Most dominant infantry in Europe

[athanaric]

There is certainly trade to be had in the Baltic. But when those annoying rebel pirates start showing up about 10-15 years in and blockading half of your ports, that is another story. This is what happened to me in my long ago Sweboz campaign and unlike the Celts who can build the large ships in Amorica, I was doomed to just deal with it.

You don't have to deal with it. It is possible to defeat the pirate swarms without using too many ships. One fleet of six or so warship units should be enough. Make sure to target the weakest pirate fleets first, to gather experience and command stars. For more details, see here:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Originally Posted by athanaric:

3.2.1 A way to reach Gotland without getting squashed by pirates:


Usually the Baltic Sea is infested by ridiculous numbers of pirates, which will sink your transport fleets. Here's what you do:
1) Conquer Gawjam-Skandzawarjoz (build level 1 government of course).
2) Build up its trade port to level 2 [this gives you a money boost you need to afford ships].
3) Build a military port. This will enable you to build the transport boats.
4) Move your army on land as close as possible towards Gotland. It should be near modern day Västervik.
5) Build a unit of transport boats, and move them between Gotland and your army. Their (the fleet's) movement points expire there. Make sure your army has enough movement points left!!! Otherwise they will be stuck on the fleet and sunk by the inevitable pirates.
6) Move the army onto the boats. They should be able to get out of them onto Gotland in the same turn (otherwise you're screwed).
7) Take the settlement, build level 1 government.
8) Proceed the same way as in Gawjam-Skandzawarjoz. Now you will be able to build a level 2 military port on Gotland.
9) Build six units of "warships" on Gotland. KILL ALL PIRATES with them. Retraining will be necessary a lot.
10) Warships are expensive, so disband or merge the least experienced ones when there are no pirates nearby.