Mongol Invasion!

**ReluctantSamurai** · 02-06-2009, 00:05

The Sengoku period seems to be getting well covered so I thought to do something different...................Mongol Invasion!
I haven't played this in a long time and always got my butt handed to me, and that on normal difficulty, IIRC. So it's time to give this another whirl

MONGOL INVASION---Hojo---hard

The failure of the Divine Wind to stop the Mongols results in this....

https://imgcash4.imageshack.us/Himg4...=640&ysize=480
http://imgcash5.imageshack.us/Himg33...=640&ysize=480

I beat a hasty retreat and raze Hizen, which can't be held in any event. The Mongols are quick to move.....
http://imgcash5.imageshack.us/Himg20...=640&ysize=480
https://imgcash6.imageshack.us/Himg4...=640&ysize=480

The purpose of this bridge defense is to cause as much damage as possible before withdrawing, as I doubt my troops can hold.

The first part of the battle is going as planned.
https://imgcash2.imageshack.us/Himg4...=640&ysize=480
https://imgcash2.imageshack.us/Himg2...=640&ysize=480

My archers are out of arrows......it's time to withdraw. Most of the mongol troops are on the other side of the bridge except for one small contingent just this side of it. The boundary is close behind and I'm already congratulating myself for near-perfect execution of my battle-plan.
http://imgcash1.imageshack.us/Himg41...=640&ysize=480

Until......................
https://imgcash6.imageshack.us/Himg2...=640&ysize=480

If you've played MI before you know all about these guys.....Mongol Light Cavalry. Damn I hate these things. In the words of Muhammed Ali: "Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee." They're faster than Yari Cav, have a longer range than Cav Archers, and have melee stats that enable them to go hand-to-hand when necessary.

They harass my rear-guard and the line starts to waver.....
https://imgcash2.imageshack.us/Himg2...=640&ysize=480

........resulting in this.......
https://imgcash4.imageshack.us/Himg2...=640&ysize=480

Still, I rate the defense as a success with a 3 to 1 kill ratio.

The Mongols are on the move again and I fully expect to have to withdraw from Kyushu entirely. But I have to make them pay for their gains so I attempt to defend where I have the possibility of causing lots of casualties.
https://imgcash4.imageshack.us/Himg2...=640&ysize=480

Did I mention that I hate Mongol Light Cavalry?
http://imgcash5.imageshack.us/Himg20...=640&ysize=480

I have a good defensive position, however, and the ashi x-bowmen wreak havoc............
https://imgcash6.imageshack.us/Himg1...=640&ysize=480

Unfortunately, I don't have any cavalry to run down routers............
https://imgcash6.imageshack.us/Himg4...=640&ysize=480

Nasu Motunaga has held, and the Mongols are dealt their first defeat.....
https://imgcash4.imageshack.us/Himg1...=640&ysize=480

The Mongols occupy the empty province of Hizen.
https://imgcash4.imageshack.us/Himg2...=640&ysize=480

Time to deal with some ronin.......
https://imgcash2.imageshack.us/Himg1...=640&ysize=480

The chase, and victory.......
https://imgcash3.imageshack.us/Himg1...=640&ysize=480
https://imgcash4.imageshack.us/Himg1...=640&ysize=480

........which earns me this.......
https://imgcash2.imageshack.us/Himg2...=640&ysize=480

...........and two promotions.
https://imgcash3.imageshack.us/Himg2...=640&ysize=480
https://imgcash2.imageshack.us/Himg2...=640&ysize=480

Harvest time...things are looking up.
https://imgcash2.imageshack.us/Himg2...=640&ysize=480

**Sasaki Kojiro** · 02-06-2009, 00:24

Nice...see if you can confine them to kyushu...

**ReluctantSamurai** · 02-06-2009, 00:32

Time to deal with more ronin.......
https://imgcash6.imageshack.us/Himg2...=640&ysize=480

You'd think this cavalry sandwich would result in a rout?!?
https://imgcash3.imageshack.us/Himg2...=640&ysize=480

My infantry chases the rebel archers......
https://imgcash3.imageshack.us/Himg5...=640&ysize=480

The rebel general STILL hasn't gone down

http://imgcash5.imageshack.us/Himg29...=640&ysize=480

Finally

**ReluctantSamurai** · 02-06-2009, 01:02

As expected...........
https://imgcash4.imageshack.us/Himg2...=640&ysize=480

I really thought I had a good shot at holding this.....most of my troops are on the hill and tucked into the woods..............until my right-flank gives way.............
https://imgcash2.imageshack.us/Himg2...=640&ysize=480
https://imgcash2.imageshack.us/Himg2...=640&ysize=480

..............with predictable results.............
http://imgcash1.imageshack.us/Himg29...=640&ysize=480
https://imgcash2.imageshack.us/Himg2...=640&ysize=480

Also expected........
http://imgcash1.imageshack.us/Himg41...=640&ysize=480

With the loss in Bungo, however, this is now a fight to the death as Nasu has nowhere to retreat.

