Pontic Campaign

[Sygrod]

Well, it was just a matter of time before the seleucids would send armies to recapture Karkathiokerta. 238 BC, a small army of only 886 men under a strong general (read "arrogant") laid siege on the city garrison of 2412. Guess what happened. They endured a hail of stones from the ramparts. I sent out the Scythians again and the seleucid general fled with only 268 men left. My losses were 0. Another army marched up from the East after I had sent off a detachment towards Edessa. My 1749 to their 1834 with no less than the faction heir commanding.

This battle was a bit of a chore. I had lined up my slingers on the eastern walls. They gave the seleucids quite a pelting, before the enemy lined up on the hill out of range. Fortunately, they lined up with 2 toxotai units on the far left flank. That's where my general's cavalry went. While trying to stay clear of pointy spears from nearby melee units, My cavalry ruined the first toxotai unit. An enemy unit with sharp implements gave chase, but changed their minds when they came within range of my slingers as my general took refuge below the wall. Another attack decimated the other unit of toxotai. I then repositioned the general in front of the gate to rest. Once rested, he attacked the caucasian archers on the seleucid right flank, but was charged by the faction heir and his bodyguard of 100 horses. They were taken on a long tour around the walls, where first the slingers, then the towers did their work. Once the general had gone around the city once, he had 23 guys with him, so I turned my general around and hacked them to pieces. The general, now alone fled, but a few well aimed stones changed his future. Another attack on the caucasian archers sent the enemy fleeing.
My losses: 42 of the general's bodyguards
Seleucid losses: 1285 men, including the faction heir.

The road to Edessa lay open, and my army of 1025 took it with ease in 238 BC. The garrison consisted of 301 men, including a unit of Pantodapoi phalangitai. The two generals were killed and half the phalanx had been bludgeoned with stones when the square was in my possession.

No sooner had I secured the city than one of the wayward seleucid armies laid siege to it with 547 men against my 928. You probably know the outcome by now. Losses 3 against their 375.

In 238 a rebel army had sprouted on my vital line of communication between Mazaka and Karkathiokerta. This had to be removed, and it took a couple of seasons to scrape together a sufficiently large army to crush it. They had 903 men, including 2 units of Persian archers and a unit of medium cavalry. The pontic army was 1013 strong. Pontic losses were 4. Only 6 rebels got away.

These fantastic disparities in losses are attributed to a strong force of missile troops behind a wall of pikes. If you don't let the enemy anywhere near you, then he can't hurt you.

In 237 BC the army that had been chased from Edessa came back. No reinforcements. bad idea.

Ptolemaioi declared war and a lost an ally in Hayasdan. Hmmm. This must be one of the dumbest things the AI had done in this campaign so far. Any idea what I'll do next? Guesses?

still 237 BC. Karkathiokerta is under siege again... 520 man seleucid army against my 1604 defenders. What are they thinking?!?!? 113 of them got to leave the siege on foot.

487 intrepid seleucids then decided to lay siege to a fort I had placed east of Edessa. A relief army arrived and was generous enough to send all the attackers to Hades. every single one of them. It took a bit of dancing around with my slinger units, but the enemy always managed to present a nice backside target to pelt.

A ptolemaic detachment had been posted north of Tarsos, just south of the border, where a strong detachment of pontic heroes were guarding the pass in a fort. 201 ptolemaic soldiers - the entire detachment - were brought to ambient temperature to no losses of pontic warriors.

[Treverer]

Ptolemaioi declared war and a lost an ally in Hayasdan. Hmmm. This must be one of the dumbest things the AI had done in this campaign so far. Any idea what I'll do next? Guesses?

You mean that Pontos has lost its alliance with the Hai? In this case, pay attention to your border with them. My experience is that they soon send a big expeditionary force to one of your cities.

You might consider sending a diplomat to the Sauromate and trying to gain an alliance/trade rights with them.

Oh, and watch your back! Monitor the Makedons! After all, they are allied to the AS. Though they rarely attack as they are busy with both the KH and Epiros, and the Getai, not to forget. If you haven't already done this, get trade rights with all 4 of them.

Yours, T.

[Sygrod]

Yes, typo. Pontos lost an ally. I think it was Hayasdan, but this happened last week and I could be wrong. I'm catching up reportwise.
Hayasdan do not share a border yet and seem pretty much locked in their original position. Units are huge and that seems to have had an effect on expansion.

I sent diplomats early on and got trade rights from everybody except Casse.

The Makedons have their hands full. They have been almost overrun by Koinon Hellenon. KH are currently laying siege to Pella. Other than that, the Makedonians only have Mytilene and Sardika (N Pella). The large army in Mytilene is kept busy. I have 4 spies there. Every time they try to expand to Pergamum, happiness goes to 55% and they have to return due to riots. Great fun. I have nothing to fear from the Mekedonians. My garrisons in the West can easily deal with their army.

So. Anyone figured out what my response to ptolemaic aggression is going to be?

[Treverer]

Take out Tarsos and Side. Then try to make peace with them. Prepare for an assault on Antiocheia (and Edessa).

... and don't forget to monitor the Hai ! ! They are a number one candidate for backstabbing Pontos.

[Sygrod]

Yup, exactly the plan.

The Hai are actually of little consequence. In my now defunct 0.81a campaign as Pontos, I held them at bay at 2 river crossings. They tried to come across east of Amaseia, but my fort there in the mountain pass stopped that effort. Sinope and Crimea kept them quite busy, otherwise.

I am debating whether to make Antioch government 4 or not. I really want the 3span artillery, and I can only get it in Antiocheia, Mytilene or Sinope, and ONLY with lvl 5 regional MICs

[Treverer]

Yup, exactly the plan.

... I held them at bay at 2 river crossings. They tried to come across east of Amaseia, but my fort there in the mountain pass stopped that effort.

Hmm, that explains it. I've had both Trapezous and Ani-Kamah.

I am debating whether to make Antioch government 4 or not. I really want the 3span artillery, and I can only get it in Antiocheia, Mytilene or Sinope, and ONLY with lvl 5 regional MICs

Where do you need them? Respond to this and your location should be clear.

Yours, T.

[Sygrod]

"Where do you need them? Respond to this and your location should be clear."

Where do I need them? Anywhere I have a strong defensive position with lots of enemy activity. The 3spans are very useful in forts, since the enemy will be within range. A unit of these guys will inflict horrendous casualties. When aimed at a middle rank of three, at least 80% of each salvo strikes home. They are fantastic for taking out archer units without loss. Once I can recruit them I'll recruit at least 3. In a former baktrian campaign they acquitted themselves famously and tilted the battle in my favour before it even started. I'd take out a particularly unpleasant enemy unit before they had a chance to do anything. They are useless in garrisons with stone walls, so the trick is to deploy them with one defensive unit outside town. Preferably where an enemy army will not attack. To route an army laying siege to the city, they are then brought up beside and outside the city walls, with their protection.

I will deal with the Hai if and when they become active. I have spies out their way and will spot any threat early enough to counter it.