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

**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..

**CrossLOPER** · 09-20-2006, 16:50

Originally Posted by ciprianrusu

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..

I'd actually rather stay as far away as possible from anything the Spainish might want. Althought I find that it's fully possible to stick a large, weak, hard-to-control, and economically draining army in the middle of an underdeveloped province and hold it, I'd rather build up the main part of my empire before spreading out.

I like the challenge, though...

**Matador** · 09-26-2006, 01:41

I would say the best advantage to crusades is some of the units you get (order foot soldiers, knights hospiteller, etc.) However I have heard that if your crusade fails then you will actually lose influence. I don't know for sure though because I usally get excommunicated pretty quick so then I have to crush the papacy.

**Arciel** · 09-28-2006, 07:02

Frankly speaking, I can't seem to really like crusades, whether I launched or it was launched at me. Grabbing hold of a territory in the early game via a crusade puts me in an unwanted war against the AI. Even if I do manage to take the territory, I won't be able to hold it for long. Oh and the fact that having a failed crusade loses your king an influence point and might also possibly lead to civil war doesn't maki it any better...(if it happened to a hostile country, then it is a heavenly gift indeed)

**wizardrj** · 09-28-2006, 11:39

Sorry, but I have to disagree !

Crusades is the best way to expand your empire, build up influence and stay on friendly terms with your neighbours. Ohh and did I mention the nice troops you can get your hands on ;-)

Crusades are at their most deadly in Early campaigns, due to the Chivalric-like crusaderknights, combined with Order-foot they rule in the early world.

Crusades are also the only option of you play a faction with no easy rebel neighbours to attack.

So for France, HRE, Italy, Sicily, and the like, Crusades can get you an empire without straining relations with your powerfull neighbours.

And often more important, you wont get the pope to excom. you !!!
Sometimes he even gives you a great big pile of cash !!!!