This is my first thread

[Lonewarrior]

I have a MTW question, I have tried many times, (only 2), to win with the egyptians, but everytime I get destroy by the Spanish. Why is this and is there a way to avoid this.

[KukriKhan]

Hi Lonewarrior, welcome to the Org

Others may have a more detailed, nuanced strategy for you, but what I've done as Egypt is: make alliance with the Almohads (the guys between you and Spain), and concentrate my initial efforts toward Turkey. Spain needs my (Egyptian) land more than I need theirs. Try to strike alliance with the Byzantines also. Build "happy" buildings (mosques, etc) so that when the inevitable Crusades get unleased, we can counter with Jihads.

As with all factions, buid up trade and shipping ASAP, to bring in $$$'s to spend on military buildup.

[IrishMike]

Hey Lonewarrior, welcome.

I can't help u on the Eggys, usually i am the spanish crushing them .
I am sure though that someone around here could help.

[eadeater]

Hi lone warrior
I've played with the egyptians a number of times, and have struggled a few times, but eventually won through, so maybe I can help you. Firtstly, I don't wage war on anyone and just build up some farmland, trade etc. to get the $$$ rolling in, and wait for the inevitable war between Turkey and the Byzantines (make sure you're allied with them AND the Turks). Then, keep your alliance with the Byzantines, gather your armies and destroy the Turks. This should bring you a few provinces, some of which are quiet profitable, and a (relatively) secure border with the Byzantines. Then, focus all your efforts on the Almohads - they aren't that tough, and you've only got to defend one province at a time all the way up to Morocco. They should be at war with the Spanish as well, so the war on two fronts should ensure their demise. If you have trouble beating them, I would suggest Saracens and Nubians as well as desert archers with Ghulams, these are generally pretty handy together and are bound to do some damage.
Now, you have two choices, either wage war on the Spanish, concentrating all your efforts on them, face up to the fact that the Pope will ask for Crusades, and these are bound to come, but, if you're lucky, the Byzantines might have some beef with the Catholics and not let them through (however this is somewhat unlikely). If the Crusades do come, just grit you teeth, man the hills with your archers and go for the general with all you got. The Spanish are a very annoying nation to fight, however, as the AI tends to use the jinettes a lot, and I mean a LOT. Use camels against them.
Option 2: You can go for the Byzantines. This tactic will not prevent the Crusades, but at least will not provoke them. The Byzantines are, in my opinion, much stronger than the Spanish, but they are also more vulnerable. You can grab a few provinces off them and they will not resist too much, whereas the Spanish value their limited land more. However, the Byzantines WILL defend their key provinces vigorously, and they tend to have super generals as well, which is always an annoyance. If you get Constantinople though, you will be turning the tide of the war quiet significantly (provided you don't lose everything else , as this is a cash farm and is very developed.
Essentially, both choices are valid, but both have their set backs. If the Spanish are at war with either France or Aragon (or even better excommunicated) then definately go for them. Also, don't fear the Crusades too much, they will get weakened as they march through Byzantine provinces, and might not be let through at all.
Hope this helps!

[Lonewarrior]

OK then after I do all that, how do I deal with the mongols?

[eadeater]

Right, well, I was assuming you were starting in the early ages, in which case you should have a while to go before the Golden Horde rears its ugly head, but if you didnt, or you took longer to fight the Spanish and Byzantines than expected (often happens if the crusaders are more persistent than they should be). The Mongols will appear in areas like Khazar and Georgia, and all those provinces around there, and it appears to me that no matter how many troops you put there just before they appear, they will just send more men . I think this is intentional though. Be prepared to lose several of these provinces to the Horde, and then just make sure you defend the provinces beneath Georgia, and let them have all the northern ones. Firstly, the Russians will fight them, secondly, if you haven't finished off the Byzantines, they will fight them, and if the Polish or Hungarians got a bit of a good deal off of the destruction of the Byzantines by you, and hold some of the Balkan areas, they will probably fight the Horde as well. This will allow you to gather some men very quickly (as by this point you should be a force to be reckoned with very seriously - especially if you developed your navy and got that trade going). None of the Mongol units are so great as to have a profound effect on a battle (in my opinion) and when attacking them, be sure to take plenty of cavalry and skirmishers as this is what they like to use - don't use infantry masses as they will take these to pieces - your force must be able to match them for mobility.

[Nowake]

OK then after I do all that, how do I deal with the mongols?

Just try to use Georgia as a stopping point, and masse there some 1.500 troops, consisting of spears, light cav and of course, arbalests. Then wear them down. You can do the same against the spanish btw