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[Askthepizzaguy]

so in plain english...its a cheat..........so that don't count.......whats the point in playing if you use exploits?? what fun is that ??don't get me wrong im not bashing you , but thats one reason i left online gaming too many bloody cheats ..............

I wouldn't call it a cheat. This tactic is definitley an exploit, but since there are no code entries/game hacking involved, and I am playing by out-of-the-box rules unmodified, it simply is an exploit. Much like those players who use bridges to beat massive armies with tiny forces because the computer is too stupid to fight effectively. The only part that is remotely cheating is getting +4 free chivalry, which doesnt really do all that much. I could just as easily use dread instead. That is the only thing the computer cannot do; everything else is what the computer does anyway. So it's playing the game on AI terms.

Besides, the game absolutely cheats. Their crusading forces NEVER desert, and apparently they never go into debt.

And by the way, if the object of the game is to capture all territories before the Mongols arrive, the mission is extremely hard. Much harder than a typical game. Under these house rules, the game is more fun, not less. Besides, you cannot crusade against catholic factions that aren't excommunicated, and you can easily get slowed down by the pope or excommunicated if you arent careful.

Anyone can beat the game slow and steady. Using crusades to blitz victory is much much harder than it sounds. If you dont believe me, accept my challenge. It's pretty much you against every single faction at once. There is no such thing as an ally, other than the pope. And even he hates you if you dont bless him every turn with bribery.

100 regions captured by turn 60. I have already passed this challenge. No code entry/game hacking, no mods, and choose any faction.

Basically, what I am saying is... with unlimited turns the game is all too simple. No human is dumb enough to attack an AI with 2 full stacks together unless they absolutely have to. So with 2 full stacks of your own, every single battle is owned. I think thats cheap and prevents you from actually getting better troops. So in order to make the game challenging, I give myself a turn limit to total victory. Then you can't simply take out one city at a time with two stacks of peasants while beefing up your home territory and sending reinforcements every 5 turns.

You can modify the house rules if you don't like them... say 'no chivalry exploit' and try it. Or no 'movement loss to desertion' avoiding. See how fast you can take the entire map.