Is there really a purpose to Crusading when playing on World Conq. mode?

**Alexios** · 09-18-2006, 23:27

Sorry guys for the newbie question here, but I'm playing in the latter stages of an MTW campaign, and I can't help but wonder what purpose does Crusading really have when playing in World Conq. mode? In fact, I think I had a chance to Crusade only twice in this whole campaign; it didn't take long before I got to the point where, due to the size of my empire (I guess), everyone from the Pope on down to the Egyptians were trying to make war with me. Now it looks like I'm going to be in a constant state of excommunication, so I don't think Crusading will be an option for me even if I do find a purpose for it.

**gunslinger** · 09-19-2006, 03:05

Crusading still has a few advantages.

1. it gives your king influence. This has the minor benefit of improving your relations with other countries, and the major benefit of giving better stats to his progeny.

2. Crusading gives you free units that you otherwise couldn't get.

3. If planned properly, crusades can be marched through the territory of other Catholic factions, draining their troops along the way if they have high enough zeal (Precede your crusade with inquisitors to pump that zeal up)

4. I think I read that you don't have to pay upkeep on units that are in a "crusade stack" but I'm not sure about that one.

**Martok** · 09-19-2006, 05:21

Originally Posted by gunslinger

4. I think I read that you don't have to pay upkeep on units that are in a "crusade stack" but I'm not sure about that one.

You're spot on, gunslinger. All units in a Crusade/Jihad don't cost any upkeep. It's a very nice way to cut down on costs if you have a large army, while increasing your piety/influence at the same time.

**doc_bean** · 09-19-2006, 12:57

Also, you should use them early, they can be devastating in the early game.

Personally i prefer a Jihad myself

**Raz** · 09-19-2006, 14:46

I love just riding through Catholic provinces, stealing their troops and then make my way to distant lands..... right in the middle of some other faction's territory.

I then build up my army in that province and spread out through the world!
Mwha! Mwhahahahahaha!

**ciprianrusu** · 09-20-2006, 16:03

For me crusading is a great way at the beginning of the game of getting unique troops and conquering some territories, like those in the north-vest of Africa (Morocco , Algeria) for their resources..

**Fulliautomatix** · 09-28-2006, 21:55

I always liked sending crusades out just for the fun of it ... it is unpredictable, and I never know what the exact path will be (sometimes the game restricts your route to your objective, particularly if you have any fleets parallel to your path). Plus, you don't know the final composition of your armies until you arrive at your destination, or who you'll face along the way ....

MTW is great; but like any game, after a while playing it, the challenges and surprises become fewer. Crusades were, for me, a way of throwing some of that back in the game.

**Brother Mark** · 09-29-2006, 10:20

My problem with it was even if you sucesfully launched a Crusade to Palestine and recaptured the Holy Land all that happened was "You have captured Palestine" and "Your brave crusaders have reached their Church sanctioned objective."

Wow wee... we just liberated the Kingdom of Heaven and you get the same message as if you'd just conquered Finland. I wanted cheering and celebration and flockings of money and just something.... When playing Golden Achievements I'd have maybe got some points for it - except if I was playing a minor faction that the developers didn't give any awards to. Recapturing Jerusalem should be more significant.

**ciprianrusu** · 09-29-2006, 12:37

Originally Posted by Brother Mark

My problem with it was even if you sucesfully launched a Crusade to Palestine and recaptured the Holy Land all that happened was "You have captured Palestine" and "Your brave crusaders have reached their Church sanctioned objective."

Wow wee... we just liberated the Kingdom of Heaven and you get the same message as if you'd just conquered Finland. I wanted cheering and celebration and flockings of money and just something.... When playing Golden Achievements I'd have maybe got some points for it - except if I was playing a minor faction that the developers didn't give any awards to. Recapturing Jerusalem should be more significant.

I totaly agree. I was as surprised as you when i conquered Palestine. Someone should fix this problem.

**Brother Mark** · 09-29-2006, 14:11

Not really a problem with the game that can be fixed.

Hopefully MTW2 will give more importance to holding the Holy Land for Christendom.

**CrossLOPER** · 09-29-2006, 18:59

Originally Posted by Brother Mark

Wow wee... we just liberated the Kingdom of Heaven and you get the same message as if you'd just conquered Finland.

...but...but... FINLAND IS SO FULL OF AWESOME!!!!

Really, I guess the game designers just thought that that "CRUSADE SUCCESS" message you get if you captured the province was enough. Truth be told, it was enough for me the first time my first crusade succeeded.