Early XL Cuman Expert Campaign

I just started the XL Mod Cuman Early Expert campaign. I notice that the Cuman has no armour piercing troops, besides Woodmen. It also does not have swordmen. I hope it is for the early part of the game and as I teched up, I'll get to build them eventually. Their strength lies in the Cuman heavy cavalry, Spearman which can throw javalins and Cuman warrior archers. You get a bonus for Cuman heavy cavalry if you build them in Levida. Someone please prove me wrong in that the Cuman can build swordman and good axe wielding armour piercing troops. Below is a map of my campaign. The Polish is destroyed by me. I am presently at war with the Danes and the Bohemians.

https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...gital/mtw1.jpg

I can prove you wrong easily - just conquer Kiev (or Novgorod, but Kiev is closer) and build a swordsmith's workshop. It requires a castle, but it is going to supply you with a pretty nice swords unit - Variangian Swordsmen, until 1204. Alternatively, you can try to conquer the Scandinavian provinces - Denmark, Scania, Sweden and Norway for the viking huscarles, landsmen and jarls. Finally, the Cuman Warriors are a hybrid between archers and swordsmen.
Generally when playing with the Cumans I first go for Carpathia and Hungary, as I later need the blacksmiths to give any bonus possible to my spearmen and bashkorts, then straight for Kiev because of the nice swordsmen there.

Thanks man! Any other province I can conquer in order to build armour piercing and swordman? You mean I can build the normal viking unit or just the huscarles, landsmen and jarls if I conquer Scandinavian provinces?

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Originally Posted by Digital

Thanks man! Any other province I can conquer in order to build armour piercing and swordman? You mean I can build the normal viking unit or just the huscarles, landsmen and jarls if I conquer Scandinavian provinces?

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You would not be able to build the Viking unit, just the units that came in with Viking Invasion. For Variangian Swordsmen you need Kiev and Novgorod, and both will require a castle for the swrdsmith's workshop, so Kiev is your best option. Once the High period begins, you cannot build swordsmen any longer, which will make you rely heavily on your Cuman Warriors. Or you will simply need to master the use of horse archers and predominantly cavalry armies, which can be extremely fun.

Hmmm, no more swordmen once I reached High period? What about huscarles, landsmen and jarls? I don't think I can get them once I can reach high period ,right? I'll get Lithunia for +1 valour woodmen and Tuscany much later for +1 valour Urban Militia then for my armour piercing.

Don’t' forget to use your armored up step heavies. Their missiles are good against armor and they’re the best medium cav in the game.

Yeah, I am building a Master Horse Breeder in Poland for +1 valour Steppe Heavy cavalry. I already have a Master Horse Breeder in Levida for +2 valour Cuman Heavy Cavalry. They simply owned with the upgrade. I am mass producing +2 valour Cuman Heavy Cavalry in Levida every single turn so I need somewhere else to produce my +1 valour Steppe Heavy Cavalry.:bounce:

Presently, the French sent a crusade to Tripoli through my lands and I let them pass. Although my religion is Pagan, some specialised troops of my Cuman campaign joined the crusade. I don't think those troops belonged to me, right? Unless my religion is Catholic, some of the troops under me will go over to the Crusade side depending of the Zeal of the province. Another thing, the command stars that an heir receive is a function of the father's influence and command star, right?

https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...ital/mtw22.jpg

Good job on the expansion. Income doesn't seem to be as much of a problem as I anticipated. You should also have plenty of land to fend off the Mongols when they come. It seems like the Catholics are much nicer to you than they were to me. I'm sure those French are itching to cross the border. Is that a bridge crossing?

When a neighboring AI sends a crusade through your lands, it is a sure sign they will invade soon. They send a Crusade out in order to try to drain some of your troops. Hopefully once it reaches the Turks, the Crusade will fail miserably and with a few lost battles the French will fall apart in a Civil War.

