Getting tiny factions off the ground

[Martok]

As mfberg said, it would probably help if you could tell us which faction you're playing with (or thinking of trying out). Aside from agreeing with my fellow compatriates here that early and agressive expansion is usually a must for small factions, specific strategies really vary on which nation you are.

Which faction or factions interests you in particular? Scotland, Lithiuania, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Ireland, Sicily, Armenia, etc.....it really all depends on which one(s) you're talking about. If you could be a little more specific, hlawrenc, we can probably help you more than just giving out vague advice.

[Third spearman from the left]

I just thought I'd add that I agree with all over the above and that bribing a rebel very early on can be an excellent move.

In my current game as the scots (high XL Expert) I bribed the rebels in norway on turn one before spending anything on upgrades or troops. On the third or fourth turn I invaded Northumbria (english) after they started a war with the french.

I made peace two turns later. Since then I've invested heavily in ships to boost trade. I now have a ship in each sea square and have a treasury of over 90,000.

I have only about 8 provinces but I've avoided major wars by taking rebel lands and building them up quickly. I've now started to build a major army and the english are my next target.

[ajaxfetish]

Although the hardest to play, the tiny factions are also the most exciting and interesting to play, with the highest risk of failure. I think the method depends a lot on who is around them. For example, my first successful experience as the Aragonese I went straight to the offensive and took out Spain within the first few turns, then used the same strategy I would as the Spanish.

As the Armenians, however, I was surrounded by three factions each too powerful for me to take on alone. Instead I bided my time, teched up my units, and started a savings account, and when they went to war with each other I'd join in and snatch a province or two, then build up some more and wait for my next opportunity. There were some very hairy moments and it took a long time for me to feel secure in my troops and ability to defend myself, but it was a great ride.

Each faction is different, though in most cases the early strike is probably your best bet. Don't wait for your economic disadvantage to get too magnified.

Ajax

[Vladimir]

As the Armenians, however, I was surrounded by three factions each too powerful for me to take on alone. Instead I bided my time, teched up my units, and started a savings account, and when they went to war with each other I'd join in and snatch a province or two, then build up some more and wait for my next opportunity. There were some very hairy moments and it took a long time for me to feel secure in my troops and ability to defend myself, but it was a great ride.

Ajax

I disagree with this. When playing Armenia in Early I went on a ransom war against the Egyptians. It took a while to get enough units built to where I thought I could stand a decent chance I attacked as soon as I could. Having no trade resources I built up some low level farms and that nice 100 man strong AP infantry.

I missed the Sultan but I was able to ransom back a large number of troops. The extra income from the southern providences was nice but I couldn't hold them easily early on. Thankfully the Turks held off attacking until I had wrested the momentum from the Egyptians. The Turks didn't offer much of a challenge as the Byzantines were at war with them as well.

You have to be mindful of what land you take. Always target the most profitable and only build defenses until you dominate the region. After the Turk menace was over I conquered Egypt and took on the Elmos. The fighting in West Africa was interesting because of the light, aggressively oriented armies I faced. Quite often when I attacked I was on the defense. This worked out quite well and the Naphtha crews earned their pay.

I knew victory was assured after I conquered Morocco and was recognized as the faction with the highest income. This all took a while and I wanted for the horde to show up before I took on Byzantium. They had already expanded into the steps and therefore war was imminent. Now the de jure Eastern Roman Empire is the de facto Holy Roman Empire and they're being squeezed into England.

I've managed to groom my heirs quite nicely and have many good generals. For some reason the green_generals command doesn't seem to be working since I upgraded to XP.

I've played with the Irish too but the Armenians were the best: Sandwiched between three superpowers, low on cash and short on luck. The best thing I like about them is that they have a catholic navy.

[hlawrenc]

I disagree with this. When playing Armenia in Early I went on a ransom war against the Egyptians. It took a while to get enough units built to where I thought I could stand a decent chance I attacked as soon as I could. Having no trade resources I built up some low level farms and that nice 100 man strong AP infantry.

I've played with the Irish too but the Armenians were the best: Sandwiched between three superpowers, low on cash and short on luck. The best thing I like about them is that they have a catholic navy.

I agree the Armenians are interesting especially their infantry, Armenian Heavy Cav, good archers. Curious in your very early years did you go ahead and take Georgia from the rebels while watching the Turks and Byzantines go at it? Access to nomad archers, Alan Lt Cav, and Steepe hvy cav are appealing as well in BKB mod. Will have to try the "chase the sultan" tactic and hope that the Turks leave me alone. I know recently in an aborted Turk campaign I made the mistake of hitting the Armenians very early in the game (like in the first 3 moves) to get them out of my backyard before I went after the Byzantines and they handed me my head on a platter! Have a lot of respect for their army just hate their location. Will have to give that at try, thanks

[phred]

It's been a while but I remember having a fun time with the Crusader States on High (XL mod). IIRC there's no infrastructure when you start and you have to build a couple of buildings before you can even train any troops. I seem to remember having to balance hiring mercenaries, building economic infrastucture, building military buildings and training units while fighting off the Egyptians (who attack early).
A nice challenge and lots of fun.

[Vladimir]

I agree the Armenians are interesting especially their infantry, Armenian Heavy Cav, good archers. Curious in your very early years did you go ahead and take Georgia from the rebels while watching the Turks and Byzantines go at it? Access to nomad archers, Alan Lt Cav, and Steepe hvy cav are appealing as well in BKB mod. Will have to try the "chase the sultan" tactic and hope that the Turks leave me alone. I know recently in an aborted Turk campaign I made the mistake of hitting the Armenians very early in the game (like in the first 3 moves) to get them out of my backyard before I went after the Byzantines and they handed me my head on a platter! Have a lot of respect for their army just hate their location. Will have to give that at try, thanks

I was using XL so I'm not familiar with what you're talking about.

It's been a while but I remember having a fun time with the Crusader States on High (XL mod).

I'll have to try out these guys.

[Banquo's Ghost]

I was using XL so I'm not familiar with what you're talking about.

You'll find the Armenians in XL surrounded by the Byzantines and Turks in the Levant. They're a one province 'tiny' faction.

[hlawrenc]

[QUOTE=Vladimir]I was using XL so I'm not familiar with what you're talking about.



My mistake, in BKB Armenians hold Armenia so they are next door to Georgia, but have Turks between them and the Egyptians at least initially, forgot that in XL they are in lesser Armenia to start and next to the Egyptians so my question about hitting Georgia would not initally work in XL, but I see how you can beat up on the Egyptians in XL off the bat.

In BKB they have Byz and Turks surrounding them except for Georgia which is rebel and in BKB Georgia can raise Alan Mercs, Steepe Heavy Cav as well as nomad archers after some build up and because the Armenians are in Armenia they are landlocked. They are definitely a faction that have interesting potential in BKB as well, but their start position combined with the factions surrounding them make them difficult at least for me to get off the ground.