Man enjoying himself playing Pontus

[Alderdix]

Satyros
I learned in pontos campaign one thing completely. To think perspecivly. Playing this faction is harcore. You can;t do many mistakes if any. Its best campaign in Total war, most hardest. I can say what i did. I have similar situation war with ptolemai and AS in one time. Almoust endless zerg of elite enemies. To fight you need money. If you have no profits you won't buy more mines (you won;t have more profits) - > you won't make more soldiers - > you will die. Expansion wont give you more money (since you need to keep garnisons to keep people calm) but mines in secured area will.

To have money you need to have time (best way is to build mines). So you need to reduce army and in the same time slow down enemies (best if you can stop them). I can say what i did.

I made system of forts , remains of mercenaries armies are garrnisons for it. After every bridge in every thin pass near all border tows i made forts. Its the way to slow down enemy and it gives time to build the defence or move main forces. I fought with every faction i meet on my way (heyda, macedonian, Ptolemai, Seleucid, greeks). I took whole minor asia (with byzantie), whole heyden land, on easti 'we build mines in everywhere i could (still need to build mayby 5-6 mine complex), i made 3 big armies.

One to defend ptolemai attack (bridge near Tarsus. other ways are secured by forts).

Second army is in the north in land of Hayd to protect agains seleucid, and on east in Byzanitie prevent entering other nations to minor asia. Now im focused on establishn complex mines.I have more less 10 provinces with valuable metals, its really chance for good benefit.

Good idea to slow down enemies are spy and assasins, spy is increasing unrest , assasins are making sabotage actions (destroy buildings that increase stability of city (temples, garnisons etc). Enemy will gather forces there instead sending them to you. With bit of luck those town will revolt and you will have natural border.

So good luck :) i advise everyone to play Pont :) it gives most funniest army ever (naked mans, chariots, phalanx and slingers :)) Everything to make fear in enemy hearts :). Slingers are more efective when shooting in enemy backs :).And of course you need to be smart to win with giants.