How to get the Irish to expand?

[Faramir]

Hello -

I'm playing the Irish in XL and they are a lot of fun with some unique units and with limited cavalry require a change in my usual strategies.

Anyway, I have never seen them expand off their island when controlled by the AI. Has anyone else ever seen it happen? Also, does anyone have any ideas on how to get the AI Irish to expand? Maybe give them a ship or 2 to start with?

Being 1/2 Irish I would love to see the AI Irish dominating Europe, or at least invading England!

[Tony Furze]

Just checked to see its your first post-Welcome,Faramir!

Good that the Irish get a fair showing in XL-I ll be switching to it soon hopefully, if I can just win on Hard setting. I m playing the Irish in VI, attracted by the javelins.

Im particularly interested in the bonnachts.

[Martok]

Welcome to the Org, Faramir!

Unfortunately, I have never once seen the Irish expand in all the months that I've had XL. I suspect they're doubly-hampered in their ability to conquer: Not only are they an island, but they're also hemmed in by the English and the Scots.

I think you may be right in having the Irish start with a ship or two in the water right away. I know that playing as the Sicilians (who are one of the only other island factions), it really helps that they start with a couple of galleys in the water around their territory. I believe the Irish could similarly benefit, as this would allow them to immediately invade Britain and give them the edge they need.

[Vladimir]

Yes. But remember, they're Irish! Giving them a longboat to start with should help them.

[macsen rufus]

I'm on about my fourth XL campaign now, and the Irish always, but always, just sit on their island waiting for you to invade them... I've not tried giving them a boat, but sounds like it might be worth a try Or maybe increase the income a bit, cos they tend to look a bit cash-strapped, too.

And welcome to the org, Faramir

[caravel]

I'm on about my fourth XL campaign now, and the Irish always, but always, just sit on their island waiting for you to invade them... I've not tried giving them a boat, but sounds like it might be worth a try Or maybe increase the income a bit, cos they tend to look a bit cash-strapped, too.

And welcome to the org, Faramir

I think if we put any faction on an island (or indeed in any single province situation) without a huge supply of "invasion force" units, and some fleets to guarantee they can leave, the same would occur. The Hospitallers are often the same. I've noticed that they sometimes go for Nicaea and often fail, or just sit there and go into the red. As a rule with Island factions, they simply need more ships, otherwise they'll be stuck there. It's a pity that reemerging factions can't sometimes reemerge with ships also...

I've an Irish campaign going at the moment, and am occupying the former English lands, except Aquitaine, as well as Scotland and Wales. Basically I began by training Fianna Eireann and Gael Gaedhils backed up with some Irish Horsemen and Bonnachts and went straight for Northumbria. Why did he go for Northumbria you ask? Well That seems to be their best trading province and is also the border with Scotland. My presence there prevents either power from expanding into the other's territory and provides me with some useful trade income, denying it to the English. Next up Wales revolted form the English, so I moved in there, followed by quick invasions of Mercia and Wessex. After this I secured the British Isles by Conquering Scotland while sinking all of the English shipping in the channel. The next stage was to hit Normandy which proved to be far more difficult than I had anticipated and my men were sent packing by a 7 star general's army of Fyrdmen and Royal Knights. The second attempt proved much more successful due to my taking along some more of my own spears, which I had lacked on the previous attempt. Utilising the Gael Gaedhils as flankers I managed to secure Normandy from the enemy, but was driven out again the following year! A counter attack featuring all of the usual suspects retook the province and wiped out the faction. The following year we moved into Anjou and that's how it stands now. The French have refused alliance so far, and I'm rather wary of them, though if the do attack I may turn my attentions to Scandinavia and leave France to the French.