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Reloading the game, I was pleasantly surprised to find that there is a loyalist uprising that I missed out just now. It was "hiding" behind some French troops. I'll lose this battle for sure!
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...medloyal1a.jpg
Vladimir, care to enlight me where to find the best unit?
Time to really test out those heavy cavalry! :charge:
Yeah, loyalist have to fight, although I know they will lose. To correct my earlier error, I stated that Cuman Warriors have a defence and attack of 4 at valour 0, actually that is for valour 1. For valour 0, the values should be both 3.
I am a good guy. I cannot let my loyalist die without support from anywhere.:beam: So instead of moving back my victorious troops from Denmark to Scania, I moved them from Denmark to Saxony to join the loyalist. Troops from surrounding provinces also move in to Saxony and troops from other province moved in to protect those provinces surrounding Saxony. I may have a chance to kill or even better capture the German King and earn a huge ransom! The loyalist general from Denmark has been promoted to 2 stars. He has also gain Good attacker +1 star advantage.
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...tal/mede1q.jpg
OMG! It is a bridge battle, and the Germans has lots of siege.
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...tal/mede1p.jpg
I position my Cuman Warrior at the front, using a lone Cuman warrior unit to go across the long bridge to shoot at the enemy and lure them to attack. When they attack, my Cuman warriors can fight them and melee well! I don't have the screenshot now but the German King and his troops charged across the bridge and was captured by my Cuman Warriors!
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...tal/mede1o.jpg
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...tal/mede1n.jpg
Once the enemies are in range of my other Cuman Warrior, they fire at them.
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...tal/mede1m.jpg
Many of their troops routed, leaving behind a lone unit of depleted Militia Sergeant to guard the bridge. Sensing the opportunity, I charged one unit of Cuman Heavy cavalry at them. This is a golden opportunity to destroy all their siege!
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...tal/mede1l.jpg
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...tal/mede1k.jpg
After destroying all their siege, I started the lure and bait game again!
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...tal/mede1j.jpg
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I managed to kill a lot of their soldier in this manner! When their troops across the river are mainly archers and mounted crowbowmen, I charged my cavalry into them!
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...tal/mede1h.jpg
After a very long battle and many of their men killed or captured, the Germans can take it no longer and they routed and flee! I shouted for joy because my troops are also depleted and if they had held on a little bit longer, they would have won.
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...tal/mede1g.jpg
I charged my Cuman Heavy Cavalry at the rear of the enemies who were running away!
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...tal/mede1f.jpg
My general, who did not fight at all, walking across the bloody bridge which is filled by corpses of soldiers who has fallen!
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...tal/mede1e.jpg
Victory!
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...tal/mede1d.jpg
The French King took the opprotunity to invade Scania! I retreated to my castle!
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...tal/mede1c.jpg
I am rich!!!!!
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...tal/mede1b.jpg
The situation now. The German King was ransomed from my troops and he is in Switzerland which is still under siege and belongs to the French.
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...tal/mede1a.jpg
Digital - way to go!! You must have had finger cramps at the end of that one!!
Excellent battle - good tactical decisions and an excellent result for a bold strategic move. I am increasingly drawn to try these cumans next time.
Thanks! Cuman Warriors are good. Thier Bashkorts spearman who can hold formation and can throw javelin is deadly, especially to Heavy Cavalry. Most of all, you can build +2 valour Cuman Heavy Cavalry in Levidia.
From what I know about playing the Cumans, it is them who are the ultimate weapon of your choice. They have the same stats as chivalric knights but are almost ridiculously cheap and have rather low building requirements, plus you get them in Early - they're the real 'hammer of the East' (no offence intended, King Kurt ~:) )!Quote:
Originally Posted by Digital
Good write-up and interesting campaign - I'm still expecting a Byzantine attack whenever I see your map but it looks like you're having a lot of fun! Be sure to heavily garrison Levidia before the Horde shows up - there's a bridge when entering the province from the East, and that's the exactly where you'll want to stop those Mongols.
Loyalist uprising in Friesland! Part of my army from Franconia move into Friesland to support the loyalist! Part of it from Franconia almost all from Bransdeburg goes to Saxony to lift the siege. I also invaded Flanders, a French economic powerhouse which produces 2000+ florins for the French every year. Tuscany was invaded and is now under siege.