I am sure the French are itching to attack me. They are the only thing that prevents me from annihilating the Bohemians in their last province. I have mostly allies in eastern Europe so I cannot take Kiev or Novgorod now for the moment. The English, who are neutral at this moment, is also starting to amass a sizeable force in Saxony. I am sure they are feeling the itch too! Hungary and my allies,the Byzantium, in the south are engaged in war. I have two less troubles out of my mind.

If the French do attack while their crusade is in your lands I recommend that you let it pass. If you destroy it as opposed to letting it die in its own you may get one called against you. That will seriously complicate things for a while. This campaign has got me really excited and I can’t wait to hear and see more!

As can be seen from the latest picture, my castle in Bohemia is 6 years from completion. Once it is completed, my entire force from Bohemia will invade Bavaria. I will just leave 60 men as garrison to Bohemia, likely to be Cuman warriors or Bashkorts. If the Hungarian decides to invade Bohemia when my force is in Bavaria, I will just retreat to the comfort of my newly built castle. For now, the peasants in the newly conquered Friesland has staged a rebellion. My Khan will deal with them!:duel:

Hehe, this is my first invasion with an ally. The Hungarians cannot match the Byzantium soldiers. It is left with Croatia which is under siege from Byzantium and Carparthia, where the Hungarian king is trapped. I decided to take Carparthia since it has iron deposits. I send a relatively big force to finish them off with my new 1 command star Khan. The Byzantium also send troops, led by an UBER 6 stars prince. Below is what happened:

https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...gital/mtw3.jpg

https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...gital/mtw4.jpg

https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...gital/mtw5.jpg

After the easy victory, my Khan became 2 star general.

Very cool, Digital. It's always nice when ally helps out (intentionally or not). :2thumbsup:

I personally hate it when allies "help", because it is a sure sign the AI wants the province for itself. I am not even sure if it sends troops only because it wanted to conquer the province and the allied attack is therefore more of a coincidence than a coordinated effort. I make sure in such battles that the AI gets as many casualties as possible, my missile troops actively helping. As soon as this unit of katanks engaged the enemy, I would have sent a unit or two of bashkorts to help with their missiles, shooting of course behind the katanks, making sure the friendly fire hits home.

Yeah, agree with your views. I allowed the Byzantium to engage first before "supporting" them with archers, urban militia and Cuman Heavy Cavalry. The Hungarian are perched up on top of the hills, with archers and Jobbagy ready to rain javelins down on anyone who dares to attack up the hill. Of course I left this job to the Byzantium. Now the Byzantium empire bordered me from the south, but they are my allies, and are unlikely to attack me. Besides, they are at war with the Turkish.

Hi Kavhan Isbul, You say that Varangian swordsmen are available in Kiev or Novgorod, i must admit i didnt know that, but are they worth it? All that teching up for one excellent unit. But have you ever used them? Cumans are best when fighting fast and mobile with losts of firepower, wouldnt varangs spend all their time running around trying to get involved. It can be difficult to get Baskorts involved, and they are quick!

Hi,

The castle in Bohemia has finished building. My whole force from Bohemia invaded the Bohemians in Bavaria, leaving 60 men of Bashkort as garrison. The French are the allies of the Bohemians. Incidentally, the English invaded Flanders where the French had only a small garrison of less than 100 men. This is good as I will have less chance to be invaded by them.

https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...ital/mtw5a.jpg

Oh no, it is a bridge assault.

https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...ital/mtw5b.jpg

Bloody mess from all that fighting.

https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...ital/mtw5c.jpg

I lost about 700 men, about a full stack from that bridge assault.
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...ital/mtw5d.jpg

My Khan has 4 princes about to reach 15 years of age, so I have to gain influence and command stars by invading other province. I may invade the Genose next. It will pave the way for me to take Tuscany where I can produce +1 Urban Militia. It has iron deposit and I can upgrade my urban militiamen there. I think this is the best armour piercing unit that I can produce for all periods.

Why are you still relying on Urban Militia? I recommend Cuman warriors over them any day. You should really use your missile advantage.

