MedMod/Swedes/Early/Conquest

[rpasell]

I'm now in 1230 in this campaign. It's got to be the toughest challenge I've ever had in Medieval. I currently control Sweden, Finland, Livonia, Lithuania, Moldavia, Muscovy, Novgorod, Prussia, Pomerania, the Province directly east of Poland (I forget it's name), and Kiev.

Expansion has been slow as I wasn't powerful enough to invade any of my neighbors. I took over Livonia (invaded), and Lithuania (Bribed) early, and then concentrated on the economy. I developed an assassin (currently 7 *) and started picking off Russian heirs, and finally killed the Prince of Russia to make them all rebels.

I then bribed as many Heavy Cav and Boyer units as I could as the Swedes have no heavy cav available, and limited cav of any kind.

The Polish then decided to invade, so I defended, then assassinated the royal line, and bribed about 20 units of Polish retainers.

I am currently defending Kiev with a significant numerical disadvantage against the Horde. Fortunately they are all bridge battles. Each battle is about 5000 vs. 1000, and are really entertaining. Svea Axeman became available to me about 25 turns ago or so, and wow, they are tanks. They cut down Horde Heavy Cav like butter.

Anyway, if you are looking for a challenge, try the Swedes in the MedMod. Their utter lack of decent cavalry really makes you think about strategy and how to find other cav units. Livonia is a must because it has an Inn and you can hire some OK cav units there, but bribery is also key.

Comments? Questions?

Cheers to Wes and the MedMod

[Demequis]

I still think that HRE is the most challenging faction with medmod, but it sounds like you're having a fun time there bud :)

I know what you mean about the cavalry, or rather lack thereof... Your faction is based around "tanks" as you put it though. Use fast infantry for flanking rather than cavalry since its in such short supply. If you pin with spears or cheap troops your can even send your slow murderers around the back about as effectively as heavy cav.

[Kaboom]

Well, Svea and Dane do very well in Wes mod. Don't know the true reason but think the axe is too powerful