Open challenge: Duel to the Death

[Ibn-Khaldun]

Apology - what is that??

We will take out your armies one by one .. till there is no man left to fight

You need more than 'few short turns' to put me down

[Askthepizzaguy]

ATPG versus Ibn-Khaldun, vanilla 1.3
Egypt vs Sicily
Turn 22
Strategy: Total Annihilation
Current priority: All remaining Sicilians.


The situation is more dire than you realize...

Tunis, Ajaccio, Palermo, Cagliari, Naples, all Egyptian... Durazzo, Thessalonica, Corinth, Genoa, Florence, all under seige.

We destroyed Merlin, the general at Ajaccio, we destroyed your King, beseiging Rhodes. All your settlements are under seige and you have only one crusader stack remaining, besieging Naples.

And there was much death and gnashing of teeth, infidel.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Merlin the Magician will need a miracle to survive our assault. I could have used that large force now beseiging Genoa, but it wouldn't be as much fun.



We surround the infidel on all sides and rain death upon them, and prepare to charge the flanks.



Both flanks collapse, and the general reveals himself to us.



His throat cut, he falls to the ground, bleeding.



His forces will now scatter, easy prey for our horsemen.



With a 3-1 handicap, we utterly crushed them!



To Florence!



A nasty surprise for your infidel King...



The enemy have no chance. Our forces are vastly superior.



I think one charge oughta do it...



Cue the braveheart music!



Freeeeeedoooooooooom!!!!!!!



The pocket collapses around the quarterback, and there's no one he can pass to. Looks like this general has just been sacked!



The general falls as the defensive line collapses.



Time to crush the schwein!



The al-Mahdi army was victorious... soon the enemy will experience the full power of the dark side.

[Askthepizzaguy]

ATPG versus Ibn-Khaldun, vanilla 1.3
Egypt vs Sicily
Turn 23


Victory!

All Sicilian settlements captured except Naples, all Sicilian family members destroyed, rebel Naples under seige, Sicilian faction destroyed.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The first time anyone has actually duelled me to the Death. Congratulations, Ibn-Khaldun! Your bravery cannot be questioned.

Ibn-Khaldun gains trait Fierce in Battle
Ibn-Khaldun gains trait Unafraid of Egyptians




The final seige of Naples. All other Sicilian provinces have been sacked. Incredibly, the Turks are still alive and actually reclaimed their capital.






Overall ranking curve and financial screen. When on Jihad, the no-upkeep part really helps the finances. Not to mention all the sacking done this turn.

Congratulations again to Ibn-Khaldun for one epic match... truly a Duel to the Death!

[Askthepizzaguy]

Current challengers:

UPDATE!

Ignoramus, France, versus ATPG, Turks (Vanilla 1.3) Waiting on Challenger

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Status: France has crusaders nearing our capital, but we have far more jihadis nearing what remains of France. Turks have a large territorial lead and a much larger standing army. Edge: Turks

Monk, Jerusalem, versus ATPG, Ghorids (BC 1.5) Waiting on Challenger

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Status: Jerusalem has conquered two factions, while the Ghorids claim 6. Ghorids have decisive leads in all categories. Edge: Ghorids

Elite Ferret, Khwarezm, versus ATPG, ERE(BC 1.5) Waiting on Challenger

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Khwarezm appears ready to defend, having accomplished their objectives. Meanwhile, Rome has taken out the Turks, crippled Armenia, Jerusalem, and hurt the Ayyubids, while boxing in the Georgians. The Romans have also launched a deep penetrating offensive against the Caliphate, who is nearly destroyed, with Baghdad captured and huge amounts of mercenaries roam Abassid lands. Due to size of lands and forces, Edge: Rome

Byblos, Spain, versus ATPG, Scotland (Vanilla 1.3) Waiting on Challenger

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Scotland has destroyed England and a Spanish invasion force left by ship to go deal with internal matters. We have declared war on France and joined a crusade that was in-progress. Spain lags behind in all categories. Edge: Scotland

Grog, Turks, versus ATPG, England(LTC 3.1) Game In Progress

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

England is off to a promising start...

