Seleucid Problems

[Wardruid]

I decided to do another campaign with my favorite faction. Now the only thing I hate about the Seleucid Imperial campaign is that almost all my neighbors want a piece of me.


I can handle multiple battle fronts, but it hurts my economy because I to focus on training and retraning troops.

Do you guys have any suggestions?
And who should I focus on first? The Egyptian and their chariots or the Persian factions and their HA's and Cataphracts?

Thanks

[Dutch_guy]

Do you guys have any suggestions?
And who should I focus on first? The Egyptian and their chariots or the Persian factions and their HA's and Cataphracts?

Thanks

Well build forts in the mountain passes which separate you from Pontus and to a lesser extend Armenia. Then focus all of your military might on Egypt, blitz the nile cities (exterminate them for some quick cash) as soon as you can - consider landing a quite strong naval force near Alexandria, works every time.

Besides, I've never seen the Parthians live long enough to start producing Cata's on there own...

So focus on Egypt first, then attack Pontus or Parthia (depending on which one bothers you more)

Once you've taken Egypt, the world is yours

[Nelson]

Yup, what Dutch said. Hold the other fronts until you take Egypt. Then develop your ports and the let the money flow in. Before long you can build balanced armies that have no significant weaknesses.

The world will be your oyster.

[Conqueror]

In the beginning spy the Parthian city to the east of Seleucia. They usually march most of the garrison out to the deserts. Have your army close to the border and wait for an opportunity. If you time your attack right, you'll be able to assault the city when their army is still a turn's move away and can't relieve the seige. Exterminate or enslave the population (enslavement could be used to boost Antioch toward the next city size) and destroy all the buildings. Then abandon the city save for a minimal garrison. Even if the Parthians retake it, they won't be able to use that city for anything useful for a long time to come.

Then go on full defensive in north & east while you focus on your southern offensive against the egyptians.

[GeneralHankerchief]

Generally you should go for the richer enemies first when playing as the Seleucids. That means Egypt, Pontus, then Parthia/Armenia in that order. It's just a lucky coincidence that this is the same order of threat they pose to you.

Once the Nile and Turkey are yours, it doesn't matter how teched up Parthia and Armenia are, your wealth will always beat them. From there, it's onto Greece, then Rome!

[phred]

Besides, I've never seen the Parthians live long enough to start producing Cata's on there own...

Playing the Seleucids I attacked that Parthian city east of Seleucia on the second turn or so and a few turns later Parthia showed up with 5 slingers and two units of cataphracts and completely destroyed my eastern army. They must start with a couple of cataphracts (or maybe they hired them as mercenaries).

I was playing the version with the Alexander expansion (1.9?)

[Wardruid]

Playing the Seleucids I attacked that Parthian city east of Seleucia on the second turn or so and a few turns later Parthia showed up with 5 slingers and two units of cataphracts and completely destroyed my eastern army. They must start with a couple of cataphracts (or maybe they hired them as mercenaries).

There are no Cataphract mercs even in Alexander
The Parthians start out with two Cataphract units, While the Armenians have one I think. They're a complete pain especially when the got HA's with them
Parthians have a nasty habit of sending those things at me, specifically on Seleucia. They almost ALWAYS do that.

I did what you said Dutch,
It's working pretty well, the forts are holding and I'm starting to build triremes to send to Alexandria

(Thanx to everyone else who posted)

The Parthian king, both of their Cata units, 3 HA's and a whole load of eastern troops tried to take Susa back on the north.

I managed to kill the king, I think I have just enough to bribe the Catas and what's left of the HA's (No easterns left)
I saved with my diplomat talking to them. Should I try the bribe?