Hard game

[caravel]

Crusades are usually alot of fragmented units such as peasants and UM and a few Order Foot Soldiers and maybe Order Knights, plus alot of slav warriors and javelins that they pick up on their journey east. They rarely pose much of a threat and can be regarded as "training". In one memorable campaign as the Turks I defeated 2 french crusades that were sent at Constantinople and watched the french desintegrate into civil war. The following year an Italian and German crusade were declared and they too were sent home. Crusades are not as dangerous as people assume. It looks bad having that huge army und the cross heading towards you, but when you actually face them they're not much of a threat, especially in the desert.

[Ciaran]

I didn´t know, I´ve only played with Catholics so far (I love the clanking sound of my marching army ;) ). I though Crusades were more of a challenge when you´re on the receiving end, what with the high-morale, heavily armoured Order Knights and foot soldiers.

[MuseRulez]

It looks bad having that huge army und the cross heading towards you, but when you actually face them they're not much of a threat, especially in the desert.

True, the AI doesn't handle crusades very good. In most mods it's a little beter because the AI builds less low-level junk units like peasants or militia. Personally I don't use crusades very much, just for GA points. Most of the time I just make some huge stacks and kill everything in my path , not very efficient but alot of fun

[Ironside]

Haven't lost one in years, except when shifting factions for fun. Some factions does require speciffic openings though.

[gaijinalways]

The beginning for any faction is crucial. Suggest playing the English first, as they are easier and you can set yourself up and expand into the French territory. Also, are you having difficulty running your economy, or with battles, deciding what is most useful to build (which will affect your economy and troop building)? There are many threads here to help you with all these issues, take heart, I haven't played recently, but I haven't won with all the factions (finished only the English, French, Spanish, and the Byzantines if memory serves me right). I remember trying the Turks several times, got my head handed to me a few times. Also remember trying the Germans once, ouch, tough going.

[Cowhead418]

I have only lost once as the English. I foolishly invaded Wales with my King and both his heirs. I had decided to charge up the hill with all my cavalry, which proceeded to be shot down by the Longbowmen. After the battle I saw that both my heirs had been slain, and a few years later my king died of natural causes, causing me to lose my campaign.

However, there have been several campaigns I have given up on relatively early where I had failed to establish a solid position and was next to an enemy much stronger than me. These occur mainly with the one province factions. But I have also had a failed XL German campaign. That was quite a challenge - surrounded by seven hostile factions.

[Ciaran]

[...] But I have also had a failed XL German campaign. That was quite a challenge - surrounded by seven hostile factions.

Yes, that´s a real tough one. Too much land to be considered small (and therefore an acceptable ally), low loyalty in most of the provinces, bad infrastructure, no chance at all to build up a navy and a couple of greedy factions at the doorstep. It took me three tries for one to sucessfully last beyond the first fifty years, and that only because I got extremely lucky with the French suffering a civil war AND capturing Genoa in a do-or-die attempt.

[Vladimir]

How do you loose MTW? I suppose if you let your royal line die off it could happen (to me once). This game’s real simple; just remember MTW isn’t RTW and you’ll win half your battles. When I first started playing I tried taking spearmen against AUMs then I discovered Jinettes. I haven’t lost with the Spanish yet! This game’s real easy. Just use your head, tactics, and develop your infrastructure. The more hilly maps might be a problem attacking but even on flat terrain I can normally beat 4-1 odds defending. Loose this game? If I did, I’d have to order another copy.

Yes, that´s a real tough one. Too much land to be considered small (and therefore an acceptable ally), low loyalty in most of the provinces, bad infrastructure, no chance at all to build up a navy and a couple of greedy factions at the doorstep. It took me three tries for one to sucessfully last beyond the first fifty years, and that only because I got extremely lucky with the French suffering a civil war AND capturing Genoa in a do-or-die attempt.

Worst thing about the HRE is the micromanagement in XL. More provences means slower deployments. The thing I've found playing them (or the English) is to take out the French Royal line fast! Eliminating single provence factions and using the iron and hills to your advantage is a must too.