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Originally Posted by Bill Westwater

Hi Kavhan Isbul, You say that Varangian swordsmen are available in Kiev or Novgorod, i must admit i didnt know that, but are they worth it? All that teching up for one excellent unit. But have you ever used them? Cumans are best when fighting fast and mobile with losts of firepower, wouldnt varangs spend all their time running around trying to get involved. It can be difficult to get Baskorts involved, and they are quick!

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I like the Varangians very much - in terms of stats, they are better than Chivalric Men at Arms when it comes to melee, and therefore they rule in Early and can easily destroy any enemy's infantry. I use them primarily in defensive battles, as flankers, but they are useful for charging the enemy infantry line in attacks, after the HAs have done their part. In cases in which the enemy puts its spearmen in the woods (lots of woods in the Eastern part of the map), these guys are invaluable.

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Originally Posted by Vladimir

Why are you still relying on Urban Militia? I recommend Cuman warriors over them any day. You should really use your missile advantage.

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I do use them too. They have got good attack and defence, both 4, I think. When they finish shooting all their arrows, they are left with 2 bars, tired. Thats where Urban militia comes in, besides, they are armour piercing.

Haha, although the French are the richest, most advanced and has the most powerful army. It is at war with 5 faction and has no allies. I don't think it will attack me as it has too many enemies to deal with. It is also at war with the Genose, so I think I'll leave the Genose alone for now. The Volgar-bulgar are pretty strong in the east. They have forced my allies, the Kievian, into their last two provinces. If they lay siege to my allies, the Kievians, I will consider lifting the siege and declaring war on them myself.

https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...gital/mtw6.jpg

Here is an idea - how about leaving the Volga Bulgars to actually capture Kiev, and then take it away from them? The province will be of much more use to you than a weak ally.

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Originally Posted by Kavhan Isbul

Here is an idea - how about leaving the Volga Bulgars to actually capture Kiev, and then take it away from them? The province will be of much more use to you than a weak ally.

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I know I can build Varagian Swordman in Kiev, but I won't miss an opportunity to increase my Influence by relieving them of the siege. When my Influence reaches 9 crowns, they can conquer Kiev and THEN I can take it from them.:whip:

Now, I am actually wary of my ally, the Byzantium. It is no longer at war with the Turkish and has a cease fire agreement with them. Just now, the Volgar - Bulgar and the French sent their emiisaries to ally with me but I rejected them. Hehe. The Byzantium wanted Carpathia just now. I hope they don't break their alliance for now.:furious3:

The Genose has married their princess to my prince. I think they know that they are about to be attacked by the French and wants me to help them.

https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...ital/mtw7a.jpg

https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...ital/mtw7b.jpg

It might be a good idea to deal with the Byzantines and perhaps the French now, before the Horde arrives. I would also watch out for the Novgorodians.

As long as the Byzantium remains my ally, I won't invade them. I don't want to lose influence. They are also pretty strong with many good generals with 5, 6 or 7 stars. I am actually tempted to invade the French in Swabi, because a Crusade, which is failing miserably, started from a Chapter House from there. If I do this and suceed, I will cause a French civil war, but the French are too strong for anybody right now.

I just noticed how good you are doing politically; but I think you'll reach critical mass soon so watch out.

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Originally Posted by Vladimir

I just noticed how good you are doing politically; but I think you'll reach critical mass soon so watch out.