Finished Games:
ATPG (Ayyubids) versus Monk (Georgia) Win: Ayyubids
ATPG (Moors) versus Ichigo (England) Win: Moors
ATPG (Scotland) versus TheFlax (England) Win: Scotland
ATPG (Oman) versus TriforceV (Jerusalem) Win: Oman
ATPG (Russia) versus AndyNgFL (Scotland) Win: Russia
ATPG (Moors) versus AntiWarmanCake88 (HRE) Win: Moors
ATPG (Egypt) versus Ibn-Khaldun (Sicily) Win: Egypt

[Ibn-Khaldun]

This was a great game

Better masterplan and destruction of Milan in the early game would 've made the game look much diffrent.

Oh well..

You truely are the Master of the Duels

[Askthepizzaguy]

My duel to the death guide (under construction) has been posted. Should reveal some key hints. Next is the faction-specific guide for duels for Vanilla/LTC and Broken Crescent.

I look forward to rematches with you, Ibn-Khaldun, and any other opponents!

[Askthepizzaguy]

New Duel:

ATPG versus Grog, Lands to Conquer 3.1
England vs Turks
Turn 1
Strategy: Diplomacy
Current Priority: HRE

Events this turn:

Alliance and marriage to Constance Capet(French Princess), trade rights, map information, military access, purchased Angers and Rheims from France for 2000 florins for 20 turns, offered to attack several factions, averaging 1000 florins apiece for the task. York was taken. Large force assembled near York, Rennes. Ballista, spy, horse, archer, and infantry recruitment facilities constructed. York was made into a Motte and Bailey. Nearing bankrupt this turn. Diplomat reached HRE.


Duel England versus Mongols cancelled.


PS- update: console/administrator totally disabled for all hotseats except BC2, which I shouldnt need at this point anyway.

[Grog]

Grog vs ATPG Turn1

Turkey vs England LTC3.1 VH

Logistical prelude to 'Sword of the East' Jihad

Troops queues maxxed, construction of shisha bar and barracks. Spy/diplomat movements. All generals converging. ~4k florins saved towards first jihad.

[Askthepizzaguy]

ATPG versus Grog, Lands to Conquer 3.1
England vs Turks
Turn 2
Strategy: Diplomacy
Current Priority: Milan

Allied with HRE, lay seige to Rennes, moved princess south, moved King's army north, preparing another diplomat.

[Grog]

Grog vs ATPG Turn2

Mowed my front garden. Raked the grass up. Called Jihad vs Baghdad, 2 stacks joined.

Alliance with Byzantines , recruited some mercs, trained another diplomat.

[Askthepizzaguy]

ATPG versus Grog, Lands to Conquer 3.1
England vs Turks
Turn 3
Strategy: Diplomacy
Current Priority: Papal States

Took Rennes, declared war on Scots, destroyed Scottish army, laying seige to Edinburgh.

[Askthepizzaguy]

ATPG versus Grog, Lands to Conquer 3.1
England vs Turks
Turn 4
Strategy: Expansion
Current Priority: Rebels

We were warned by the Pope not to assault Edinburgh, so a hasty cease-fire, trade agreement, and alliance later, we switched our policy to one of containment for the next 7 turns. Our goal is to take Inverness, Caernarvon, and Dublin, followed by Antwerp, Bruges, and other rebel settlements. We also plan on betraying our "good friends" the French. Our relations with the Pope are now perfect.


ATPG versus TriforceV, BC 1.5
Oman v Jerusalem
Turn 20a (replay game)
Strategy: Defense
Current Priority: Jerusalem, Seljuks.

We sacked another Seljuk city, swimming in cash yet again, economy flourishing. Keep advancing, Jerusalem... keep advancing...

[Grog]

Grog vs ATPG Turn3-5

Jihad is building up a bit of steam, annoyingly fell 1 pixel movement short of sieging aleppo and acre with my holy armies..ho hum

Antioch is now in turkish hands and I am eyeing up my 'allies' byzantine. I screwed some florins from Hungary to fund a bit of development. Economy slowly picking up, few niggles here and there but nothing that can be smoothed out soon enough..

