1.x AI Faction Progression Thread

[gamegeek2]

1.1 seems to have done these things so far -

Nerfed the Sweboz
Severely nerfed Baktria
Slightly nerfed the Ptolemaioi
Stopped Makedonia northern expansion
Sauromatae & Saka expand rapidly early on
Pahlava carves out a consistent "Caspian Empire" and much better than before
Improved Lusotana & Getai expansion, fewer to no factions failing to expand - even Casse gets something.
Improved Romani so they don't get stuck in Italia anymore, instead they rush to Massalia and southwestern Gaul.
Improved Aedui, who always take a 2-1 province lead over the Arverni, with rare exceptions (like AS vs. Ptolemy)
Pontos often is able to carve out a nice empire

Things that need improvement

Hayasadan still always takes to the steppes
Saka/Sauromatae stall after rapid early expansion
Baktria is now very weak compared to before.
Arverni are utterly destroyed by Aedui, the fight used to go on for ages
Casse & Saba still weak, though I suppose this is historical
Carthage never really does anything until 220 BCE

[penguinking]

1.1 seems to have done these things so far -

Nerfed the Sweboz
Severely nerfed Baktria
Slightly nerfed the Ptolemaioi
Stopped Makedonia northern expansion
Sauromatae & Saka expand rapidly early on
Pahlava carves out a consistent "Caspian Empire" and much better than before
Improved Lusotana & Getai expansion, fewer to no factions failing to expand - even Casse gets something.
Improved Romani so they don't get stuck in Italia anymore, instead they rush to Massalia and southwestern Gaul.
Improved Aedui, who always take a 2-1 province lead over the Arverni, with rare exceptions (like AS vs. Ptolemy)
Pontos often is able to carve out a nice empire

Things that need improvement

Hayasadan still always takes to the steppes
Saka/Sauromatae stall after rapid early expansion
Baktria is now very weak compared to before.
Arverni are utterly destroyed by Aedui, the fight used to go on for ages
Casse & Saba still weak, though I suppose this is historical
Carthage never really does anything until 220 BCE

I agree with you on almost all of this, but the Sweboz hardly seem nerfed to me. They nearly always unify Germania before invading Gaul. And also, they're have been plenty of examples of the Makedonian rush north. In my campaign they reached the Baltic Sea. There is very little stopping them once they defeat Epeiros/KH. I think Baktria is much better. Instead of expanding west rapidly, they slowly take surrounding provinces and often go for India.

[Centurio Nixalsverdrus]

I think the overall faction progression is really good now in 1.1. Especially the KH has been fixed. No more Koinon Greece finally! Either Makedonia or Epeiros now come out on top 50/50.

The only thing that could need further nerfing is the Ptolemaioi / Seleukides balance and the Armenian urge for the steppe.

[The Persian Cataphract]

Actually, Bactria doesn't need to get any stronger; currently the problem with the Graeco-Bactrian faction is that it expands into the wrong way. It's not uncommon that they reach Persis proper, and this is not a huge offense but India should be the focus of the matter. The Seleucid-Ptolemaïc struggle should end with a strong Seleucid Syria, and with a weakened Egyptian heart-land; Pontos aptly dominating central Anatolia, and Hayasdan being the major power in the Caucasus and northern Mesopotamia. Saba needs some control, historically within the EB frame of time, they never reached as far as Gerrha or Oman... Or in the few crazy cases Charax.

But then again, these are all idealized situations rigorously following historical course of outcome.

[LordCurlyton]