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At the start, diplomacy is of utmost importance to me. For an expert campaign, I only start with 4000 florins. Every florins counts. You don't want to make enemies with a strong faction at the start. Now, I stop my military expansion and wait for other factions to make the first move. Meanwhile, my first brothel is about to be completed. I will get spies and create some trouble in other factions provinces without a border fort. Meanwhile, my first ship is coming out in the sea connecting Levida, Lesser Khazar and Crimea. I need to guard against a possible invasion by the Turkish by sea. My first ship is coming out so late as I channelled all my florins into building farms and ground troops for military expansion.:beam:

The English had a cease-fire with the French. Besides attacking my allies, the Norwegian, it has also attacked me in Brandeburg through Saxony. It cause the Genose, the German and the Byzantium to annul their ally treaty with me because they happened to be allies of the English as well. Now I am vulnerable to an attack from the south by the Byzantium empire. I planned to hold a full scale invasion into Saxony from Franconia where there are two stack of English troops led by a 6 star general. After that, I will relieve the siege in Brandeburg which can still last 3 years as it has a small garrison. Hopefully, I don't get attacked by the French and the Byzantium in the south as this happens or I'll be severely stretched.:no:

https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...gital/mtw8.jpg

This campaign is great :beam:

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Originally Posted by UltraWar

This campaign is great :beam:

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Thanks. I'll continue this game some other day.

I invaded Saxony. To my surprise, the English retreated to Brandeburg which is still under siege.

https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...ital/mtw9a.jpg

Now they are trapped with nowhere to run. I moved all my troops except for 60 men of Cuman Warrior in Friesland to Franconia to defend it as my 2000 florins investment in the form of a castle is still building. I moved my force originally in Franconia into Brandeburg to lift the siege.

https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...ital/mtw9b.jpg

https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...ital/mtw9c.jpg

https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...ital/mtw9d.jpg

Sadly, the English King didn't want the prisoners. :wall: Saxony is about to fall to my troops too.

Yea, there you go! That's the type of army I like to see. You just need some step heavies and you're golden. A pitty about the prisoners, the Cumans usually need the cash.

I got 4 Steppe Heavy cavalry as reinforcement when I invaded Brandeburg. My spearmen and Cuman warrior engaged the enemy first while the Cuman Heavy Cavalry slowly moved into a flanking position. Then they charged home from all sides.

After Saxony fell to me. The English became neutral? Is it because they have no troops which can attack me directly. They have no ships because they lost the naval battle with my ally, the Norwegian. Surprise, they sent a princess to me!

https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...ital/mtw10.jpg

Now, I am allied to the English and my former ally, the Norwegian, became neutral. A good chance for me to invade my former ally and expand northwards.

https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...tal/mtw10a.jpg

I moved my force from Saxony into Denmark. I am allied to the Swedish, so they are unlikely to attack me. Saxony is likely to rebel under the small garrsion of 60 men and will provide opportunity for the troop in Saxony to gain valour and some dread related vices.

My castle with its associated upgrade is finished. I'll be able to upgrade it to a fortress before the Mongol arrive in Khazar. My annual income is a respectable 4000+ florins.

https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c.../mtwcastle.jpg

I am now at war with the French finally. A French crusade entered my land which was under a rebel siege. To lift that siege, I have to fight the French crusade as well.

Hehe, my heir married the Spanish princess. My faction has marriage ties with Sweden, Ireland, Serbia, Genose, English and Spanish. I think if the same faction offer their princess more than 1 time, especially after a long period of time, it is best to reject them to avoid Chinless Wonder, Odd number of toes kind of vices.

https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...gital/mtwb.jpg

Very nice, Digital. :thumbsup:

Just a word of advice, however: All things being equal, you should generally accept marriage proposals where another faction offers their princess to your son. Doing so does *not* increase your chance of getting negative traits. Besides which, such offers are generally all too rare as it is. ~;)

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Originally Posted by Martok

Very nice, Digital. :thumbsup:

Just a word of advice, however: All things being equal, you should generally accept marriage proposals where another faction offers their princess to your son. Doing so does *not* increase your chance of getting negative traits. Besides which, such offers are generally all too rare as it is. ~;)

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Generally, I accept all marriage proposal, especially to my Khan, and his heir. Lets say King A has 2 princess B and C, 30 years old and 1 years old. He offers his 30 year old princess B to my heir. Lets say after a few years my Khan died, and his heir ascended the throne. My heir has a son whose mother is princess B. Lets say he reach 15 years old and the new heir to the throne. King A again offer his princess C, who is now in her 19, maybe, to the 15 years old boy and new heir to the throne. Wouldn't he be marrying his aunt? I think this would result in a vice of Chinless Wonder, which may progress to Odd Number of Toes and so on.

