Faction eliminated!

**NodachiSam** · 04-30-2006, 05:59

I really have to congratulate you, especially since you did it with the northumbrians in the first place. I guess I just don't play them to their strengths.

I remember trying to shake up the Vikings and I know it is hard.

**Ironside** · 04-30-2006, 07:47

Originally Posted by NodachiSam

I really have to congratulate you, especially since you did it with the Picts in the first place. I guess I just don't play them to their strengths.

I remember trying to shake up the Vikings and I know it is hard.

IIRC blitz the Scots and advance from that.

For the Northumbrians, you'll need to attack the Mercians first, as a war with the Picts will be slow and the Mercians will gain too much strength during that time.

**macsen rufus** · 05-01-2006, 11:18

I managed it once with the Welsh - pretty much the same process. Having beaten the Vikings out of Britain, a pretty poor (as in cr*p and as in skint!)Viking king sat in Norway and a single unit garrison in Denmark. I had a decent spy in Denmark, so the province rebelled quite easily. Rebels cheap to bribe -- I say cheap, but as I had all of Britain and Ireland for my economic powerhouse I could afford anything they asked... I kept a high-dread title scroll ready for the bribed general, and pretty sure I had a top-notch bishop there for a while, too. I had enough loyalty to prevent a rebellion, anyhow. Finally, with the facilities in Denmark I could build some ships to reach Norway, and an army to kill off the king. Very satisfying total victory that one....

**caravel** · 05-01-2006, 22:39

Which difficulty level was that on? It's not an easy feat, and of all the VI factions I've always found the Picts the most difficult. I've done 100%, playing hard difficulty, including scandinavia as every faction except the picts of which I've never managed to finish the campaign with. Seeing this has made me want to try the picts again!

The problem with VI is keeping down the Mercian supremacy that is inevitable, the other issue is that the vikings are pretty useless when AI controlled and never pose a threat. I usually convert them to christianity early on and then plant high valour spies (max starting valour spies possible very early in VI) in their provinces to cause endless revolts until they're wiped out by the rebels. Then I bribe the rebels and take control.

Also the Vikings cannot be assassinated out of the game, they are like the HRE or pope in MTW, a new leader is always elected.

**NodachiSam** · 05-01-2006, 23:00

That is what happened to me. As the picts I took over the north and the Mercians took all the south and flooded me with bloody huscarls. . First game too. ( I should play VI, I've only played it twice surprisingly.) Someone said Beserkers are good against armour so that'll be the plan. However I bet 12 units of beserkers won't stand against 12 of huscarls numerically even if they qualitatively are superior.

**Peasant Phill** · 05-02-2006, 08:30

Originally Posted by NodachiSam

Someone said Beserkers are good against armour so that'll be the plan. However I bet 12 units of beserkers won't stand against 12 of huscarls numerically even if they qualitatively are superior.

Beserkers aren't good against armour. They don't have an AP bonus and as good and cool beserkers might be they'll lose against huscarles. Only when they're all valoured up (which they achieve a lot faster than huscarles) can they stand a chance and even then I have my doubts.

Best bet as the picts against huscarles: the (mounted) crossbow and if you can hire them bonnachts, dartmen, Welsh bandits and the likes. Huscarles are in trouble against armour piercing skirmishers. Let them run themselves tired chasing you while pestering them with AP missiles and end off with flanking them with some good cavalry or a good AP infantry unit.

**caravel** · 05-02-2006, 08:50

The biggest problem with the VI campaign is the Mercians who have by far the greatest advantage. Unless you're in the position to take them out early on then you'll find it very hard going later. IIRC Berserkers don't melee as well as Huscarles either, they're also unarmoured of course which does pretty much guarantee the Huscarles will always win, despite the Besekers' attack, charge, morale etc.

**Ludens** · 05-03-2006, 17:45

Originally Posted by Peasant Phill

Best bet as the picts against huscarles: the (mounted) crossbow and if you can hire them bonnachts, dartmen, Welsh bandits and the likes. Huscarles are in trouble against armour piercing skirmishers. Let them run themselves tired chasing you while pestering them with AP missiles and end off with flanking them with some good cavalry or a good AP infantry unit.

I would stay away from dartmen if you want mercs against huscarles: though they carry more bolts than ordinary javelinmen they aren't AP. Otherwise, you are right. Lure them with a missile unit and then get a few volleys of javelins in their back. Also tire them out before engaging: Huscarles aren't so though anymore after chasing skirmishers all over the field.

**Vladimir** · 05-02-2006, 21:20

Originally Posted by Caravellini

Which difficulty level was that on? It's not an easy feat, and of all the VI factions I've always found the Picts the most difficult. I've done 100%, playing hard difficulty, including scandinavia as every faction except the picts of which I've never managed to finish the campaign with. Seeing this has made me want to try the picts again!

The Picts are one of the easiest. If you’re smart with finances you can easily consolidate the north by rushing the Scots. You have at least two decent shipbuilding sites. You have 100 man infantry units, crossbowmen AND mounted crossbowmen. Archers are rarely used in VI so you can use those AP bolts to rip apart those Huscarls, then have your Celts attack the spears, while your berserkers flank, and your mounted X-bow men hit them in the rear and capture routers. It’s a real no brainier once you get your finances under control and a full unit roster. Thank God for those hills! To me it’s the best faction in VI.

**caravel** · 05-02-2006, 23:57

I'll give the picts another go I think. I've always found the Welsh easier to get on with myself, but to be honest I've only attempted the picts about twice anyway. I probably need to make more effort. I'm not one for rushing factions early on, so it may be that my failure to rush the scots of the map and unite pictland is the main cause. Also I've never been too big a fan of mounted crossbows either (though I do know their strengths).

**Vladimir** · 05-03-2006, 13:01

Originally Posted by Caravellini

I'll give the picts another go I think. I've always found the Welsh easier to get on with myself, but to be honest I've only attempted the picts about twice anyway. I probably need to make more effort. I'm not one for rushing factions early on, so it may be that my failure to rush the scots of the map and unite pictland is the main cause. Also I've never been too big a fan of mounted crossbows either (though I do know their strengths).

Just remember weapon/counter weapon and you'll be fine. With only a few units in a battle, a single unit advantage can make all the difference. I used to be insecure about entering battle with less than 16 units, now that's the max I use. It's all about confidence and confidence comes with experience!