Continuation of my Pahlava campaign. 212 BC.
Well my prediction about who would win in the AS/Ptolie dispute turned out to be worng, mainly because the AS began launching significant assaults against me once more, forcing me to retaliate. So I razed Antiochea, Mazaka, and Amaseia and killed several FM-armies. The Ptolies took advantage and have begun to push up the coast, though the un-razed AS cities are resisting better now that the supply lines are less. Of course, what Hellenistic monarch can resist taking potshots at me? Thus has the Egypto-Parthian War begun. Currently I am busy razing Egypt proper, having already razed Sidon, Hierosylma, Alexandreia, Memphis, Diospis-Megale, and Hibis. I plan on razing Paraitonion then returning home with my spoils, which has provided quite the boom, allowing me to start the advanced mines in many provinces. Conveniently the Ptolies are following behind and retaking the empty shells, thus preventing them from getting a massive influx of Apeleutheroi. Also, both the AS and Ptolies are at war with the Maksplosion and each have seized an island territory from the Maks. Of course, Maksplosion would not have happened had Epeiros not decided to take on one war to many. The Romani, Maks, AS (briefly), and Getai were just too much area for not enough military-economic might. The KH are undergoing a "resurgence" of sorts due to rebellion and took Amaseia after I let it revolt. They'd be crushed by now if the AS was able to focus its efforts.
I'm waiting for the inevitable Saba betrayal now that I share a border with them. Hopefully they'll attempt to pillage the weakened Ptolies.
I had a brief war with the Saka during which time they had Gava-Mazakata revolt to the Sauromatae, thus sparking their war and enabling me to get peace. Sadly I couldn't get to Gava-Mazakata before the Saka retook it, and now that is their capital so I can't buy it off of them. Here's hoping that Faction Heir is cheap to buy.... I've dealt with the Hai so other than that anomaly back East it only a little more westward expansion for me to meet the VC, which means I can relax and play around for a while.
Other than that there have been no major surprises. Carthage and Rome keep meekly attacking the other, while Rome has its hands full with Luso, Aedui, and now Sweboz. The Luso have done what they seem pretty good at doing nowadays, and that is kicking Carthage out of Spain.
Current diplomatic situation for me:
Allies: Saka (they were surprisingly receptive after I got peace), Epeiros, Sweboz, Aedui, Luso, Saba
Neutral: AS, KH, Sauromatae, Getai, Romani, Carthage, Casse, Aedui
War: Ptolies

[Tartaros]

War: Ptolies

Go for it!!

[PriestLizard]

Young Baktria of mine at its climax of power. Around 260BC I found myself in war with all three neighbouring factions (Saka, AS, Pahlava). While the AS seemed to be busy with the Ptolemaioi in the west, the war against Pahlava pushed me into a campaign against their small empire. Using some bold moves (counter-attacking their lands while they siege Baktra), Theodotos managed to conquer their two cities and destroy the whole faction.

It wasnt much of help.

Later in 255BC the AS continued their expedition against Baktria and sent a full stack (almost 4000 men [huge]), conquering Alexandreia-Ariana and Antiocheia-Margiane. As this was not enough, the Saka also attacked with an almost full stack of horse archers and footmen, sieging Baktra several times.

I really dont know how you can prevail as Baktria on VH (campaign map). As you can see on the picture above, I have a fairly good battle record of 25-2... even though I had some hard times against Pahlava and their horse archers. Still, I almost end up in war with all three factions arround me which seems just too much! Maybe I was too risky this time... anyway...

In 251BC there was a full stack of AS near Baktra and a full stack from Saka sieging Baktra. I only had Baktra and Kophen left, no army, no allies, low economy... thats when I surrendered. Thats the result:



The seleucids had conquered Baktra and the rebels took Kophen. That happened when I moved one FM (Petrokles Marakandaios) from Kophen to Krete... with the help of some cheated money (my RPG goes that he used the private stash of Basileus Theodotos... as Petrokles was a very selfish and disloyal man) and mercenary, I took Krete to stay in the game and moved the capital to that island.

Now I have some kind of Observer campaign where I want to see where the game goes for a while... I will just try to keep my (Petrokles') personal island as long as possible and maybe even conquer some more if its possible...

Anyway, you guys have some advice which (serious) campaign I should start where I have a chance of actually finishing the campaign (means "victory")? I dont know whats my problem, either economy (build-up style) or diplomacy... its not about the battles, I'm doing OK with that. I thought about trying Epeiros again (I had a good campaign going before I switched to ALX.exe) or Seleucids because I really like them... I'm a little bit tired of successor armies though and Seleucids will be as hard as Baktria I guess (because of MANY enemies).

What do you suggest? I'm looking for a decent challenge... but also something where I can actually win the campaign.

Halps... :(

[Gaius Scribonius Curio]

Things that need improvement

Hayasadan still always takes to the steppes
Saka/Sauromatae stall after rapid early expansion
Baktria is now very weak compared to before.
Arverni are utterly destroyed by Aedui, the fight used to go on for ages
Casse & Saba still weak, though I suppose this is historical
Carthage never really does anything until 220 BCE

Not sure how common this is being my first serious campaign, particularly in light of the above, but by 250ish in my Romani campaign:

Hayasdan have most of the Causcaus and are at war with the AS.
Baktria is holding its own against the AS and expanding into India.
The Arverni own most of southern France, much more than the Aedui anyway.

And this is all without any real interference on my part. Screenshots of map will be forthcoming.