1.0x AI Faction Progression Thread

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Here's the progression in my Makedonian AAR campaign over the years:
(I did a little bit of micromanaging to keep the Hai out of the steppes and Aedui out of Germania)
(For later pictures, Purple=Hayasdan, Green=Pahlav, Gold=Ptolemaioi)
270BC:
260BC:
250BC:
240BC:
230BC:
220BC:
210BC:
200BC:
190BC:

[Thundercleese]

Thanks for the responses. The last time I was in great danger was when I was already at war with the Ptolemies in Africa, and Makedon (they had all of Asia Minor at that point, and a territory or two in Europe). Both were super rich.

Then both the Sweboz and Getai attacked me, and I had a very long border with the Getai. Had a lot of desperate fighting for a time. Had to micromanage my garrisions and taxes at that time to fund the war.

[LordCurlyton]

Here's the progression in my Makedonian AAR campaign over the years:
(I did a little bit of micromanaging to keep the Hai out of the steppes and Aedui out of Germania)
(For later pictures, Purple=Hayasdan, Green=Pahlav, Gold=Ptolemaioi)
270BC:
260BC:
250BC:
240BC:
230BC:
220BC:
210BC:
200BC:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

190BC:

What's with the color change in the later ones, MAA? You do that yourself?

[johnhughthom]

Read MAA's Makedonian AAR to find out about the colour changes Lord Curlyton.

[Deadhuntr]

Hello, I am new to the EB forums and the EB mod itself.
Here's my current campaign as the Getia

Faction: Getia
Diffaculty: VH/Med (As suggested by the EB team for complete "balance")
Allies/
Enemies: (See picture)





My plan is to gather my forces at Singidunum and lay siege untill they Sally. While keeping a defence force at Tylis.

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

What's with the color change in the later ones, MAA? You do that yourself?

I used basically dead factions to make new ones (Pahlav -> Gandhara, Ptolemaioi -> Meroe, & Hayasdan -> Media). I just renamed and recolored them.

[stupac]

Here's my Baktria campaign at 210. Hard diff with BI exe. Gotta say those Mak's are damn resilient. In every campaign I've played they always get forced out of greece but they always hold on, they are trying to carve out an empire in the steppes, hard to see on the map cause they blend in with their neighbors the swezboz, who always seem to be blitzkrieging away as they do in every campaign I've played. Right now Maks, Pontos, Epeiros, and haydensen somehow are all protectorates of KH. I helped out Haydensen a bit, gave them 2 territories I took from AS to try to get the Selucids off my back, to no avail. It was funny, I kept fighting AS and every few turns they'd ask for a ceasefire. I'd always think up some outrageous demands and every time they'd accept for some reason. I think I took 6 of their regions without a drop of blood spilled or a talent paid, just some ink on a treaty. Of course the very next turn they'd attack me again and invalidate the treaty they had to pay so dearly for. Stupid AS, when will they learn.

[Hax]

haydensen

That guy that played Emokin Skyscraper?

[Decimus Attius Arbiter]

A lot of Christiansens in Haydensen, eh?

[stupac]

Hoked on fonics wurked 4 me

[Teleklos Archelaou]

It's interesting to note that all factions are still alive in the year 210 in stupac's campaign - not that common an occurrence I'd suspect.

[woad&fangs]

My Avernii Campaign, 237 BC

Gallic Civil War- 272-265
War with Rome"War of Betrayal"- 252-247
War with Sweboz"War of the Rhine"- 239-present
technically at war with Getai but we're dancing around the issue for now.
At war with Pontus because of Galation rebellions in Ancyra

Allies: Epeirotes, Casse

The Sweboz attacked me but I had an elaborate system of watchtowers and forts on the northern half of the rhine river so I used that year and half of the next to mobilize troops across the empire. Naked Spearmen from Ictis, Hoplites from Massilia, Northern Swordsmen from Bribracte, Gaesatae from Gergovia, Alpine Phalanxes from Adventicos, and other mid level troops from various cities. So now even though I'm outnumber, the Sweboz have mostly low quality troops were as I have a top flight army. I've now crossed the Rhine and have brought the fight to them. Although it's hard to see, I own Ictis in Britain.

Casse are doing nothing.

Lussottannan started fast but are now a protectorate of Carthage.

Carthage- Not doing much but it looks like they might be gearing up for an assault on the completely undefended Western half of the Ptolemaic Empire.

Romani- Filthy traitors, die die die, burn in Hades.

