Which faction provides the biggest test?

[Vincent Butler]

Be interesting to see as Pahlava (Parthia in EB). Definitely heavy cav and horse archer. Back to RTW, Phraaspa should be your first target. For me, next time I start, I will try to kill Campus Sakae's population growth, just leave some EI for garrison, and use that army against Seleucia, or elsewhere if needed. Maybe use some of Susa's army there as well, or use Susa (depends on what it has) to immediately carry out an offensive before the enemy even reaches Susa, keep the fight out as far as possible. It seems conquering is imperative, whereas with Rome or Greece you can trade some first. At least a strategy worth trying, and if it doesn't work, oh well.