Quote Originally Posted by vartan View Post
Well-said. The KH treaty is usually unnecessary if you occupy. If necessary, the treaty is easily attained, though. The port, wonderful. I actually make it a secondary objective to obtain the two provinces in the Crimean (I believe it is called the Crimean), the peninsula across the Pontic Sea (aka Black Sea). I enjoy sea trade. Pontus isn't a problem to be honest. Defence is easy due to your Caucasian Archers. Also, I would rather take Ani than leave it alone, as AS usually takes the province within the first decade if you are careless.
I've been trying to avoid all-out war with the Sauromatae, so I haven't moved to the Crimea yet, although I'm planning on it soon. Sea trade is probably the second best money maker in the game after mines, that's why I suggest taking Trapezous early, and you're right, I actually haven't had any problems with Pontos, in fact, we're still allies surprisingly enough. I actually was suggesting taking Ani Kamah, I was pointing out that there is also a wandering rebel half-stack in the mountain passes to the West of Ani Kamah that can act as a bit of a buffer against the AS coming at Ani Kamah from that direction, although it is not a particularly big buffer. And yes, Caucasian Archers are essential to early game defense as the Hai, they will save you many a time.