Almohads Hi's & Low's - Help

[Legorreto]

Hello to every one in the Forum.

I have just started a capaing as the Almohads on Easy Level. I haven't had a great start though, so I am asking for some suggestions and information on the high's and low's of this faction such as: units, land, commerce, buildings, and so.

Although I have read the manual and the several information posted on this Forum I seem to have a bit of problem getting around, specially with the Spanish which seems will be my toughest enemy so far.

Whatever help you can provide will be well appreciated.

Greetings from Cancun, México!

[Graphic]

Mexican, eh? I bet you picked Spain's chiefest enemy on purpose, didn't you? haha.

Anyway, three words for you: Spam Urban Militias. They are cheap and effective. You need a castle and a second level militia building, forgot what it's called exactly. I would also make Ghulam Cavalry in North Africa to support them.

[ichi]

There is a good guide to the Almos in the MTW Guides forum, I'll just add a few things.

Almohad Urban Militia, your best infantry.

I also use lots of camels as the Almohads.

Build up a good navy in the Mediterranean and keep the peace with everybody except the Spanish and Egyptians. Take the islands as opportunity arises.

Work your way into Spain and then march east across Africa. Egypt can be a productive province.

You'll probably have to deal with a few crusades, so keep a strong defensive presence in Morocco or Southern Spain.

ichi

[Mount Suribachi]

To clarify what Graphic said, you need to build lots and lots of Almohad Urban Militia - not ordinary Urban Militia, Almohad Urban Militia. They are amongst the best sword units in Early, and they're easily atainable. Build them in Granada for +1 Valour

The lows of the Elmos? Lack of a decent Spear unit, and you don't get any nice units in High and Late, so you will find yourself being increasingly out-teched as the game progresses.

Oh, and try and bribe El Cid as early as you can to get a top notch general, then conquer the rest of the Iberian Peninsula. The Navarre/Aragon chokepoint in the North is an excellent point to pause for breath whilst you focus on building up your infrastructure.

[Lars Jorgensun]

After taking Spain, make sure to build castles, metalsmiths and armouries in every province that has good steel production. Make sure your Muwahid Spearmen are upgraded with armour. They don't have the high numbers of other spear units so they need all the help they can get. Lot's of Almohad Urban Milita's. I mean Lots. They can take most cavalry charges in Early, and even some cavalry in high. Give them some upgraded weapons, be aggressive and watch northern Europe be converted to Islam. Also lot's of Desert Archers, and Sahaaran Cavalry. The Desert Archers bows have better range and more penetration than other archer types, and saharaan cavalry are good for taking out archers and mopping up routed units.

[Graphic]

To clarify what Graphic said, you need to build lots and lots of Almohad Urban Militia - not ordinary Urban Militia, Almohad Urban Militia.

Ah, yes, thank you.

[Ludens]

Almohads are easy in early, but they get progressively weaker as time wears on. This is because they hardly get any new units. Their basic line-up consists mainly of light troops, but they are good light troops. They also have one of the most powerful units in early: Almohad Urban Militia. Add to this berber Camels, which are an anti-cav unit that is perfect for killing Jinnetes and Faris, decent if not particulary good or strong horse archers, and you have a good line-up for a general that prefers skirmishing to brute force, but can still rely on a core of powerful AUM's.

The key to Almohad dominance is aggresion. Time is not on your side: while the other factions get more powerful units, you only recieve arbalesters and gunpowder troops. Firstly conquer Spain: the iron provides you with better troops (though extra armour is what you really need once you leave the desert). While Navarra and Aragon are not vital to this strategy, the provide a good defensive perimeter and denying the iron to your enemies is always good. If conquering them is not to your political advantage, then you can leave them alone but make sure you get Valencia (by bribing El Cid, for preference) and Castille. Leave Portugal for last: they are very rebellious and will be a drain on your manpower.

After you have secured the penninsula you can start working on a mighty fleet or go east and conquer Egypt (preferably both). Now you have both the troop production facilites (Castille & Leon) and the money (Egypt) to build a truly mighty army and show the world the power of Allah.

If the Almohads have a weak spot (apart from their limited unit roster), it is their royal line. They are pretty decent to start out with, but quickly get ridled with vices. They also get only three general-heroes. Bribing El Cid is therefor a good tactic, as it provides you with a powerful general that can do your royal lines dirty work for them.

[dgfred]

Good advice Ludens and welcome to the forums Legorreto .

[Eternal Champion]

Nubian spearmen are your friends as they have good stats and are disciplined. They are basically feudal sergeants with less armor and will serve you well, just keep giving them as much armor upgrades as you can. That advice really applies to all their units, just keep upgrading as much as you can and they will serve you well as they start out pretty decent. Basically your lineup is better then most in early, average in high, and below average in late, this is based on base units. Build your units with region bonuses and then wash them through your iron provinces for weapon and armor upgrades. This will keep you up with the Jone's.

The downside to some is that there are no "new" units to look forward to, as what you got is what you get. This can actually be a good thing as it simplifies your unit production and requires much less tech and what you start with is pretty decent. Remember just because a unit doesn't have an AP bonus doesn't mean it can't kill high armor units, attack plus AP bonus equals total attack and a high number is all that counts. I had great fun playing Almos for my first foray on hard setting and reached 100% before the late period even began and wasn't pushing it.

[English assassin]

No one mentioned the Murath...(sp?) infantry yet.

Its so easy its cheesy but a line of AUM followed by a line of these little javelin chucking beauties will eat almost anything. Let the AUM walk into the enemy battle line to hold it in place and bring the Murathingies up behind and let rip. You take a few casualties from friendly fire but the enemy's army will evaporate.

Back Nubian spearmen with Murathingies for a formation that will destroy any cavalry.

Its a while since I started an Almo campaign but I seem to remember spamming out AUM from Grenada ASAP was key. Also nothing matters early on except eating the Spanish: there can only be one ruler in Iberia and it has to be you. Once you've got the whole of the peninsula (leaving Portugal if you like) IMHO you have about the best small scale position in the game.

[Yoyoma1910]

I don't know what else to add about military units... M-Javs, AUM, and Nubs are awesome in early, so strike quick maybe.


I would also like to remind you that you have alot of Gold to mine. And a couple pretty decent traders, especially if you take Egypt. The Byz will be warring with the other Muslim factions, most likely, so if you want to head east they aren't a bad ally/trade partner to have. And they don't crusade.

[Legorreto]

Guys, thanks a lot (I also mean A LOT) for your help and counseling. I promise to make the best campaing using this tips and soonly I will be informing you of my progress.

Thanks to all who have helped and thanks for the welcoming. I am honored to be part of the Guild as well!

Thanks... and Merry XMas to all!