Early XL Cuman Expert Campaign

**Digital** · 03-06-2007, 22:29

I just started the XL Mod Cuman Early Expert campaign. I notice that the Cuman has no armour piercing troops, besides Woodmen. It also does not have swordmen. I hope it is for the early part of the game and as I teched up, I'll get to build them eventually. Their strength lies in the Cuman heavy cavalry, Spearman which can throw javalins and Cuman warrior archers. You get a bonus for Cuman heavy cavalry if you build them in Levida. Someone please prove me wrong in that the Cuman can build swordman and good axe wielding armour piercing troops. Below is a map of my campaign. The Polish is destroyed by me. I am presently at war with the Danes and the Bohemians.

**Kavhan Isbul** · 03-06-2007, 23:27

I can prove you wrong easily - just conquer Kiev (or Novgorod, but Kiev is closer) and build a swordsmith's workshop. It requires a castle, but it is going to supply you with a pretty nice swords unit - Variangian Swordsmen, until 1204. Alternatively, you can try to conquer the Scandinavian provinces - Denmark, Scania, Sweden and Norway for the viking huscarles, landsmen and jarls. Finally, the Cuman Warriors are a hybrid between archers and swordsmen.
Generally when playing with the Cumans I first go for Carpathia and Hungary, as I later need the blacksmiths to give any bonus possible to my spearmen and bashkorts, then straight for Kiev because of the nice swordsmen there.

**Digital** · 03-07-2007, 00:00

Thanks man! Any other province I can conquer in order to build armour piercing and swordman? You mean I can build the normal viking unit or just the huscarles, landsmen and jarls if I conquer Scandinavian provinces?

**Kavhan Isbul** · 03-07-2007, 01:02

Originally Posted by Digital

Thanks man! Any other province I can conquer in order to build armour piercing and swordman? You mean I can build the normal viking unit or just the huscarles, landsmen and jarls if I conquer Scandinavian provinces?

You would not be able to build the Viking unit, just the units that came in with Viking Invasion. For Variangian Swordsmen you need Kiev and Novgorod, and both will require a castle for the swrdsmith's workshop, so Kiev is your best option. Once the High period begins, you cannot build swordsmen any longer, which will make you rely heavily on your Cuman Warriors. Or you will simply need to master the use of horse archers and predominantly cavalry armies, which can be extremely fun.

**Digital** · 03-07-2007, 09:09

Hmmm, no more swordmen once I reached High period? What about huscarles, landsmen and jarls? I don't think I can get them once I can reach high period ,right? I'll get Lithunia for +1 valour woodmen and Tuscany much later for +1 valour Urban Militia then for my armour piercing.

**Vladimir** · 03-07-2007, 13:17

Don’t' forget to use your armored up step heavies. Their missiles are good against armor and they’re the best medium cav in the game.

**Digital** · 03-08-2007, 16:38

Hi,

The castle in Bohemia has finished building. My whole force from Bohemia invaded the Bohemians in Bavaria, leaving 60 men of Bashkort as garrison. The French are the allies of the Bohemians. Incidentally, the English invaded Flanders where the French had only a small garrison of less than 100 men. This is good as I will have less chance to be invaded by them.

Oh no, it is a bridge assault.

Bloody mess from all that fighting.

I lost about 700 men, about a full stack from that bridge assault.

My Khan has 4 princes about to reach 15 years of age, so I have to gain influence and command stars by invading other province. I may invade the Genose next. It will pave the way for me to take Tuscany where I can produce +1 Urban Militia. It has iron deposit and I can upgrade my urban militiamen there. I think this is the best armour piercing unit that I can produce for all periods.

**Vladimir** · 03-08-2007, 17:15

Why are you still relying on Urban Militia? I recommend Cuman warriors over them any day. You should really use your missile advantage.

**Digital** · 03-08-2007, 17:39

Originally Posted by Vladimir

Why are you still relying on Urban Militia? I recommend Cuman warriors over them any day. You should really use your missile advantage.

I do use them too. They have got good attack and defence, both 4, I think. When they finish shooting all their arrows, they are left with 2 bars, tired. Thats where Urban militia comes in, besides, they are armour piercing.

**Digital** · 03-08-2007, 18:25

Haha, although the French are the richest, most advanced and has the most powerful army. It is at war with 5 faction and has no allies. I don't think it will attack me as it has too many enemies to deal with. It is also at war with the Genose, so I think I'll leave the Genose alone for now. The Volgar-bulgar are pretty strong in the east. They have forced my allies, the Kievian, into their last two provinces. If they lay siege to my allies, the Kievians, I will consider lifting the siege and declaring war on them myself.

**Kavhan Isbul** · 03-08-2007, 18:27

Here is an idea - how about leaving the Volga Bulgars to actually capture Kiev, and then take it away from them? The province will be of much more use to you than a weak ally.

**Digital** · 03-08-2007, 18:31

Originally Posted by Kavhan Isbul

Here is an idea - how about leaving the Volga Bulgars to actually capture Kiev, and then take it away from them? The province will be of much more use to you than a weak ally.

I know I can build Varagian Swordman in Kiev, but I won't miss an opportunity to increase my Influence by relieving them of the siege. When my Influence reaches 9 crowns, they can conquer Kiev and THEN I can take it from them.

**Digital** · 03-08-2007, 19:02

Now, I am actually wary of my ally, the Byzantium. It is no longer at war with the Turkish and has a cease fire agreement with them. Just now, the Volgar - Bulgar and the French sent their emiisaries to ally with me but I rejected them. Hehe. The Byzantium wanted Carpathia just now. I hope they don't break their alliance for now.

**Digital** · 03-08-2007, 19:24

The Genose has married their princess to my prince. I think they know that they are about to be attacked by the French and wants me to help them.

**Vladimir** · 03-28-2007, 19:31

Wow, it must have gotten too easy.

**Digital** · 03-30-2007, 05:28

The year now is 1230. I am at war with 5 factions with no allies at all. If not for rebellions and re-emergence, I would have expanded more. Sometimes, I have to handle more than 10 peasant rebellions in spite of having a border fort and at least a +1 star spies in each province. Maybe the Mongol is late? I'll continue this game some other time.

**seireikhaan** · 03-30-2007, 07:02

The mongols be late? I've never had that happen before. Maybe the khaan didn't get the memo that he was supposed to invade. Or maybe the troops partied a little too hard on the way over.

**Deus ret.** · 03-30-2007, 12:14

They aren't late for sure! Press "End Turn" one more time and you should see them appear (they show up at the turn from 1230 to 1231).

Good luck & cheers to this great campagin, Digital!

**Vladimir** · 03-30-2007, 12:23

Late?

**Vladimir** · 05-03-2007, 17:58

And you still use vanilla spearmen and urban militia.

**Digital** · 05-03-2007, 18:27

Originally Posted by Vladimir

And you still use vanilla spearmen and urban militia.

Yeah, vanilla spearmen and urban militia without armour upgrades or low armour for the sand desert. All high armour troops like Cuman Heavy Cavalry and the likes for other regions. Bashkorts are extremely good for killing horses, especially Royal Knights and heavy cavalry.