But Nasu hangs tough, though once again the lack of cavalry precludes chasing routers........
http://imgcash5.imageshack.us/Himg24...=640&ysize=480
http://imgcash5.imageshack.us/Himg24...=640&ysize=480
https://imgcash3.imageshack.us/Himg2...=640&ysize=480

So I lose the battle I expected to win, and win one that I expected to lose. Go figure..............

However...........
https://imgcash3.imageshack.us/Himg2...=640&ysize=480

And now this...........
https://imgcash2.imageshack.us/Himg2...=640&ysize=480

I did mention that I hate Mongol Light Cavalry, right?
http://imgcash5.imageshack.us/Himg52...=640&ysize=480

But the fog, the archery, and the steep hill prove too much for the Mongols....
http://imgcash5.imageshack.us/Himg51...=640&ysize=480

And again the lack of cavalry prevents me from inflicting higher casualties. I wonder if Mongols can be bribed

https://imgcash3.imageshack.us/Himg5...=640&ysize=480
http://imgcash5.imageshack.us/Himg52...=640&ysize=480

Nasu is tested once again. The Mongols make a half-hearted attempt at my Daimyo but called off the attack.
https://imgcash4.imageshack.us/Himg5...=640&ysize=480

What a surprise.....lots of Mongol Light Cav.................

https://imgcash3.imageshack.us/Himg1...=640&ysize=480

But Nasu holds and is promoted once again.
https://imgcash3.imageshack.us/Himg5...=640&ysize=480
https://imgcash3.imageshack.us/Himg5...=640&ysize=480

As is Ogasawara in Higo.
https://imgcash4.imageshack.us/Himg2...=640&ysize=480

I have to protect the dojo's in Satsuma, however, so Ogasawara has to withdraw............
https://imgcash3.imageshack.us/Himg5...=640&ysize=480

Meanwhile, there's trouble brewing in the hinterlands..................
https://imgcash2.imageshack.us/Himg2...=640&ysize=480

**patdj** · 02-06-2009, 10:10

Going nicely. BTW: what do you think of Mongol Light Cavalry? They are superb, aren't they? :D

I once had a try on this and was overrun in the first year. I'm taking notes how to do better next time.

**zyxophoj** · 02-06-2009, 10:26

Everyone hates the Mongol light cavalry. Ashi crossbowmen are the key to beating them - it's not at all unusual for them to get over 100 kills in one battle.

The thing I really hate about the Mongols is the bridge battles where it seems like you're winning - and then the Mongol reinforcements appear on your side of the bridge. Argh!

**Noir** · 02-06-2009, 11:17

The only unit i dislike more than MLC (due to being overpowered) are the ashigaru xbows - not just fiction but bad fiction too.

The japanese roster needed a full overhaul in order to be set against the mongols in the 13th century. Yari samurai didnt exist as a unit then - neither Naginata samurai and as mentioned the ashigaru xbows are a fantasy unit too, as well as the yari cavalry.

Noir

**patdj** · 02-06-2009, 12:09

That is why they can be really thankful for "Kamikaze".

**gollum** · 02-10-2009, 11:19

Originally posted by patdj
That is why they can be really thankful for "Kamikaze".

Not really - the Mongol invasions happened in two waves - both landings were repulsed with heavy losses for the Mongols despite the japanese being outnumbered.

The Mongols were rushing preparation of their navy that was constructed by their subordinates Koreans and Chinese poorly and resulted in the vessels being lost during the storm, as well as their choice of season to invade (taifoon season).

Only two armies are credited with vctories over Mongol or Mongol led medieval armies - the Japanese under the Kamakura Shogunate and the Egyptian Arabs.

!it burnsus!

**caravel** · 02-10-2009, 12:00

Originally Posted by gollum

The Mongols were rushing preparation of their navy that was constructed by their subordinates Koreans and Chinese poorly and resulted in the vessels being lost during the storm, as well as their choice of season to invade (taifoon season).

I also remember reading somewhere that part of the Mongols' failure was due to their use of quite a few flat bottomed (keelless) river boats.