The French are a tough nut to crack. I invaded them and their troops came in to lift the siege. They also invaded me in three other provinces, the most painful one is by sea in Denmark, where I only had 6 Viking Carls and 1 spearman. In that battle, they managed to kill my one star general and some of my troops routed. I managed to win all 4 battles. My Khan now has 9 Influence but is already 56 years old. BTW, the Norman Foot Knight of the French is extremely powerful, being able to slice through almost anything!

https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...tal/mtwmap.jpg

https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...al/mtwking.jpg

Although my southern campaign against the French has met with great success. It left my northern provinces open to an attack by sea by the French. My only ships are in the Black Sea, but the French has a strong fleet of ships spanning the northern sea. The French attacked Denmark and Friesland. My general from Denmark routed and retreated to the castle. Friesland, which is held by a small garrison, retreated to the castle. The French king himself led his army to storm my castle!

https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...al/medtw1e.jpg

Alas, he placed his siege weapon too close to my castle war, and my general was able to shoot down the soldiers operating it, forcing him to storm my gates!

https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...al/medtw1c.jpg

The French getting fried at my gate! French fries anyboby?:idea2:

https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...al/medtw1d.jpg

Although my warriors fought a brave battle, Friesland fell to the French King and his troops.

https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...al/medtw1b.jpg

My influence get reduced by 1 crown. I have a level 3 spy in Friesland in order to incite a loyalist uprising. I also sent a 2 star spy to Denmark which is still under siege. All my border province and sea provinces with a port does not have a border fort but is police by a spy. This is so that the spy can gain level when he catches an enemy spy or assasin entering my province. Freisland now has a loyalty of 43% although the tax rate is very low. A loyalist uprising is very likely.

https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...al/medtw1a.jpg

Well you’re putting my Cuman campaign to shame, although I focused on cheesing out the Mongols and focused on the East instead of the West. It’s a pity that you don’t have a northern navy. I think the French may be close to a civil war if you maintain your pace of victory. Cutting the king off from the rest of his country would really help. From an earlier screenshot I was going to recommend that you reduce your frontage in the South but you have very effectively cut South and West. Let’s hope for that loyalist revolt and not a reemergence.

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Originally Posted by Vladimir

Well you’re putting my Cuman campaign to shame, although I focused on cheesing out the Mongols and focused on the East instead of the West. It’s a pity that you don’t have a northern navy. I think the French may be close to a civil war if you maintain your pace of victory. Cutting the king off from the rest of his country would really help. From an earlier screenshot I was going to recommend that you reduce your frontage in the South but you have very effectively cut South and West. Let’s hope for that loyalist revolt and not a reemergence.

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Oh, my only three northern provinces that borders the sea with a port are recently conquered. Only Friesland has a shipbuilding facilities and the French King invaded it. My navy only consist of 4 ships at the moment and 2 has to stay at the Black Sea to guard against an attack by the Turkish by sea. Another 2 is moving towards Sardinia to blockade it in order to cause an uprising.

The next turn I invaded three French provinces, Venice from Austria, Lorraine from Swabi and Milan from Tyrolia, leaving a small garrison of at most 120 men in the original provinces.
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...ital/med1a.jpg


Not surprisingly, the French decided to storm my castle in Denmark.
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...ital/med1b.jpg


My spearman holding formation at the narrow gate.
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...ital/med1c.jpg


Despite fighting bravely, my troops in Denmark were anihilated, but not before causing heavy casualties for the French.
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...ital/med1d.jpg


The French decides to abandon Venice, Burgundy and Milan. So I have lost Denmark but gain 3 provinces. My Influence returned to a respectable 9 crown, compared to 3 crowns for the French King. A French civil war is imminent!
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...ital/med1e.jpg