Aedui- Long dead

Sweboz- Were doing well, but unless they accept a ceasefire and some generous reperations on their part then I'll have to eliminate them. *sigh* I'll never finish my victory conditions if I keep getting sidetracked like this.

Epeirotes- They've taken Dalminion and I've gifted them Arpi. They have a fullstack in Tarentum and one near their Capital.

Macedon- down to their capitol and the fullstack residing in it.

KH- Woohee!!! look at them go. They've got about half a dozen half stacks walking around in addition to a couple of fullstacks. They're at war with Macedon and are besieged at Byzantium by Pontus, but the KH have a stronger force their.

Getai- Pretty decent expansion. They have a full stack garrisoning Ak-Ink and a half stack out side of it. I'm letting them wear down Naissos for me before I try to take it. Besides Ak-Ink their lands are lightly defended, so I'll deal with them when I've made decent headway against the Sweboz.

The situation for AS is even worse then it looks on the map. They'll soon be gobbled up by the yellow fever and cookie monster.

[Deadhuntr]

Suggestions Needed:
Is it just me, or did I mess up somewhere long the way? I have reinforcements inbound to both besieged cities but so does the attacker...I don't see this going well and I am going to defiantly loose ONE of these 2- I think anyway. If it comes down to it, which one should I give up? Or anyone see away for me out of this? Macedon wont accept a ceasefire and I obviously can't bribe anyone.

[Pezlu]

@Deadhuntr: It seems from the screenshot that Naissos brings in more cash; it's closer to your territories so it's easier to defend; and the Makedonian army there looks weaker. I'd save Naissos if I had to choose. And if you decide to take this path, it's even better to destroy everything in Tylis so the Maks will have difficult times rebuilding everything; unless, of course, you are planning on reconquering it very soon.

Also, what's the diplomatic situation in that area? Is Makedonia at war with someone else? How are they faring in their other wars, if any? If they have some other problems, you could retreat, retrain, and prepare to strike in a more favorable moment, while expanding north or west and defending your home territories.

However, I think you can defeat both armies if you fight the battles well. Naissos should be easy; of course it depends on army composition. Tylis will be more difficult, but it looks that with some luck and superior tactics you can win. I would position the reinforcements near the besieging army and then sally out, so the Maks would be somewhat unprepared; unless you have lots of cavalry or some other kind of army which fares better on open ground.

I would train horse archers in Kallatis however. Think of them getting behind the phalanxes and unleashing a rain of arrows in their backs... while their fronts are threatened by your infantry

[Deadhuntr]

"Also, what's the diplomatic situation in that area? Is Makedonia at war with someone else? How are they faring in their other wars, if any? If they have some other problems, you could retreat, retrain, and prepare to strike in a more favorable moment, while expanding north or west and defending your home territories."-


If this dosent help I dont know what else to say.

"I'd save Naissos if I had to choose. And if you decide to take this path, it's even better to destroy everything in Tylis so the Maks will have difficult times rebuilding everything; unless, of course, you are planning on reconquering it very soon."-
Well I need it for victory, so yes.


"Tylis will be more difficult, but it looks that with some luck and superior tactics you can win."-
I am VERY good @ defending with 2 Inf+1 Archers or 3Phalanx + 1 Archers, however all I have there right now is 2 Generals and 2 Skirmishers.

"I would train horse archers in Kallatis however."- Cant, not enough income.

[stupac]

It's interesting to note that all factions are still alive in the year 210 in stupac's campaign - not that common an occurrence I'd suspect.

I was surprised too. I thought for certain that the Getai had had it when they were expelled from their homeland by Epeiros. They went all the way down to 1 settlement surrounded by Swezboz, but then they got a few heroic victories and took another settlement. Arverni and Maks are notable as well for stayin alive for so long.

[Deadhuntr]

**Update** Fixed the issue, my campaign is now back on track!!:)
Faction: Getia
Diffaculty: VH/Med
Enemies: Macedon

Well, things seemed to be going bad...and not getting any better, however do to some strokes of luck on auto's, and battling my way back to victory here we are:

Reinforcements are comming from Macedon hard and quick, I plan to retake Tylis then secure my Southern border and move North/NW to secure victory.

[Ayce]

Situation in 232-231:



As recent military involvement in the war has been stepped up, Gudila pe Appulon, governor of Pella, the second most influential carracter in the Getic Noble Family besides Notoporos pe Rekidava, the war hero, currently tied up in Side, has called a grand public meeting of the Tarabostes and Komatai in the city of Byzantion. There he prepared the people for the concept of total war by a master stroke of propaganda in what is now known as the Byzantion Palza Speech.

