Well, I'm not that hardcore to play with VH/x, I stay with M/E (the last one due to my low end comp).
I remember when first playing with Pontos (0.81v2) that a Ptolemaii diplomat turned up after a few couples of turns and I managed to get both Kilikia and Pamphylia (can't remember the city's names). The AS betrayed me shortly after this, but luckily I had managed to get Sinope, Ani-Kamah, Nikaia and Trebezount, giving me some income.
The coastal cities with their harbours proved very valuable and my single diplomat was busy signing tade agreements with everyone in Europe and, also, ended the war with KH.
I took the three AS cities in Asia Minor ASAP, and made up a defence against "The Grey Death", trying to consilidate and improving my harbours / building roads. Them AS kept sending troops after troops, which I could defy (using a lot of slingers and what of the starting Hellenic Native Phalanxes was left as cores of my army).
After sacking Antiochia, things got a lot easier and I was able to build a second army. The first, more experienced one still acted as mobile defence force, while the new one went on an "raid tour" through AS lands, sacking and pillaging as many as possible cities. Hit and run. Did not keep them, but they provided me the money I needed. Finally, the army and the brave family member (dull/uncharismatic/langourous//unselfish/??/loyal with some ugly start traits) fell. I remember he was one of the "worst" characters I've seen, but man, he did a great job and I hope they had erected a statue in his honour back in Amazeia.
I could rise a new second army and started taking city after city from the AS, very slowly, using a lot of spies as "radars". And I was able to build my first mines (silly me didn't know all about mines at that time, I made money via trade). Chersonesos and the second city on the Krim were taken shortly after, further improving my trade.
At the time I was very slowly conquering the old Persian lands, I had a Virus attack and unfortunately had to use the "Recovery"-CD.
Yours,
Treverer
P.S. I've never had such a good go with Pontos again so I'd guess it was Beginner's luck.
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