit with my generals when I spotted the red flag in the view. They still had 42 left but had gone amok. I used my new found ability to end them - only just in time as they were turning toward my generals. I couldn't see anything obvious to cause the amok so I came to the conclusion that a nearby Nubian phalanx had released some mice. Interestingly after the battle there were still 15 elephants left. How they survived a spike in the brain is beyond me, suffice to say I think they'll be worse than ever. (still not seen ellies that didn't go amok)
Broke my duck. Battle outside Antioch. Sent the 15 elephants after a chariot archer and they chased them out of the battle and finally routed them for a loss of 2. Those spikes must have had a beneficial effect.
Some aspects are good, others are abysmal. The switch to a 3-D map had a lot to do with that. In Shogun I/Med I, the AI was sharp and aggressive...many players coming back to Shogun/Med after the RTW honeymoon was over, were getting their a$$es kicked because they had grown accustomed to the passive and erratic RTW AI. Pathfinding on the campaign map is atrocious...just play a bit with FOW off. Stacks mill about with no real purpose...generals pop out of a city or town, meander out to their favorite pi$$ing post, then reenter the next turn. Stacks will bypass an obvious enemy (brigands or an opposing factions) to seek an enemy many turns away from where they are. Most factions build far too much navy at the expense of ground troops...particularly bad when said faction is losing one settlement after another from a lack of ground troops. The list goes on and on....like I said, just watch how the AI performs by removing FOW.Quote:
i think they did a good job with the AI considering how old the game is
Elephants are awesome against chariots, good for fighting Egypt and taking care of both types of chariot units. Egypt does have lots of archers, of course, so if you are paranoid about flaming arrows...Actually that would be a good time to see how they react, to satisfy your own mind. If they do amok, just spike them. I have seen it mentioned before, how after you kill your elephants you can get them back.
Hilarious to watch. Does anybody know what a diplomat is attempting whenever they look like they are negotiating with you, but nothing comes up? Are they attempting a bribe?Quote:
generals pop out of a city or town
I have mentioned this in another thread, in BI I don't know how many hordes I have seen bypass multiple settlements and hit Campus Lazyges. Always Campus Lazyges. I don't know if it is hard-coded that way because it starts out rebel, or what, but my brother and I have both noticed it. Now it could be they are hard-coded to target the human player, and Campus Lazyges was many times the closest settlement. That said, I have seen them skip Campus Gothi and hit Campus Lazyges. By the way, double Schiltrom by each hole in the walls/gate, just a little space between them, really good strategy for dealing with Hordes.Quote:
Stacks will bypass an obvious enemy (brigands or an opposing factions) to seek an enemy many turns away from where they are
I wondered why everything seemed to be going so slowly (apart from the long battles and the days off in-between). Then it clicked - I'm fighting four factions :) Scythia - strong enough up there to attack starting with Sarmatae. Pontus - still has a fair army but I was able to bribe the closest small one. Greeks - I was heading for Sardis, but they've just now besieged Ancyra with their last remaining army (all militia this time). I'll take them on next time I play. Egypt - just taken Palmyra (12k pop slave boosted Hatra, Salamis and Ancyra who can all now build) after 2 turn end battles against three armies. Plenty of cash. My days of fighting rebels are over at least until they get too expensive.
You seem to bribe rebels a lot. How can you afford it, it is cheaper to defeat them. I know most of them want at least 3,000 denari, and at this stage I know I can't afford it. If you bribe an army at those prices every couple of turns, that will put a real drain on your finances, from what you have described. Later on I will bribe rather than get an army together, but early on it is destroy.
http://tinypic.com/usermedia.php?uo=...c#.U-03S2PP-9s
http://tinypic.com/usermedia.php?uo=...c#.U-062mPP-9s
http://tinypic.com/usermedia.php?uo=...c#.U-03nmPP-9s
http://tinypic.com/usermedia.php?uo=...c#.U-03vWPP-9s
You might need a magnifying glass but there are no rebels on the map except for 2 in the north of Scythia. One is a general and my assassin has just died of old age. The other I'll take with the small army next to it (my diplomat is off screen to the left). Note 66k cash at start of turn. I have several cash cow large cities and most of what I need is already built - small cities are still at the peanuts building stage.
