Beginner Playing As The Irish

[Jamie the Shrubber]

Hi everyone. This is my first post and I'm exhausted because I spent most of the night playing MTW!!! Its incredibly immersive. I've put the game setting on normal and, because I like a challenge, I chose to play Ireland which the game says is hard to do. I'm also of Irish descent so it will be an interesting Irish history lesson with which I can use to impress my father!

I just want a bit of reasurance that I'm doing it right. I've noticed there are many other posts here that will be of use so I'll be reading them very closely too.

I have now captured all of Ireland and have been spending my time building different structures and churning out different fighters. I have trained hundreds of the fighters that have glass in their name (I can't remember it fully) and my battles have all been simple enough to win. Even when I was outnumbered by about 600 to 150 I still won with ease but I think thats because my army is made up heavily of the very strong glass fighters. Now my army is 1400 strong and any rebels I encounter are no match.

Do I just keep building and training as I'm doing in anticipation of major attacks from the east? Is Ireland classed as hard because of the Irish sea and the fact any invasions have to be done by crossing the water? I'll scour this site for tutorials but I just want to know if a total novice like me playing as Ireland is wise? I don't like playing games on easy settings because they end too quickly and there is no challenge.

Thanks for any replies!

[macsen rufus]

Well the Irish are an interesting faction, and well worth playing, but not sure about as the first campaign. It's because they are so different that it's generally best to have played another faction first so you appreciate the differences (but I wouldn't abandon your campaign now you're into it....)

The Gallowglasses do pack quite a punch, and armour piercing too, but their defence can be a little weak. You'll do fine against rebels, but will have a harder time against the saxon factions. And you're in for a real treat when the Vikings come calling You'll need to master the various missiles that the Irish have, as I'm sure you've already noticed the lack of archers. The kerns and bonnachts have armour-piercing missiles which can make quite a dent against heavily armoured opponents (ie Vikings!), and careful use of these will really help to fight off the Nordic raiders.

Definitely take a look at the guides section of the Guild, as there is a lot of distilled knowledge in there. Anyway, welcome to the Org, and beware the game is very addictive as there's so much to explore - put aside the next couple of years

[caravel]

Welcome, Jamie the Shrubber, the .org

I have now captured all of Ireland and have been spending my time building different structures and churning out different fighters. I have trained hundreds of the fighters that have glass in their name (I can't remember it fully) and my battles have all been simple enough to win. Even when I was outnumbered by about 600 to 150 I still won with ease but I think thats because my army is made up heavily of the very strong glass fighters. Now my army is 1400 strong and any rebels I encounter are no match.

The Gallowglass should be the Gall Gael which is the Irish term for those type of warriors (Gallowglass ('Galloglaigh') is the Scottish term). The gallowglasses in the game are strong attackers, when launched into the enemy flank they can be unstoppable, unfortunately their morale is lacking so you'll need a good general and a sound strategy if you you don't want to see the whole lot routing, when they start taking losses. The key is to concentrate on developing your gallowglass units by merging higher valour remnants together to create one elite unit, then sending these out to battle again. It is important to conserve your higher valour gallowglasses and not send them into suicidal attacks where they will take heavy losses. That sort of work is best reserved for the greener units.

Do I just keep building and training as I'm doing in anticipation of major attacks from the east? Is Ireland classed as hard because of the Irish sea and the fact any invasions have to be done by crossing the water? I'll scour this site for tutorials but I just want to know if a total novice like me playing as Ireland is wise? I don't like playing games on easy settings because they end too quickly and there is no challenge.

Thanks for any replies!

Ireland is actually rather easier than some of the other factions, such as the Welsh, Picts and Scots. Ireland can be defended easily if you work on gaining naval superiority. Your boats will prevent invasions from Britain and Scandinavia, so Ireland can be turned into a cash cow allowing you expand into Britain. The Vikings can be paralysed quickly by taking on their ships and sinking them. This stops them raiding and they will soon run out of money. Another good strategy is to deploy your bishops to their provinces to convert their populace to Christianity, this stops their raiding antics, turning them into a normal faction. The British factions that you're going to have to hit first are the two major English ones, that is the Mercians and Saxons. If left to it, one of them will conquer most of Britain. The trick is to keep them weakened and stop them from overdeveloping. Once the Mercians and Saxons start training Huscarles things will get a lot harder.