„The Ptolaimaic dynasty of course has not the slightest appreciation for our nation's treasures, and would take no heed of them whatsoever if it came to that. It did not do so even for its own people. Ptolaimaic Egypt over the last 25 years has been oppressing it's people and the nobility has treated them like the scum of the Earth. That mob of snobs ruling Egypt has constantly treated us as if we were as lowly as the Germans, perhaps even worse! They have molded their society in one to serve the expansionist military needs of their corrupt nobility. Not only was their attack unprovoked, it was a betrayal and despite our glorious successes they refuse peace and we do not believe in peace at all costs. Recently they have geared their entire production towards raising troops. We have to respond with similar measures if we do not want to give up the game as lost.

My firm conviction is that we cannot overcome the Ptolaimaic danger unless we use equivalent, though not identical, methods. The people of the Getic Empire face the gravest demand of the war, namely of finding the determination to use all our resources to protect everything we have and everything we will need in the future.

Total war is the demand of the hour. We must put an end to the bourgeois attitude that we have also seen in this war: Wash my back, but don't get me wet! (Every sentence is met with growing applause and agreement.) The time has come to remove the kid gloves and use our fists. (A cry of elemental agreement rises. Chants from the galleries and seats testify to the full approval of the crowd.) We can no longer make only partial and careless use of the war potential at home and in the significant parts of Europe that we control. We must use our full resources, as quickly and thoroughly as it is organizationally and practically possible. Unnecessary concern is wholly out of place. The future of the civilized world hangs on our success in the East. We are ready to defend it. Those who today do not understand that will thank us tomorrow on bended knees that we courageously and firmly took on the task.

The Ptolaimies maintain that the you have lost faith in victory.

I ask you: Do you believe with the Basileu, the Ktistai and us Tarabostes in the final total victory of the Getic people? (Enthusiastic reaction)

Second, They say that the Getic people are tired of fighting.

I ask you: Are you ready to follow the Basileu as the phalanx of the homeland, standing behind the fighting army and to wage war with wild determination and faith in Zalmoxis through all the turns of fate until victory is ours? (The plaza once again busts in applause and cheering)

Third: The Egiptians maintain that you are resisting the Tarabostes' total war measures. It does not want total war, but capitulation! (Shouts: Never! Never! Never!)

I ask you: Do you want total war? If necessary, do you want a war more total and radical than anything that we can even imagine today? (The crowd rises as one man. It displays unprecedented enthusiasm)

Now, people rise up and let the storm break loose!”
Gudila's final words were lost in unending stormy applause

Soon after D Day was launched, when a large army led by Rubobostes per Tylis landed in the Nile Delta. Alexandreia was besieged and by December 232 BC conquered and it's population exterminated (something unimaginable until the Byzantion Plaza Speech). Rubobostes started getting nightmares, but he knew this was the only way. Our enemies called this the sack of Alexandreia, but we didn't damage a single building. In fact we upgraded the display area for Megas Alexandros' body with the finest glass available in the known world.

[PershsNhpios]

Well I never!

Your Getic Kingdom is just copying my Getic Kingdom's dreams of Alexandria!

I would of held Alexandria had my general not become crippled with diseases!

Regardless!


De Gallico Bello Novaaa!

I was going to post after my new campaign that will end in the Getic Possession of all of anatolia and parts of the Caucasus -which is currently underway as Ankyra is undersiege.

However - all these other so-called Dacians started showing themselves and I could not help but give an update earlier.

I am thinking of creating an AAR as stated elsewhere, in which I will relate a campaign against Rome.
I will probably take Messana, Rhegion, Taras, Arpi, and Roma in that order - then my army can be always at the forehand of the offensive and - god willing - defeat those damned Romans and their determination.

The Gallic War is very interesting, and encompasses more than Celtic Gaul and the republic, the Iberians, the Carthaginians, Germans, Gauls and Romans are all pushing for Bibracte!

Tolosa was gained by a naval assault!
The Phoenicians don't care for the Westernmost peninsula - their leaders long for a cottage each amongst the Dolomiti!

As you can see, I betrayed my long-time allies, the Epeirotes - my favourite colour is green - but not that dreadful, dead colour they wear.
So this, as well as their stubborn marching all over my lands, was my pretext for raping every greek woman, slaughtering every greek man, and crippling every greek child in slavery that lived on the Balkan peninsula.