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...tal/medi1n.jpg
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Saxony.
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...tal/medi1l.jpg
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...tal/medi1k.jpg
Friesland.
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...tal/medi1j.jpg
The French general in Friesland decides to retreat before any fighting. He must be afraid of the column of Bashkorts marching against his army! I immediately charge all my cavalry into their back to force them to fight. My cavalry units managed to capture some of the retreating soldiers and actually surrounded a unit to force it to fight!
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...tal/medi1i.jpg
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The Germans invaded Burgundy from Switzerland with a small force. Bolster by my recent victories, I decided to fight them with only 2 units of Cuman Warriors! I can place them on a hill and concentrate shooting at the Feudal Knight, Mounted Sergeants and Teutonic Sergeants, then deal with the spears and mounted crossbowmen later. Besides, if I lose, I can order a retreat.
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...tal/medi1f.jpg
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Luckily, one man escaped into the castle for them to lay siege. I think they will assault the castle!
Loyalist uprising in Denmark! My spies are doing their job well!!!
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...tal/medi1b.jpg
A small scale French civil war starts inevitably!
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...tal/medi1a.jpg
Cuman Heavy Cavalry really turned the tide for the Cumans! BTW, the Byzantine are getting itchy. They are at war with the Turkish. Both of them tried to ally with me but I rejected them both. If one of them attack me, I will ally with the other one and together we will make mincemeat of the invaders!:2thumbsup: My Fortress is about to be ready in Lesser Khazar.Quote:
Originally Posted by Deus ret.
Those are some beautiful armies, especially the loyalists in Denmark. It was a bit risky fighting all that cavalry with just two infantry units, they could have easily captured your lands without a seige. I need my computer back so I can finish my campaign. I wonder what it will be like for you when the Mongols come.
Very impressive, Digital! I confess I'm really enjoying watching you slug it out back & forth with the French and now the Germans. That's some great battles there! :2thumbsup:
Thanks, Martok. I'm glad you enjoyed it. My Khan has died of old age. His heir has some decent stats and virtues.
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...tal/midi1g.jpg
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My troops from Saxony join the loyalist in Denmark. The French gave up the province without a fight. I also lifted the siege in Burgundy, the one with a lone Cuman Warrior who escaped. Now I invade Switzerland from Tyrolia to finish the German Emperor! I also invaded Scania from Denmark to lift the siege. The French also tried unsucessfully to lift my siege of Friesland.
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...tal/midi1e.jpg
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...tal/midi1d.jpg
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I destroyed the Germans!
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...tal/midi1b.jpg
The situation now. If the Byzantine do not invade me now. My troops will sweep across Central Europe to gain Influence for my new Khan!
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...tal/midi1a.jpg
After Scania fell to my troops, the French King unexpectedly invade Denmark yet again!
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...tal/medk1o.jpg
The French siege troops were killed before they can do significant damage to my walls, so they have to storm my gate. My general gleefully watching the French get fried.
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...tal/medk1n.jpg
Holding formation and at narrow gate.
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...tal/medk1l.jpg
The French King charge was too strong for my troops to hold, and he forces himself into my castle, pushing my troops back!
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...tal/medk1m.jpg
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...tal/medk1k.jpg
Denmark fell to the French King, however the port was destroyed. The French King was trapped!
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...tal/medk1j.jpg
I sent a 3 stars spies to incite a loyalist rebellion!
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...tal/medk1i.jpg
After waiting for a few turns for the loyalist rebellion and the rest of his empire to rebel, which never happened, I invaded Denmark!
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...tal/medk1g.jpg
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...tal/medk1f.jpg
Notice his valour 7 prince!
The showdown.
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...tal/medk1e.jpg
After an archer duel, I advanced my Bashkorts and pelted his infantry and horses with javelin, then we fought hand-to-hand. My Cuman Heavy Cabalry surrounded the French King and killed him!
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...tal/medk1d.jpg
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The new King of France attacked Saxony where my Khan was also in. I think he wanted to avenge his father, who was killed by my troops. Where his father fought to the death in spite of being surrounded by my troops, the new French King allowed himself to be captured! I managed to ransom another King. I think I must be the richest empire in Europe now!
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...l/medcap1a.jpg
Wow you're already sieging Île de France! Now that's a quick steamroll of the once-mighty French. Not much you'll have to fear from them anymore...
