Ouch! Help with huscarles

[Kralizec]

Why doesn't anyone mention the armoured spearmen? Pin, then throw javelins in the enemy's backs. AS aren't an uber unit so you should work quickly, but I'd be surprised if gallowglasses lasted longer

[caravel]

Why doesn't anyone mention the armoured spearmen? Pin, then throw javelins in the enemy's backs. AS aren't an uber unit so you should work quickly, but I'd be surprised if gallowglasses lasted longer

You're right, I've used that tactic in the past. It's a long time since I've played a VI campaign. It is a viable tactic and you're far better off pinning with AS and flanking with Gallowglasses.

[naut]

Why doesn't anyone mention the armoured spearmen? Pin, then throw javelins in the enemy's backs. AS aren't an uber unit so you should work quickly, but I'd be surprised if gallowglasses lasted longer

True.

[Tony Furze]

Well I ve started again.

The united Ireland part is easy enough- capturing all the provinces of the main Island. I ve also managed to get some 5 star gens to boot by bribery.

Last time I did a poor job of invading the mainland of Britain-I invaded several places at once.

Also, making money with what I have is not too hard. Its the invasion that has to be planned...

[caravel]

You need to achieve naval superiority and invade southern England first with your entire force, leaving only peasant garrisons in Ireland (fleets of longboats protecting your coasts). If you don't do this, and start sparring with the Picts or Scots in the north, or messing about in Wales, then either the Mercians, Saxons, or even the Northumbrians (though they're not usually as much of a problem) will probably conquer up to the Scottish borders and meet you there with several stacks made up of a good proportion of Huscarles. You will then have the unenviable task of fighting your way through that lot from north to south, probably losing alot and suffering many revolts and reappearances of the Scots and Picts in the North.

Train about 12 bishops at the start of the game and send 6 to Hordaland and 6 to Jutland and leave them there. If they get assassinated replace them. These are likely to be the only Bishops you'll need. When you have high valour spies you can send them there also. If the provinces rebel continuously, with your spies help, the Vikings may eventually lose and get eliminated. Send in your emissary, bribe the rebels, train peasant garrisons, and build any happy buildings to maintain loyalty and disband those units you bribed. Two extra provinces, albeit cut off provinces, and one less Huscarle producing pain in the rear.

You should only invade Great Britain when your economy can support it. It is very important to tech up to longboats and secure your coasts first, then expand your shipping to form a trade network. Once you're even moderately strong at sea and can produce ships from all of your provinces you should ruthlessly attack the Viking longboats and sink them all, alliance or not. This will serve to paralyse them and stop their raiding.

Don't invade from the south west coast, particularly Cornwall (West Wales). Instead take the route of William the Bastard of Normandy and land in the south east, spreading out quickly and taking Wessex. Invading via Cornwall may throw you into war with the Welsh and it is also easy for the AI to defend that choke point.

It is a good idea to ally with the weaker southern English faction, usually the Saxons, though not always and assist them with attacking the Mercians if the opportunity arises (it may not). Never let either of them get too strong.

Leave the Scots, Picts and Northumbrians until last. It is doubtful if the Northumbrians will make much headway against the Scots and Picts. Once you've conquered up to the borders your enconomic and military strength will be enough to deal with them easily. The Welsh should be absorbed directly after you've dealt with the Saxons or Mercians.

[Tony Furze]

Great guide/advice for my 100th post,Manco Capac!

You ve put some structure to what I was gradually beginning to work out-deal with the Vikings somehow. I d tried an alliance which they ve refused.

I was already working out (during afternoon tuitions) that Id need to secure the coast.

The invasion advice is great, as well as the bishops idea.

Looking at the Irish rosta, it ll require some skill to win battles since they ve no good cav and long range missiles.
I ve already seen my kerns beaten up by a bunch of armoured spear rebels in Munster.

Thanks so vey much.

[Biggus Diccus]

Looking at the Irish rosta, it ll require some skill to win battles since they ve no good cav and long range missiles. I ve already seen my kerns beaten up by a bunch of armoured spear rebels in Munster.

If you are desperate for archers just build a couple of inns and recruit them as mercenaries. If you build a Horse Breeder you can recruit 2 valor Horsemen, which are just as good as 0 valor Mounted Nobles/Royal Bodyguards. Remeber that Kerns/Bonnachts have very low defense, so try to flank and throw your spears before melee. And Kerns/Bonnachts/Gallowglasses have all 0 morale, so give them some morale upgrades.

It's been a while since I played the Irish in VI now, but I think I based my armies on Armored Spearmen, merc Archers and the occasional merc Crossbow/Mounted Crossbow, Gallowglasses/Bonnachts/Horsemen for flanking and Kerns for skirmishing/flanking.

[caravel]

You ve put some structure to what I was gradually beginning to work out-deal with the Vikings somehow. I d tried an alliance which they ve refused.

I wouldn't lose any sleep over alliances. They're rarely worth the effort. Accept any alliance that's thrown at you, unless you intend to go to war with that faction soon. Breaking alliances lowers your faction leaders influence so isn't good. If an enemy wishes to ally with you, accept it as they will probably break alliance again. If you wish to break an alliance cleanly before going to war, first try to ally with that faction's enemy. Then the alliance will be finished.

I was already working out (during afternoon tuitions) that Id need to secure the coast.

The Irish have the advantage of an isolated territory, like the Vikings, that can be protected (except the vikings don't need to protect their's as you can't get there) by fleets. Allowing your faction a stronger position and considerably more security. This is why the Irish are classified as an easy faction.

The invasion advice is great, as well as the bishops idea.

The Bishops will convert the population to Christianity, and if they don't cause a revolt or two they should cause the Viking leader himself to convert, putting an end to the raiding.

Looking at the Irish rosta, it ll require some skill to win battles since they ve no good cav and long range missiles.
I ve already seen my kerns beaten up by a bunch of armoured spear rebels in Munster.

Well the javelins are much more affective against huscarles than ordinary bows, due to their armour piercing ability, it just takes a bit of getting used to. Kerns are simply skirmishers, they'll probably always lose against Fyrdmen and Armoured Spearmen in melee.

Thanks so vey much.

[Tony Furze]

Well I dominated the seas and got together a reasonably good and affordable army.

I wasn t able to attack the SE coast as the AI (having, no doubt , read these posts) didn t put any ports all around that side.

So I waited...and waited. Still no ports.

I took the plunge and invaded some little islands way up north held by rebels. Going south into Scotland was easy...I trumped the Picts, my archenemies.

The Saxons had gone , and the Vikings were neutralised by those bishops and my ships.

Then my economy began to teeter. When I finally attacked the Mercians, I was well in the red and the Mercians blockaded my ports paralysing what little trade I did have.

At that I knew I wouldnt be able to revive the economy and gave up.