**ReluctantSamurai** · 02-11-2009, 16:30

The thing I really hate about the Mongols is the bridge battles where it seems like you're winning - and then the Mongol reinforcements appear on your side of the bridge. Argh!

If you patch to v1.02, enemy reinforcements appear where they should....on their side of the river.

Sorry for the delay. Been busy

Mongol Invasion...continued:

The Nagato bridgehead has to be eliminated or Nasu, and with him, Buzen will be lost. Finally a battle where I have the advantage in numbers...............

http://imgcash1.imageshack.us/Himg51...=640&ysize=480

The enemy cavalry are driven off fairly easily, this time, but the Korean Guardsmen (roughly equivalent to Naginata) prove much more troublesome. Tucked into the far corner of the map I had no choice but a frontal assault. My infantry get a bloody nose. Nonetheless, Nagato is retaken, and with it, a route to Nasu in Buzen is secured.
https://imgcash4.imageshack.us/Himg2...=640&ysize=480
https://imgcash3.imageshack.us/Himg5...=640&ysize=480

However............
https://img3.imageshack.us/img3/7648/m069pu1.jpg

Thankfully, the numbers are small because this bunch were the first Mongol Heavy Cav, and Thunder Bombers. For those who don't have MI, Mongol HC have the speed of Yari Cav, the melee stats of Naginata Cav, and a charge bonus second only to Yari Cav. A real load............

Thunder Bombers are extremely dangerous if you get too close. They hurl satchels of ignited gunpowder so archery is the safest way to take them out. I did pretty well until the last couple of battered units retreated into the woods and I had to go in and get them. One bomb landed in my Cav Archer unit and caused 15 casualties to them and 8 to the Naginata that were giving chase.

My infantry taking on the HC, and the battle is won.
https://img25.imageshack.us/img25/6769/m070xq6.jpg
https://img100.imageshack.us/img100/9683/m071dv2.jpg

Time to root them out of Chikuzen............
https://img10.imageshack.us/img10/7732/m072lw9.jpg

On flat, open ground, my x-men have a field day..................
https://img10.imageshack.us/img10/2884/m073en4.jpg

But this time I have cavalry to give chase and with it a big and much-needed victory.
https://img10.imageshack.us/img10/4155/m074ja0.jpg
https://img10.imageshack.us/img10/6951/m075wx5.jpg

Time to finish off the ronin............
https://img443.imageshack.us/img443/9022/m076cy8.jpg

I caught the enemy taisho in another cavalry sandwich but that 0 honor ashi stood there and tore up one of my Yari Cav and didn't rout...........go figure.................
https://img443.imageshack.us/img443/4964/m077ag5.jpg

Nonetheless, the ronin are eliminated and my general gets a promotion.
https://img242.imageshack.us/img242/7442/m078fl2.jpg

Time to get rid of that outpost.....
https://img242.imageshack.us/img242/7/m079xz4.jpg

I've made a strategical blunder, however. Instead of eliminating the Mongols in Chikugo while there were only a handful of units there, I've allowed them to reinforce it. This will prove to be a costly mistake............

This is one of those @#$% maps where you have no choice but to assault uphill into a corner ala Rome Total War. With plenty of Korean Guardsmen hiding in there this proved more costly than I would have liked. It took Tokimune's charge to finally break them..............
https://img410.imageshack.us/img410/600/m080wh0.jpg
https://img410.imageshack.us/img410/8779/m081et1.jpg

And now to Chikugo. Here I didn't figure on capturing it on the first assault, but I wanted to cause enough casualties so that the next one would. Things didn't exactly work out..................
https://img4.imageshack.us/img4/2134/m082di5.jpg

I chose heavy fog figuring I could get in close before the Mongol infantry could get reorganized.............
https://img4.imageshack.us/img4/3458/m083yw7.jpg

I did cause some quick opportunistic damage, but things went downhill from there......
https://img442.imageshack.us/img442/3386/m084sc3.jpg
https://img442.imageshack.us/img442/7645/m085jb3.jpg

I just couldn't entice the Mongol LC to approach the bridge where I could bring them under fire. I did get in some damage to their infantry but not nearly as much as I'd hoped. The Korean Skirmishers were deadly here. Every time I got a couple of infantry units across, they'd unleash their spears (ala legionnaire style) causing heavy damage and my units would rout. I withdrew to regroup.
https://img244.imageshack.us/img244/57/m086wd4.jpg

Second attempt. This time in a heavy thunderstorm, hoping to reduce the archer damage.
https://img244.imageshack.us/img244/4736/m087tv1.jpg

And still it was a close call. Once again it took a charge by Tokimune to break the enemy line and they finally routed.............
https://img3.imageshack.us/img3/4683/m088jx4.jpg
https://img205.imageshack.us/img205/5251/m089ta3.jpg
https://img205.imageshack.us/img205/9905/m090hf0.jpg

While Tokimune was taking Chikugo, Suenaga, his son was headed into Hizen to finish this once and for all.
https://img443.imageshack.us/img443/8991/m091xa4.jpg

Or so I thought......................