Yes, every town was exterminated, no building was sacred - I became quite rich - my generals rather sleepless.

But an interesting thing to pass into memory of the Romans and of the Koinon - is that the two went to war when Massalia rebelled from the former, and the latter holding Trapezous for the same cause - suffered a Roman naval assault!

Those vengeful men sent almost a full stack through the Aegean into the Pontic - and besieged Trapezous!

Yes, I have had many such feuds in my campaign, and especially, (Until recently - ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!), the Greeks and Makhedonians were very active in shipping men.


I have not expanded as much as any player has so far in my campaign - this was because of my method of expansion!
Thank you again, my LoveyJoy, for correcting me.

For since- as you may notice - I have gained 14 new provinces in 8 years!

As for other factions - The Casse disappoint, the Saka are exiled, but peaceful.
The Sauromatae, after my crusade against mediocrity, are now so much more mediocre they will never expand again.

The Hayasdan have surprised me with their strength, they continually try to take to the south - towards Antioch - and they would of gotten away with it too if it weren't for those meddling Ptolemies.

Who, have cut the Seleukids in half, and the two economic giants, (Though I am largest..), have signed a peace agreement - so whilst there is a great cheese wedge cleaving the Seleucid Empire, I am promptly taking the Western half for myself - as all barbarians have done in history!

Baktria betrayed Parthia.. They must of heard what had happened to the oldest alliance in the world further West and come up with an idea!

And the Arabs were pushed from the Nile... they had four cities there in 204 BC.. What they need is ambition! They currently have 4 armies I paid for myself!

Finally - Pontus.. Well.. I have been really nice to them haven't I?

All I wanted was Nikaia, then a peace, and the last time I killed a Pontic man was.. Well about half a century ago! How peaceful is that!

And then they go and besiege the Bithynian town.. So I was well within my rights to declare a campaign against them.. And now I am going to have the pleasure of seeing the pretty picture that shows the Pontic faction, "Destroyed" icon.
As well as the Makedonian.

Right.. To bed.

[LordCurlyton]

Well I'll be. I finished it. A whole campaign. And I thought I had to go conquer Egypt as well. Silly me thought the map was accurate.
Aedui are the way they are because of me. I conquered the Romans and gave their Po Valley and Alp posessions to the Aedui, then bought several other Central European settlements from the Sweboz and gave them to the Aedui, who are the Arveni's protectorate now.
And the Arveni...wow. Just when I thought the Swebic steamroller was starting, the Arveni decide to start throwing punches at the Germans. And what a wallop! They are rolling the Sweboz back on all fronts, sending highly trained Time of Soldier armies at vast levy armies and triumphing, naturally. At this rate the Germans will be fighting in their own woods. Incidentally this spooked them such that they wanted an alliance with me (which is how I got the settlements), which caused the Aedui and Sweboz to declare peace (I'm allied to the Aedui as well). I'm just waiting for the Aedui to backstab their protectors now since I gave them much more turf...
The Sauro are alive, but not really kicking. If it weren't for rebellion the Blue Wave would have engulfed them. The Hai have been driven back by me and they have basically abandoned attacking me as Bartix is coming for them...
The Ptolies have not managed to finish off the AS, amazingly, especially after I took Ipsos from them.
The Carthies have been victimized by me, and will continue to be post-VC. I think I'll give the African holdings to the Saba, mainly b/c I believe they share the same culture-group, and I'd liek to see the AI Saba outside of its usual confines for once.
I also plan on giving some sembalnce of life back to the AS when I eventually attack the Ptolies. And then, as time marches on towards 14 AD, I'll slowly try to conquer the world.
Wish me luck. I'll keep you posted when the urge strikes me.
The best things I liked about the campaign:
The Agoge system. Not only did I get regular Agoge people I also had one Excelled and one Krypteia member, which I found massively awesome. Classical SS, yo.
Those stacks that prevent the expansion of everyone and their mother in Western Europe from heading to Central Eastern Europe.
The KH's positively brutal infantry lineup. Who needs cavalry? Or archers, if you're feeling particularly sadistic. I've got Ekdromoi Hoplitai.
The fact that even after the vanilla Marians, its still a bitch to get good pikes in good quantities out and about to face the Eastern Diadochi. I think the image of wave after wave of stacks with Kleouroch and elite pikes + Galatian Kleourochs will be stuck in my eyeballs forever.
All those new Celtic units. Suddenly Central Europe doesn't seem so dry anymore!

