Quote Originally Posted by Azi Tohak
I sympathize. If the diplomatic model was what it could be, then I think you should be able to lure the HRE or England in. But I don't lose battles either. The AI is superior to RTW (no generals impailing themselves on 18' pikes here!), but I know how to work the system. I don't know about you, but I use the same strategy here as in STW. Take a province, let my foes break themselves on my defense. Then mop up.

As in: I retake Milan with a very good army of Italians. HRE counter attacks with 2600 targets (peasants and Urban Militia). I hold my ground with my Italian Infantry, Feudal Men at Arms, rout the infantry, butcher 2000.

However, but for my strong foreign policy, I would be toast. I started out taking the Balkans (still at war with the damned Hungarians), and now I am in the Levant (from a crusade), but I totally own Trade. Had the HRE attacked me early on... eww... that would have been ugly. Part of the fun of being the little guy right?

Azi
Hey Azi,

Couldnt agree more with the diplomatic model, you would think that England would be chomping at that bit to launch an attack into Flanders or Normandy given the circumstances. Like you I know how to work the AI as well from years of playing this game, still at harder levels I have close calls and have been defeated more then once.

France seems to love to try and out flank with thier cavalry units, problem is the AI rarely takes in any support units for them. Throw a spear unit into a few horse units and sit back with your ranged units and widdle them away.

Yeah you loose the spear unit, but they are cheap and certainly expendable. I like playing small kingdoms to see how long I can last, but in doing so it makes the diplomacy shortcomings glaring.

cheers