My level 3 spies doing his work in Friesland.
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...ital/med1g.jpg


My level 2 spies doing his work in Denmark.
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...ital/med1f.jpg


The French king has moved over to Flanders. Now he is in a dilemma. If he does not want Denmark and Friesland, to have an uprising, he has to sent troops to this two provinces, leaving his southern provinces vulnerable to an invasion by me, but if he does not do so, the uprising in Denmark and Friesland could erupt into a civil war. Switzerland, a French province, already has a peasant uprising. He has no way of sending troops to Switzerland, since it is surrounded by me. My province, Tyrolia, has an uprising too, but can be easily quell by my troops.

Are the advance building of Chancellery, Constable Palace, Marshal Palace and Admiralty available to a Pagan faction. I already had a Royal Palace built my province with a Citadel but it seems that I cannot build any advance buildings in the same upgrade path as the Royal Palace. Sorry, this is my first time playing as a Pagan faction.:help:

I don’t think so. I built a fortress in Kazar for the Mongols to smash against and don’t think I was able to construct those advanced structures. The religious buildings are nice but I think you will “stagnate” in the late era.

It's not that bad though as having a large pagan population is great when defending against other religions. Nice revolt risk!

Way to beat on the French there! It looks like you're doing well. ~:cheers:

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Originally Posted by Digital

Generally, I accept all marriage proposal, especially to my Khan, and his heir. Lets say King A has 2 princess B and C, 30 years old and 1 years old. He offers his 30 year old princess B to my heir. Lets say after a few years my Khan died, and his heir ascended the throne. My heir has a son whose mother is princess B. Lets say he reach 15 years old and the new heir to the throne. King A again offer his princess C, who is now in her 19, maybe, to the 15 years old boy and new heir to the throne. Wouldn't he be marrying his aunt? I think this would result in a vice of Chinless Wonder, which may progress to Odd Number of Toes and so on.

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In your example, yes your new heir would be marrying his aunt. However, the game still does not penalize your prince with incest-related vices. (That only happens when a princess marries her own brother.) I agree that you *should* get negative traits for such behavior, but you don't. :shrug:

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Originally Posted by Vladimir

I don’t think so. I built a fortress in Kazar for the Mongols to smash against and don’t think I was able to construct those advanced structures. The religious buildings are nice but I think you will “stagnate” in the late era.

It's not that bad though as having a large pagan population is great when defending against other religions. Nice revolt risk!

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Oh, that means I can only build a Royal Palace and have no upgrades. I cannot build Chancellery and other building on the same upgrade path. This is a disadvantage when playing as a Pagan faction. Thanks.

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Originally Posted by Martok

Way to beat on the French there! It looks like you're doing well. ~:cheers:


In your example, yes your new heir would be marrying his aunt. However, the game still does not penalize your prince with incest-related vices. (That only happens when a princess marries her own brother.) I agree that you *should* get negative traits for such behavior, but you don't. :shrug:

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Hmmmmm...ok, that means I can safely accept all marriages from other faction.

Loyalists have appeared in Denmark!
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...al/medloy1.jpg

I moved all my force from Scania to join in the battle!
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...l/medloy1a.jpg

The loyalist general won!
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...l/medloy1b.jpg

However, the Germans re-emerge the next turn in both Saxony and Switzerland!:furious3:
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...l/medloy1c.jpg


I think now I have to give Denmark a miss and retreat to Scania. I have expanded too fast, leaving pockets of disloyal provinces at the back. If I did not adjust the tax rate of many provinces, the German could re-emerge in as much as 5 provinces! I will deal with the re-emergence first before dealing with the French.

That one in Saxony looks like a pain but if you manage a defensive battle in Switzerland it should be easy.

That's quite a nice loyalist revolt!