And just so you know, the advisor is showing b/c someone started the Agoge training. And yes, that IS an all HA army I have. HAs rock. So much. Especially when waves of light infantry come at you.

[Teleklos Archelaou]

We like to hear those "things I liked best" parts LC! Sounds like a great campaign.

[Hooahguy]

ok, heres my getai campaign AI progression- especially look at the steppes- theres a whirlwind of a battle over it between the saka, baktria and the pahlavans....

272, how it began:


270, saka and pahlava occupy some territory:


267, pahlava takes another settlement:


261, baktria lost marakanda to rebels:


260, Baktria reclaims it, and takes another settlement (i forgot which one) and saka takes over some persian territory:


259, persians fight deep into saka territory, and the baks take Xiyu:


258, saka take Xiyu and take back terriory from the persians:


257 and 256, baks take back Xiyu and more saka territory- i thought the saka were going to be killed off soon.....
257:


256:


254, baks lose Xiyu and saka take back some territory:


spring 252, persians once again penetrate deep into saka territory:


summer 252, saka take back starting province from the baks, but cant take back the province they lost to the persians yet.....

[The Celtic Viking]

Here's how it's gone in my campaign as the Arverni. (In case you're wondering, yes, I've taken a break from the Sab'yn one without updating it.)

Here's 241 BC. I remember the Carthies were doing really good at this time, and were sieging the town just above the one they already had in south Italy.



At 235 BC the Carthies lost that town in south Italy, but gained the one just above in exchange. I, myself, had taken back Massalia which had earlier revolted to the KH.



Now, at 221 BC, the Ptolemies are completely wiped out by AS. Lusotannan are taking over Iberia, and Karthadastim have been kicked back to Sicily. The Arverni, that is me, am currently fighting the Romans while also trying to hold back the backstabbing Sweboz, who were once my allies. Saka has retaken one province from Baktria now, which may be thanks to a little modification of the script from my part (I made it so Saka and the Sauromatae got slightly more than everyone else as they never seem to do anything at all except dying IME). Also note that Sab'yn have crossed the sea and taken that settlement that's in the place of modern day Eritrea.

[Gaivs]

Wow. Thats a very .8 looking AS.

[Olimpian]

Okay,here's my first EB campaign with the Romans




After i had Italy I went for Carthage,then Iberia and finally Gaul.Now i just finished off Epirus,next target:Pontus.

Remarks :
- Baktria and Ptolies eating up AS
- Pontus has an empire in the Balkans,and have just made peace with the Getai,probably in order to attack me...good thing i prepared for this
- Ptolies just can't hold on to Ethiopia...keeps rebelling to Saba after they capture it
- Sweboz are blocked...after i fortified the Rhine they seem to do nothing with their aprox. 6 stacks close to my border,some quite powerful
- Carthage is a buffer between me and the powerful Ptolies...although i already share a border with them south of Sparta...maybe an excuse for them to declare war already and come after me?(not looking forward to hordes of phalanxes and galatians just yet )
- Hai is lost in the steppes....casse just lost
- Makedon didn's let up and survives in Asia Minor
- Parthians,Sarmatians and Saka not doing much
- Saba have their corner of the world
- KH still hanging on...i'll put them out of their missary soon enough

Now the problem The three armies of rebels marked out have apparently migrated from up north...they're all boii i think.is it right for them to be there?Could this be a bug?I read about these scripted armies on the forum,but didn't see anywhere about them moving this much around and sitting in other faction's provinces.Not sure what i'm gonna do about them once i reach them,but it will suck if i'll have to fight them..mostly double silver chevrons

Not sure for how long I'll keep playing though...Started out with the intention of recreating the Roman Empire and reaching the Marian reforms,but the Roman units have somewhat dissapointed me.Think I'll return to my beloved phalanxes soon enough,and rebuild Alexander's Empire

[PershsNhpios]

Why doesn't the AI do anything in my games until 205 BC?

Is it something I said?

[Ayce]

How did Pontus do that???

[anubis88]

How did Pontus do that???

I my campaign with Carthage, Pontos had more than 30 provinces, whole Asia minor, macedonia, greece, and the getic lands!

[Hax]

Captured Byzantion, moved on to Tylis, captured Kallatis, etc.

[CaesarAugustus]

Looks like Mithridates the Great came a century or so too early... now put him in his place Olimpian!