Ok, at that level you can afford to bribe. I assumed you were still down around 10,000 at the start of every turn. Nice thing is you really only need to invest in stables, not stable, barracks, and archery range. Destroying the rebel armies is a great way for your commanders to gain experience. I wouldn't say you are at the stage where you can afford an army simply for destroying rebels, but an occasional bribe now and then shouldn't hurt you too bad.
With all the money invested in watchtowers (I have never seen anyone build that many:dizzy2:) another entire Parthian army could be rampaging through the rest of Anatolia...:laugh4:Quote:
My days of fighting rebels are over at least until they get too expensive.
That's what I do with my junior commanders. Once the next level of horse archers become dominant within my army ranks, all the remaining vanilla HA's get retired to brigand patrol...:shrug:Quote:
Destroying the rebel armies is a great way for your commanders to gain experience.
Yep. Each turn it's buildings first, then units, then bribes depending on what I've got left and what I'm gonna need for future turns. I bribe in the order enemy, cities then rebels. For instance, I'll be hanging on to 25k to bribe Halicarnassus (I don't think it'll cost much more). The idea is to take Sardis (or bribe it if the enemy garrison leaves) - then H. And you're right - I'm making just under 15k per turn - something as Armenia you'd kill for :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Vincent Butler
I don't even do that - all the cities I've taken have one. In fact I delete most military buildings I don't need. It's also the reason I'd choose to attack Parthia first as Armenia. I don't want to take Sinope until the AI has built it's military and the population is large enough for a good enslave boost for the usually slow growing early Parthian cities. When I took Sinope in this game I could build cataphracts for instance, and I had a general in the line of four cities from Kotais across to pop boost.Quote:
Originally Posted by Vincent Butler
I can build 14 watchtowers for the cost of one armoured elephant say, and there is no running cost. I don't mess around I just build where I am. They're so cheap.Quote:
Originally Posted by Vincent Butler
I would but I pretty soon get fed up with that - and I can beat the AI generals anyway.Quote:
Originally Posted by Vincent Butler
I keep some cos they're cheap and they're still firing when Persian cavalry have stopped.Quote:
Originally Posted by Vincent Butler
You two have got me thinking. Ta.
I'm gonna try a change of strategy. Pontus has two cities left (Sardis and Nicomedia) and both have populations of approximately 500. I think I'll build another diplomat and try to bribe both at once and take Pontus out of the game. I'll leave Halicarnassus until there is no wonder bonus left from Sardis. The jewel in the crown though is Pergamum. It's flagged as a huge city and since I have 4 generals in Turkey the two Pontic ciites plus Ancyra will get a nice boost. I'm thinking I'll boost Hatra and Susa as well. Susa is over 20k pop but slow growing and I want it to get to 24k ASAP.
Maybe at the stage Vincent is at, right now, but Armenia can do something Parthia cannot....build dockyards. By the time he's headed for Memphis, he'll have more money coming in each turn than he can spend.Quote:
something as Armenia you'd kill for
Not the best choice as Armenia, IMHO, but certainly one that many players have chosen....Quote:
It's also the reason I'd choose to attack Parthia first as Armenia.
The flip side is that another army could've netted two or three more port cities and, with the added income, you could afford to build an Armored Ellie every turn~;)Quote:
I can build 14 watchtowers for the cost of one armoured elephant say, and there is no running cost
It's still a nice addition to the ranks when every general that comes to the front lines is at 4 or 5 stars already...:shrug:Quote:
I would but I pretty soon get fed up with that - and I can beat the AI generals anyway.
