Following up ajaxfetish's point: the Horde will appear in Khazar (for sure) and neighbouring provinces (if they're occupied).

If you hold Khazar, think about leaving it and engineering a rebellion so it's not yours when the Horde arrive. That way they won't automatically be at war with you.

If you hold Georgia, think about moving all your troops out in 1230. This means (I believe) that the Horde won't appear there. Certainly I've done this a number of times and it's always worked. Then move back in 1231 and you'll see a huge stack of Mongols in Khazar but they'll be neutral, giving you more time to prepare.

They will attack you eventually, though (the GH seems programmed to go after the player faction even when there are easier-picking AI factions closer by ). If you can use the breathing space to tech up to Janissary Heavy Inf in Constantinople, do it. JHI will tear apart the Mongols (as with anything else, in fact...) Otherwise follow the advice above: good spears with as much armour as you can get (Saracens are good), good bows to tackle their HAs at a distance and some shockers - armoured Ghazis or even militia sergeants. A V2 (or V1, armour+1) MS will take out a V0 Mongol Heavy Cav, a better return than Ghazis. Armoured MS and a good general (for morale) in combo with Saracens and bows will give you a fighting chance. Just make sure you have lots in reserve...

Or use the (arguably cheesy) massed assassination strategy against Khan Ogadai; for quite a few years he'll have no heirs so topping him means bye-bye GH threat and hello piles of MHC for hire by your emissaries .

Finally - use the woods, and good luck!


Ulair