I'm interested in your sucessful battle in Denmark - especially as the French troops were 3 stars up on leadership and most, if not all were 2 or 3 up on valour. Looking at the final result screen, the French must have just sat there and let the Cuman infantry shoot them to death - and chance of a little detail? If you had autocalced the battle, I would have predicted a French victory, not a Cuman one with only 21 casualties!!

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Originally Posted by King Kurt

I'm interested in your sucessful battle in Denmark - especially as the French troops were 3 stars up on leadership and most, if not all were 2 or 3 up on valour. Looking at the final result screen, the French must have just sat there and let the Cuman infantry shoot them to death - and chance of a little detail? If you had autocalced the battle, I would have predicted a French victory, not a Cuman one with only 21 casualties!!

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Oh, as expected, the French infantrymen hid in the forest with their cavalry hiding behind them. What I did is that my Cuman warrior and archer are right in front, followed by the lone spearmen unit, and the Viking armour piercing units behind them. My Cuman Heavy Cavalry is behind all of them. I arranged this formation such that their shooting range is somewhere in front of the forest the French are hiding. Then I send a lone archer unit, on skirmish mode, to shoot at them in the forest to lure them out of the forest. When they came out and attack my archer, my archer which is on skirmish mode, will move backwards, bring them in the range of my Cuman Warriors who are just too happy to shoot at them. Some of them routed, but some managed to come within melee range of my armour peircing and my Cuman warrior and attacked them. After suffering heavy casualties, the French general and his troops decides to retreat.

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Originally Posted by Digital

Oh, as expected, the French infantrymen hid in the forest with their cavalry hiding behind them. What I did is that my Cuman warrior and archer are right in front, followed by the lone spearmen unit, and the Viking armour piercing units behind them. My Cuman Heavy Cavalry is behind all of them. I arranged this formation such that their shooting range is somewhere in front of the forest the French are hiding. Then I send a lone archer unit, on skirmish mode, to shoot at them in the forest to lure them out of the forest. When they came out and attack my archer, my archer which is on skirmish mode, will move backwards, bring them in the range of my Cuman Warriors who are just too happy to shoot at them. Some of them routed, but some managed to come within melee range of my armour peircing and my Cuman warrior and attacked them. After suffering heavy casualties, the French general and his troops decides to retreat.

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Very nice - slightly surprizing that the french cav were hidden as well - mind you 300 archers helps!! - especially as I assume the Cuman infantry can melee quite well. I'm quite tempted to give them a go once the teutons rule the world.:2thumbsup:

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Originally Posted by King Kurt

Very nice - slightly surprizing that the french cav were hidden as well - mind you 300 archers helps!! - especially as I assume the Cuman infantry can melee quite well. I'm quite tempted to give them a go once the teutons rule the world.:2thumbsup:

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Cuman warrior are archers as well as swordmen. I think they have attack and defence of 4 at valour 0. Unlike Nizaris, the Muslim archer and swordman, they have good attack AND defence. It is better for me because I only need a Citadel to build a Master Bowyer, and get +1 valour archer and swordmen, whereas for other faction, you have to get a 8000 Florins Fortress before you can build a Master Swordsmith to get +1 valour swordmen. They are the only normal swordmen that the Cuman can build and they cost 300 florins. Of course, the Cuman can also build other non-faction specific swordmen but they will need to conquer certain provinces in order to do so.

And one of the best units in early can be found in two places right next door. :yes:

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
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...tal/mede1i.jpg


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.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Digital

Most of all, you can build +2 valour Cuman Heavy Cavalry in Levidia.

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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 ~:) )!

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
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...tal/medi1m.jpg


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
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...tal/medi1h.jpg
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...tal/medi1g.jpg


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
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...tal/medi1e.jpg
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...tal/medi1d.jpg
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...tal/medi1c.jpg
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

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Deus ret.

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 ~:) )!

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.

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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.

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
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...tal/midi1f.jpg


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
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...tal/midi1c.jpg


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
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...tal/medk1c.jpg
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...tal/medk1b.jpg
https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c...tal/medk1a.jpg

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.