With 2 to 1 odds and a good general, I figured this to be a done deal and the first campaign win for me in MI.

This is what happened when I allowed my archers to get too close to the woods.
https://img25.imageshack.us/img25/9071/m092ui2.jpg

In hindsight, with a 2 to 1 numerical superiority, I should have split my forces and come at them from the sides. As good as mongol cavalry is, they can't shoot in two directions at once.

Things then went from bad to worse.........
https://img297.imageshack.us/img297/374/m093ei5.jpg

...................and from worse to disaster.......
https://img297.imageshack.us/img297/2630/m094gx5.jpg
https://img25.imageshack.us/img25/6939/m095cy8.jpg

Did I neglect to mention that I hate Mongol Light Cavalry?

The consequence of losing the battle in Hizen results in this......
https://img25.imageshack.us/img25/1518/m096jc9.jpg

More to come.......................................

**ReluctantSamurai** · 02-23-2009, 21:59

The conclusion.

First, the army in Hizen must go.......
https://img98.imageshack.us/img98/334/m097.jpg

The archery duel begins......
https://img98.imageshack.us/img98/4478/m098.jpg

A group of Mongol Light Cav decide on a charge which my Daimyo meets....
https://img204.imageshack.us/img204/9492/m099.jpg

Time to regroup and finish off the rest.............
https://img204.imageshack.us/img204/7316/m100.jpg

Backed up against the edge of the map, there's no choice but to go up there and get them.................a close run for Hojo..................
https://img6.imageshack.us/img6/3473/m101.jpg

The Mongols don't go down easy, but they do go down.........
https://img6.imageshack.us/img6/4900/m102.jpg

The situation is different in Iwami. The Mongols have lots of heavy cav this time. My Taisho has to sell himself dearly and take down as many as possible before reinforcements arrive.
https://img511.imageshack.us/img511/4853/m103.jpg

Faced with all that cavalry, the inevitable happens...............but Daidoji himself fights bravely to the end and makes the Mongols pay dearly.........
https://img511.imageshack.us/img511/6195/m104.jpg
https://img511.imageshack.us/img511/3825/m105.jpg

All that's left of the invaders.........
https://img520.imageshack.us/img520/6928/m106.jpg

Time to finish them.......
https://img150.imageshack.us/img150/3381/m107.jpg

The enemy Taisho foolishly duels with my Cav Archers alone.......and pays the price..........
https://img4.imageshack.us/img4/4550/m108.jpg

The rest of his army doesn't go quietly, however............
https://img3.imageshack.us/img3/121/m109f.jpg

Finally!
https://img207.imageshack.us/img207/9743/m110.jpg

**patdj** · 02-23-2009, 22:50

Wow, after my first try on this campaign I would never have thought that one could win this without loosing Kyûshû and at least one third of Honshû.

Nicely documented, thanks a lot. I will use this as a manual next time I'm trying this one out.

**ReluctantSamurai** · 02-23-2009, 23:12

Remember, this was on Hard setting, not Expert, so it was perhaps a bit easier than it would have been. With the extra morale boost, the Mongols might not have routed so easily in some of the battles.

OTOH, I made some strategical mistakes that made things more difficult. Basically, no matter what level you play at.....you cannot prevent the landings. Set up what I would term 'control points' from which to send out reinforcements. I chose Aki in southern Honshu, and Satsuma on Kyushu. I've seen strategies that involve sending everything that's already sitting on ports to Hizen the first turn, but if you lose that battle, you lose all the troops you just sent because you cannot defend both Hizen and Chikugo, and Chikuzen is lost on the first turn.

Still, on my prior attempts, I was constantly losing at Normal setting so I guess I've made some progress in tactics

Perhaps next up will be one of the historical campaigns. Several of them are harder than anything presented in the regular camps.....the AI has always mopped the battlefield with my armies on previous attempts except the Oda campaign that starts with the Battle of Okehazama............