Keep up the interesting writing! I'm really looking forward to the next episodes...
My new prince! My effort at producing great princes with good command stars by keeping my influence as high as possible and involving my Khan in every possible battles to increase his command stars paid off! Now my Khan has 8 crowns and three more princes are about to reach 15 years of age! I will be able to up his influence to 9 crowns by invading the once powerful French so that they get more command stars!
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...tal/mtwgen.jpg
BTW, I was laying siege to Denmark and the French tried to lift the seige through a sea invasion. I won, but the castle willl not fall unless I assault it directly. I have a level 3 spies in Denmark. While waiting for siege to arrive, I noticed that the chance that the spies can open the doors of the castle has risen considerably, from 33% to 66% while waiting. I am going to wait one more turn to find out how much will it increase to. Next I will invade Anjou to force the French King to flee to Toulouse which borders my ally, the Almohad, who are still at war with the French. I hope they will make each other bleed!:beam:
I drove the French from Anjou to Toulouse. Now the French King resides in Toulouse, the province with most of his soldiers. He also owns Corsica and Sardinia, with a garrison of one unit each. I hope the Almohad will invade Toulouse and they will make each other bleed.
In the meantime, I have found out something. The castle in Denmark is under siege. I found out that the longer a spy stays in a province that is under siege, the chance of him opening the door of the castle increases. I found this out because I am sending siege from other provinces and as I do not have a sea route, it will take a few turns. For a 3 star spy and for my case, I have 33%, 66% and 83% for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd year. I am going to open the door of the castle, without the need of a siege which causes lots of casualties.
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...l/medinfil.jpg
Impressive progress so far Digital, it seems that you will be able to take on the Byzantines and the Horde at the samte time. You will probably achieve victory before the late period.
Thanks Kavhan Isbul. Before I can deal a crushing blow to the French, a French civil war broke out!
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...l/mtwreb1c.jpg
Despite my careful nature of having 1 spy in every friendly province and trying to keep the loyalty above 120%, the loyalty of Carpathia drops to 69% although taxes is very low,together with a border fort and a garrison of about 300 men.As expected, the next turn, there was a re-emergence!:furious3:
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...l/mtwreb1b.jpg
I had to cancel my building of the silver mines, costing 1400 florins. Thats 700 florins down the drain. After that, I destroy the border fort, and raise tax to very high! This is so that there may be a peasant rebellion, which will "help" me fight the Hungarians while my troops retreats to my castle for a siege.:beam:
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...l/mtwreb1a.jpg
Fortunately for you the re-emergence didn't happen four years later, in this case you'd have had to deal with a nice set of chivalric troops and others becoming available in High. As things are, there shouldn't be arise much of a problem fighting them off.
You might have a chance if you hunker down and invade them from the north in two years. I’m not sure what troops you have nearby but invading from the east would be suicide with that mountain pass in the way. Let’s see if that rebellion works as you planned. Remarkable progress. Did you say you're playing on expert?
Yes, Deus Ret. A re-emergence has been brewing for a long time. I notice that if a re-emergence is about to take place, the loyalties of the population in the said province goes down by a lot, even if you lower the tax rate to very low. I expect some more to happen, it is the part and parcel of the game.
Thanks for your suggestion, Vladimir. A 5 star general of royal blood and his two full stack of troops in Lesser Poland is already waiting to teach the Hungarians a lesson. I waited because my Citadel is one turn from finishing and the Byzantine also has a 4 stack army which border these two provinces when the re-emergence happened. Sadly, no peasant rebellion happened in Carparthia and I have to retreat to my castle. And yes, I am playing it on expert, the only level of difficulty that offers challenges to me.
The situation now. After the civil war in Toulouse, the French forces are weaken for an invasion by me. I really have to invade it now or else my ally, the Almohad will invade it and take it as their own. This is likely to be a joined invasion so I brought more troops than what I actually needed as I wanted to be in control of Toulouse after the war.
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...al/medal1o.jpg
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I let the Almohad engage the enemy first while my Cuman Warrior "supported" them with arrows!
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...al/medal1h.jpg
The Almohad Khalifah flees!
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...al/medal1g.jpg
And is captured!
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...al/medal1f.jpg
My Khan charging into what is left of the French infantry!