No sign of the Roastbeef's armies yet..*looks around in a paranoid manner*. Spies online.

Oh, and backstabbed Byz as they were in the way.

Eqypt refused my rude diplomat's offer of alliance so trouble brewing down south too..

[Askthepizzaguy]

ATPG versus Grog, Lands to Conquer 3.1
England vs Turks
Turn 6
Strategy: Expansion
Current Priority: France, Rebels, Denmark

All of the British Isles except Edinburgh have been conquered or under seige. Rennes, Bruges, Marseilles, Caen, Antwerp all under seige or owned on the mainland. Scotland is paralyzed by Papal-sponsored peace and alliance with us, France is paralyzed by a marriage alliance, still we expand.

A crusade has been called against Vilnius, which should allow us to conquer Denmark, Poland, Russia, and the Holy Roman Empire.

At some point we may become excommunicated, but we have ballista under construction to allow us to conquer many provinces in a single turn, before his Holy-moleyness gets involved.

The Turks have a distinct advantage of having Catholics aplenty to target whilst England cannot crusade if excommunicated. Therefore, we are somewhat forced into a semi-expansionist/turtle role.

How will ATPG fare when maximum blitzosity is denied as an option, against perhaps the second best blitzer of all time? We shall see. For now, the graphs favor us...

[Grog]

Grog vs ATPG Turn6

Strike and fade war with Byzantine going well. Adopted general gathering troops to take nicacea and constantinople. Thessalonica sieged. Spies staring to move west.

Egypt under attack from the Turks, walked into alexandria after map info exchange showed it empty, do pass go, do collect 2k florins for free, plus egypt sieging a heavy rebel Jerusalem so won't get back in time to save Cairo from the green horde.

In other news, Batu the mini Mongol begins his sailing holiday in the Med somewhere...

[Askthepizzaguy]

ATPG versus Grog, Lands to Conquer 3.1
England vs Turks
Turn 9
Strategy: Expansion
Current Priority: France, Rebels, Denmark

We have amassed a huge fighting force, one of our more worthless stacks stands ready to annihilate the Scots as soon as the Papal warning is no longer in effect (2 turns), we have assembled a massive force ready to take Paris and Bordeaux as soon as the crusade is over, and we have allied with all other relevant nations.

The simple fact of relying on the Pope for crusading ability leads me to believe that I will lose this match... I have foreseen it.

I cannot face the Turks without expanding into Catholic lands, I cannot expand into Catholic lands without angering the Pope, I cannot anger the Pope and call a crusade, and I cannot face the Turks without the ability to crusade. Against such a skilled foe, these major setbacks are in fact mortal wounds.

Graphs indicate the Turks have taken the lead in most categories, yet the size of our armed forces is still greater than theirs. We can only hope their jihad ends soon, or we will fall hopelessly behind in development.

Edge: Turks

All is not lost yet, as I plan for a sudden devastating wave of expansion after my crusade against Vilnius is over, taking an excommunication if necessary, then offing my king and trying to make pretty puppy dog eyes and sweet kissy faces at the Pope to try and regain his good side.

I seem to recall that you can blitz through the pain of an excommunication if you're good enough, and rack up enough glory points to offset the public order problems. With France and Scotland destroyed, I should attain some glory and fear bonuses.

Killing the king is as simple as ramming him against my enemies without a bodyguard, and being granted a reprieve by the Pope, I will simply use my diplomatic magic to restore relations.

It's going to take huge risks and massive gambles, but England MAY have a shot at not being obliterated right away.

[Ferret]

ATPG versus Elite Ferret, Broken Crescent
ERE vs Kwarezmian Shah
Turn 21
Strategy: I seem to be blitzing now...just very slowly
Current Priority: Great Seljuks

22,000 florins were gained in the sack of Rayy, after my betrayal, I wonder who you will decide to stay allied with?

[Grog]

Grog v ATPG Turns 7-8

Well England owe Sicily a few crates of Vintage Bordeaux. Batu the MiniMongol was destroyed by a sicilian standing army in ai moves turn 6, mainly my mistake as I camped on Palermo island rather than the heel of Italy, bad luck. I lost a good general and 5-6 units of cheap troops, I was hoping for a roaming pope to whack and cause some havoc with Englands crusade. My 4* diplomat has been sitting on vilinus for last two turns trying to bribe them off, no luck yet..

