Archived: HRE-campaign in Redux v1004 (Hard)

[Cyprian2]

Nice campaign and description, Stazi. I've often seen this "cold war" type buildup -- with each faction jockeying for a better position at the expense of the rebels. If you make the first move against another Christian (or even Muslim) faction, expect most of your allies to desert you. Yes, those Flemish infantry are quite superb, aren't they? Personally, I've found royal spearman to be overpriced and underperforming by comparison. They always seem to die in droves, while doing no more damage, seemingly, than the less professional units such as Frankish spearmen. Flemish spears, when you can get them, are the way to go.

Saracens in Sicily, Naples and even Sardinia is fairly common but Ireland and Wales – not so much.

I've also seen the Saracens take Ireland and Wales — (in 1003, Saracen-held Ireland became the target of my holy French crusade). And, yeah, not having the Sicilians in game leaves an interesting vacuum in Southern Italy and the coastal islands, which is most often exploited by one of the Muslim factions.

By the way, have there been any crusades yet, Stazi? (I'm guessing not.) Maybe the HRE can be the first to bring the glory of the cross to those benighted arabs. **Heavy sarcasm here**

The fleet-craze…

If nothing else this is good example of “the why” rebel-fleets are an important element to the game and its dynamics, especially at start up. I suspect that all this will end or change eventually once the wars break out, much like yourself (as I understand it).

Ha, ha! I feel vindicated! Indeed, even with rebel fleets set to max, there will eventually be a build-up of sea power by the other factions. But it will take much longer… I am curious, Axalon, about what was changed in the current build to make rebels train less fleets? Is it something to do with faction personality? Is it difficult to change back?

100 Frankish crossbowmen units can be very effective in defence when placed on high ground. In particular if you can cover them with heavy imperial guard and other good troops. They cut through the attacking forces.

Agreed. Again, going back to my French campaign in 1003, I found that the Frankish xbows packed more or less the same (devastating) punch as the heavy xbows, but for much less $$. As Zarakas says, placed on higher ground and defended properly with spears and/or heavy cav, those guys can rain death on approaching enemy ranks.

[I] I take it that you don't use any mercenaries?

This is an important question. I haven't played enough of 1004 to now whether the roster has changed at all, but it might be worth opening a separate thread to discuss mercenaries in Redux. What does everyone think? Do you use mercenary eliteguard? Mercenary cavalry or spears? What about those small-sized, but potentially deadly, mercenary archer units?

Personally, I only use mercenaries as a last resort. They are expensive to hire and retain, and I also consider it a mild form of cheating, since the AI never hires any. That said, my Christian kings have often kept a contingent of eliteguard around them, just in case...