Russia: Visual strategy guide

[Askthepizzaguy]

EDIT: ALL PHOTOS UPLOADED
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Greetings friends. I am having trouble hiding my evil grin.

At last, the long-anticipated sequel to my England and Egypt threads.
Don't worry, all you ERE fans, the Byzantine empire will strike back on my next thread.

I was challenged to conquer the map using my trademark aggression with an orthodox faction (Russia) on Very Hard/Very Hard.

This is Russia: Total War!

With crusades unavailable, a single starting province isolated in the corner of the map, and a bunch of fricking peasants with gardening equipment as an excuse for an army, I was off to a very difficult start.

Because these guides take so long to post, I thought I might give everyone a preview of what's to come.

Would you believe I was able to take 50 provinces by turn 45?
Believe it. If you want to see how I did it, I can take you through the game turn by turn once more.

EDIT:
For your convenience, here is a download link to the saved turns. You can pick up anywhere in my game and see how well you fare. Do you measure up? Maybe you're better than me.
Standard disclaimer: All saves function on the unmodified version of the game only. Or so I have been told. This means the super ultra hyper white vanilla version. Fresh out of the box.

http://www.sendspace.com/file/vojnvo All 45 turns
http://www.sendspace.com/file/mdbq57 Every 5 turns (faster download)

All I have to take is Jerusalem and the game is over. I could have ended it a couple turns ago if I had sent an army by ship to take the Holy Land amusement park. I've been too busy slaughtering Poland, Hungary, Denmark, HRE, France, Sicily, England, Scotland, Byzantium, and the annoying conehead, Mr. Pope-o-matic.

These screenshots show the overall status of Russia every five turns.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The humble origins of Mother Russia.



Russia declares war against Poland.



Russia gives the viking raiders a taste of their own medicine. I let their city burn to the ground with the survivors trapped inside.



The two armies meet in the middle.



Russia prepares to trample all over the Holy Roman empire.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Hungary is about to find itself behind the Iron Curtain.

Pretty sad to be conquered by a general who is, for all intents and purposes, named Schmucky the clown.



For all my homies in Bruges.



I make England my *****.



Bye-bye Hungary



Russia invades Scotland! It's only turn 35 and I've rolled up the entire northern map.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

I get vengeance upon France for that little man called Napoleon. Oh wait, that hasn't happened yet. And it never will.



Czech mate.



If anyone saw what I can do with France (an easter egg in my England thread, France owns all provinces by turn 57) Then this photo is somewhat ironic. Looks like I'm getting revenge on myself.



The English are pushed off the British Isles, and they are about to be wiped out of existence.



I spare no one. Not even Sicily. Next: the Pope dies and goes to heaven.

For you impatient types who want proof, (50 provinces in 45 turns, Russia) here it is.
MAJOR SPOILER ALERT. You might not want to click here.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

40 regions under my direct control, turn 40
1:1 ratio


50 regions, turn 45
10:9 ratio

I sack Constantinople. Burn, baby, burn.
I believe the word you are searching for is pwned.

I was particularly brutal in this campaign... my King ends up getting 10 dread.
I'll post a nice shot of that too.

The gory details and strategy section is soon to come.
Boy, I do say that a lot and often times never get around to it.
This time, I swear the solemn oath of a bloodthirsty dread knight that I will complete this thread. Eventually. Pinky swear.