War with Egypt, Byzantine and other actions all going well. I made a few stupid moves that slowed me a turn or two, although you have to hold back a touch when relying on autoresolve defence..

I should hopefully finish Egypt next turn or two, they are currently hiding in Jersualem while their lands burn.

Economy is getting better, spies should be seeing England soon. assassins online soon. Economy/Pop beginning to show inklings of a boom. Starting to get a few Imans trained to convert the faithless barbarians of the west..

Military tech centres are developing nicely in a few classified areas, should be able to train snap armies of quality troops in various parts of the turkish empire should the need arise.

Hopefully find some florins for further development before my Jihad ends, stack is prepping near Baghdad for assault soon.

[Grog]

Grog vs ATPG Turn9

The "Sword of the East" Jihad is progressing well. Constantinople under siege which will finish Byzantine. Egypt is on the ropes. Secondary wave fronts in training . Spies deep into Europe. Second jihad target is nicely buffered. Assassins online when first Jihad ends..

Economy beginning to boom, Population booming. Some disorder but dread and glory bonus in the next 1-2 turns will sort this. Capital relocation to Istanbul soon.

Operation "Scorched Earth" is now being enabled. Central Europe and the Med will soon descend into seething chaos and entropy.

Over four nightfigher generals now. Over four 6-star+ commanders. A few dreadlords in training..

Long campaign Victory estimated turn 16-18.

Will England fight on against the Turkish Fury?

Some spoilers:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Ragusa falls to the Turkish Horde. Although I outnumbered them, the 'odds' were 2:1 against me. Luckily their general was in the castle and the standing army outside, so it was easy to splinter and rout them with a demented general and 2 HA's while the ghazis and mercs stormed the gates. Lost a few mercs to venices general before he was swamped.


'Sword of the East' Jihad nears conclusion...


Faction Rankings, blitzometer turned up to 11...

[Askthepizzaguy]

Just want to say, long campaign victories are nice bonuses, but until your opponent concedes or dies, you don't win the match.

hehehe.

We aren't at all frightened of Turkey. When your nation is nothing but smoldering ash, your early lead will be quite laughable. I've defeated superior empires before.

[Askthepizzaguy]

ATPG versus Elite Ferret, Broken Crescent 1.5
Rome vs Khwarezm
Turn 22
Strategy: Blitz
Current priority: Abassids, Jerusalem, Georgians, Armenians, rebels

Took Heraclea, Sis, Seleukeia, Acre, Basra this turn.
Beseiging Sinop, Famagusta.
Targeting Jerusalem, Vahka.

Declared brief cease-fire with Jerusalem to achieve our aims.
Armenians down to sole province, Abassids down to sole province, invasion of Georgia nearing execution, secondary and tertiary waves invading Jerusalem, many spies and assassins recruited, many buildings constructed, Baghdad alone earning nearly 6000 per turn, lead Khwarezm stacks scouted, preparing assassinations.

Sided with Seljuk allies against the Muslim traitors, Khwarezm.
All graphs but production heavily favor Rome.

ATPG versus Grog, LTC 3.1
England versus Turks
Turn 10
Strategy: (hidden)
Current Priority: (hidden)

Spies recruited. Knights in position for checkmate of the French and Scottish. Crusade target under seige. More happenings, but none revealed.

Graphs currently favor Turks slightly, edge: Turks

[Grog]

Grog vs ATPG Turn10

Made relatively good sacking income from Jerusalem and Constantinople, which was squandered wisely on troops, agents and some building work. Byzantines destroyed. Egypt decimated and final general sieged in Gaza.

First contact has been made with the infidel. His crusade stack sieged vilinus, so I have offered trade rights and map info exchange.

Laurence the Diplomat was detected by the Turkish spy network northwest of Sofia. Cue the diversion of my low loyalty dreadlord away from harms reach and a more sturdy chap replacing him.(cost me a sideways move sort of..)