There's no question vanilla HA's retain value throughout, but it's kinda fun to have your original starting HA's look like this:Quote:
I keep some cos they're cheap and they're still firing when Persian cavalry have stopped.
http://i990.photobucket.com/albums/a...man/BSS_10.jpg
Now you tell me!Quote:
Originally Posted by ReluctantSamurai
True - but at the running cost of that other army. I think it's very valuable to see what's happening. I should say I'm about to build more in Palmyra :)Quote:
Originally Posted by ReluctantSamurai
Aye, I didn't think you'd completely dispense with them. Half-size units? And that general looks particularly bad-tempered 'why have I got the HAs?'Quote:
Originally Posted by ReluctantSamurai
Mis-spoken on my part...checked the files, and Parthia does get dockyards. Without doing the math, I would guess that Pergamum, Nicomedia, and Sardis would pay the army wages and still have money left over. But it's fun to see how other players deal with the game. Me, I'm with Vincent...kill brigands mostly...bribe where I can use the units I bribe. I'm sure Arame of Rhizus would rather be back home in Armenia enoying the company of his wife and children and tending to his spice trade, but....duty calls:whip: Nonetheless, no sense wasting veteran, highly skilled HA's so I keep them for brigand patrol...
You have a strong argument - with two armies I think I'd have been in Pergamum by this time. The counter-argument is not just about money for me - it's about style. My basic army at the moment would be 4 HAs, 3 PCs, 2 Cat and 2 EI (ignoring generals). Typically, they'd be lined up HAs in front with PCs behind (using PC longer range to concentrate fire), Cats further back out of any enemy range and ready to move where needed and EIs on the wings to slow fast attacks.
The cost to build and maintain that army would be 2500 then 590 per turn (add 2520 and 490 for a War Elephant). I could do it, but my style doesn't suit. Running another army means twice as much work, even if over a shorter period. But the main problem for me is loss of population during build and repair (however little it may seem) and the location for repair, since I may not have stables nearby. It so happens there is a city in Turkey where it wouldn't bother me - that constant pain Sinope. Elsewhere though I'd be irritated at a city's promotion being delayed by unit build and repairs.
Again, without doing the math, Pergamum is much like Athens....a very big trade node. I've had games where Pergamum is actually making more than Athens, and that's not even considering Nicomedia and Sardis. Both Sardis and Pergamum would likely be very developed, and would be money-makers straight away. Repairs and unit builds shouldn't require more than several turns, no? Don't neglect dropping a diplomat into Greece (you can build a single bireme, park it in the Straits of Bosphorus, walk your diplomat across, and then disband the fleet). Having a trade agreement with neutrals will double your sea trade (even if you are already trading without an agreement), which more than compensates for the cost of the bireme.Quote:
The cost to build and maintain that army would be 2500 then 590 per turn (add 2520 and 490 for a War Elephant).
I've had trade rights with all the neutrals since I sent a wandering diplomat out early in the game. I've just checked and they're still in place. In this game Sardis doesn't even have a port. Pontus has been using the basic barracks there to churn out Eastern infantry.
If that is all Pontus has left you won't be able to bribe one of them, capitals, Faction Heirs, and Faction Leaders cannot be bribed. At least, I am pretty sure about capitals. Most likely their faction leader and/or heir will be in one, possibly one in each, if that is the case you cannot bribe them.Quote:
Pontus has two cities left (Sardis and Nicomedia) and both have populations of approximately 500. I think I'll build another diplomat and try to bribe both at once and take Pontus out of the game
I usually just build watchtowers at places when I am expecting an attack, usually a backstab, or at places like mountain passes. Sometimes I will build them elsewhere, but usually just to keep an eye on my border.Quote:
With all the money invested in watchtowers
True on all accounts. In addition, faction leaders/heirs are virtually impossible to assassinate.Quote:
Faction Heirs, and Faction Leaders cannot be bribed. At least, I am pretty sure about capitals.
I build forts in mountain passes as they must be assaulted like towns, giving you time to send a relief force. I like putting onagers and archers inside because they can both shoot over the walls in the case of assault. I also put in a spy so I can get a pretty good idea of enemy troop composition.Quote:
I usually just build watchtowers at places when I am expecting an attack, usually a backstab, or at places like mountain passes.