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...al/medal1e.jpg
Victory!
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...al/medal1d.jpg
On the other hand, the Hungarian attack my castle!
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...al/medal1n.jpg
My arrows and siege towers doing terrible damage to the Hungarians!
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...al/medal1m.jpg
When they finally broke down my two gates, my Bashkorts pelted them with javelins while holding formation at the narrow gate. I even ventured out into the space between the first gate and the second gate to pelt them with javelins, while on skirmish mode. When they chased, I reverted to holding formation mode once I retreated to the narrow gates again. All the while, my two units of Cuman Warriors who are perched up on the hill near the central tower, are firing at them. Occasionally, my Bashkort unit guarding the gate is push back and I have to charge 2 units of Cuman Warrior from the left side and the right side. A lot of enemies are killed in this way!
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...al/medal1l.jpg
Victory!
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...al/medal1k.jpg
Oh yes, the French King is gone!
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...al/medal1c.jpg
My 2 star general promoted to 4 stars. Thats because he has also gained the +1 star Good Assault Defender virtue. I planned to put this general in Lesser Khazar when the Mongol Horde arrive in 1230.
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...al/medal1b.jpg
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...al/medal1a.jpg
Great job on the assault defense. Hopefully you can save that general and maybe grant him a title or two. It's good to see that you're using the sandwich defense. It seems that far too often you place a single unit at the gate when a flanking defense would result in more kills. It's great to see Mongol Heavy Cav melt as your Vagarian swordsmen charge into their rear while they engage spearmen.
I decides to hide in my castle for one last turn. The Hungarian attacked my castles again.
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...ital/mas1f.jpg
Using the same tactic, I slaughtered many Hungarian, leaving them with an army comprising mostly of mounted crossbowmen. They are trying to shoot at my general so he and his troops have to hide behind the central towers. If they moved past the second gate, my troops will rush down to hack them to pieces. I won the siege battle again!
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...ital/mas1e.jpg
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...ital/mas1b.jpg
Finally, the Byzantine could not control their itch anymore. They invaded two of the provinces. I retreated to my castle. Time to form an alliance with the Turkish! The war with the Byzantine also causes the Kievans to cancel their alliance with me.
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...ital/mas1d.jpg
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...ital/mas1c.jpg
The situation now!
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...ital/mas1a.jpg
I think my troops from Moldavia will move in to Carpathia to save my 5 star general and relieve the siege. Since the Byzantine are laying a siege of my castle and Hungary has no good general. My 5 star general and his two stack of troops is going to invade Hungary from Lesser Poland to teach the Byzantine a lesson!
Get 'em! Teach those treacherous Byz a lesson! Congrats to the renewed siege victory btw. Seems like this strategy is worth copying.
Watch you back, though, it might become nasty if the Kievans choose to attack, too.
Hah, those fools! All those forces you have poised to strike back and yet they invade. Poor intel on their part. I really hope you save that general and his 5 valor warriors.
Very cool, Digital. Genduk Vilig is developing quite the reputation for being a tough nut to crack! ~:cheers:
My next move. I invaded Carpathia from Moldavia to relieve the siege and invaded the Byzantine in Hungary from Lesser Poland with my 5 star general and his two stack of troops.
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...igital/q1j.jpg
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https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...igital/q1d.jpg
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...igital/q1c.jpg
At the same time, My 2 allies are involved with hostilities with the Spanish being the weaker one and the Almohads which borders me. I cancel my alliance with the Almohads.
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...igital/q1b.jpg
The situation now. The defeated troops from Hungary retreated to Austria which is still under siege. With many troops in Austria, I think they are going to assault the castle!
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...igital/q1a.jpg
Excellent! Now you’re in the high era. Hopefully you’ll be able to trap the Byzantine army in Austria and acquire even more ransom money!
I invaded Croatia from Venice to block the path of retreat for the Byzantine. Troops from Tuscany move to Venice. I also invaded Austria from Tyrolia.
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...igital/c1g.jpg
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...igital/c1f.jpg
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...igital/c1e.jpg
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...igital/c1d.jpg
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Sadly, the Byzantine King does not want his troops.
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...igital/c1b.jpg
The situation now. I am in the process of allying with the Turkish and the Volgar-Bulgarians.
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...igital/c1a.jpg