Sieged Baghdad with an adequate army only, as most will be disbanded at this end once the Jihad ends.

Other movements and objectives now classified...

[Askthepizzaguy]

after several days off, I am back, guys. My great offensive against the Islamic horde begins now...

[Askthepizzaguy]

UPDATE:

After some very disappointing attempts, the LTC save for mine and Grog's duel seems corrupted. This duel is on hold for now. If I didnt have like a billion things to do this turn, I could handle the CTD by being quick... but it crashes whenever I try to battle or use a spy...

Meanwhile, I am asking those who have duels on hold with me to let me know what their status is.

Ignoramus, its been an eternity, are we still playing?

EF, Monk, how's things? Byblos, are you there?

__________________________

Starting another duel out of sheer boredom, another handicap match ala Oman versus Jerusalem.



Malikate of Sindh (ATPG) versus Ayyubid Sultanate (Merlox), BC 1.5 with hotfixes.

[Merlox]

Malikate of Sindh (ATPG) versus Ayyubid Sultanate (Merlox), BC 1.5 with hotfixes.

Some how ATPG has convinced me to do a duel with him, right after he makes me read his whole duel section and scares the living crap outa me. If I live past turn 20, I will be amazed. Though, time to play, we are on turn 2, Guys give me some info!!! any ways... ....

[Askthepizzaguy]

Malikate of Sindh (ATPG) versus Ayyubid Sultanate (Merlox), BC 1.5 with hotfixes.
Turn 1
Current Strategy: Use my vastly superior forces to annihilate everyone in my path
Current Priority: Single handedly defeating the Borg Collective, using only a wooden spoon and a pack of bubble gum.


Movement: Beseiging one province.

No money remaining.
No agents available.
No buildings.
No recruitment available.
My faction is completely and totally worthless.

[Merlox]

Malikate of Sindh (ATPG) versus Ayyubid Sultanate (Merlox), BC 1.5 with hotfixes.
Turn 2
Current Strategy: To see if I can win with ATPG's huge handicap.
Current Priority: To get alot more while he hit's people with his spoon and throws bubble gum at them


Movement: sacked 2 provinces. Beseiging one

Only small money
Got a diplomat, Mistakenly threw away my spy when i thought he was a diplomat... poor soul.
Economy Buildings.
Some really bad units with REALLY low upkeep!
Egypt is showing some promise...

[Askthepizzaguy]

Malikate of Sindh (ATPG) versus Ayyubid Sultanate (Merlox), BC 1.5 with hotfixes.
Turn 2
Current Strategy: Pretending I am invisible
Current Priority: Not sucking so hard


Movement: Took one province. Advancing on second one.

No money remaining.
No agents available.
No buildings.
No recruitment available.
My faction is completely and totally worthless.


All graphs and all sane logic greatly favors the Ayyubid Sultanate. Edge: Ayyubids

[Merlox]

Malikate of Sindh (ATPG) versus Ayyubid Sultanate (Merlox), BC 1.5 with hotfixes.
Turn 3
Current Strategy: EXPAND AS FAST, SACKING, and ALLYING/TRADING WHO EVER I CAN FIND
Current Priority: Expanding fast. I might betray jerusalem once forces big enough, do a 1-2 punch.
Diplomacy: Trading with Jerusalem, Armenia, and Turks also, heading for the romans!, Allied with Jerusalem + Turks


Movement: Took 3 so far Besieging 1, about to besiege 3 others.

about 1k left.
Getting up some merchants.
Building some more ecom buildings.
Recruiting more of the cheapest units.

[Askthepizzaguy]

Malikate of Sindh (ATPG) versus Ayyubid Sultanate (Merlox), BC 1.5 with hotfixes.
Turn 3
Current Strategy: Pretending I am invisible
Current Priority: Not sucking so hard


Movement: Still advancing. Built a fort for protection from a HUGE rebel stack.

No money remaining.
No agents available.
2 Shisha bars.
My faction is near absolute worthlessness.


All graphs and all sane logic greatly favors the Ayyubid Sultanate. Edge: Ayyubids