Aside from your gallowglasses some of your strongest units are the javelin throwers mentioned by macsen rufus. The Bonnachts and Kerns both throw what are basically armour piercing weapons, though the Bonnachts are in larger units, their weapon differs from the kerns. The Bonnachts vs Kerns debate goes on however. Dartmen throw lighter, non armour piercing darts, so they are best used as cheap stand-ins for archers or as garrison units (very low support), they won't do well against armoured units.

You seem to be doing well, try your next campaign on the hard difficulty, but I would advise against going above that, as expert gives an "unfair" morale bonus to the AI (easy gives you, the player, that bonus which is why it's also best avoided).

Well you've inspired me to play a VI/Irish campaign tonight.

[ULC]

Also, play in adverse weather conditions. Rain, strong wind, and snow are your best friends, as these keep archers off your back and wear down those heavily armored foes. Your javelins and darts are unaffected in bad weather to boot. If the game persists in handing you perfect days, stick to forests. Again, this will help counter your opponents strengths. Caravel is absolutely right, Naval superiority is a top priority as the Irish.

[macsen rufus]

That sort of work is best reserved for the greener units.

But they're ALL green

[caravel]

But they're ALL green

I fell right into that one didn't I?

On the subject of Bonnachts and Kerns, I actually use both, but I use Kerns in a more "throw javelins and charge flank" capacity, whereas I use Bonnachts as skirmishers only. As I hinted above I use dartmen for garrisons and never train peasants. I believe the Armoured Spearmen are not available to the Irish IIRC? I certainly don't remember using them anyway. This means relying on your javelin throwers a lot more, to devastate cavalry before they get close enough to do any damage. In defensive battles the trick is to take your javelins off fire at will and have them hit a carefully selected target with controlled volleys. Aside from hitting the more obvious targets such as a unit of royal bodyguards, mounted nobles or huscarles, hitting a lower morale, non elite enemy unit with such a volley causing massive casualties may cause an instant rout, that could lead to a chain rout if you're lucky. Once the unit routs order them to stop and switch to another likely target. Making use of the woods is also a good idea, as gallowglasses with get even nastier if they charge out of a wood, downhill to ambush and flank the enemy. Ouch. Wood also provide protection against cavalry charges and cavalry are poor in woods.

[drone]

The Irish do get Spearmen and Armoured Spearmen. With the high upkeep costs (compared to "native" troops), Spearmen are worse than useless to the Irish, but when facing Huscarles (and heavy cav), Armoured Spearmen are great for pinning and holding while the Gallowglasses and Kerns move to flank.

With the native troops, proper terrain usage is a must. Archers will outrange you, and cavalry will decimate you, so trees are your friend. Your troops are light and fast, so use this speed to tire out the enemy and gain the high ground.

Welcome to the Org, Jamie the Shrubber.

[Dark Water]

[QUOTE=Jamie the Shrubber]


I have now captured all of Ireland and have been spending my time building different structures and churning out different fighters. I have trained hundreds of the fighters that have glass in their name (I can't remember it fully) and my battles have all been simple enough to win. Even when I was outnumbered by about 600 to 150 I still won with ease but I think that's because my army is made up heavily of the very strong glass fighters. Now my army is 1400 strong and any rebels I encounter are no match.
QUOTE]

Hello There from one Irishman to another.........Yea naval superiority is a must as this stops people invading your provinces(Ireland is only five provinces) and gives you the option of doing so to them...Gallowglasses are my favourite type of units but they cant be relied on as the bulk of your armies, i find armoured spear men taking the brunt with the G-glasses at the flanks work pretty good.....the Saxons tend to be the toughest opponents(with Huscarls) in Britain, they are succeptable to missiles as are the Irish but have access to archers which the Irish don't......good luck

[Martok]

Welcome to the Org, Jamie the Shrubber! Glad you're enjoying MTW/VI so much.

I can't really add to the advice everyone has given, except to emphasize the need to gain naval superiority over the Vikings as soon as is reasonably possible. Sinking the Norsemen's longships is the best possible defense against them.

For additional tips on how to play the Irish, I recommend you go here.