Mongol Invasion!

**ReluctantSamurai** · 02-06-2009, 00:05

The Sengoku period seems to be getting well covered so I thought to do something different...................Mongol Invasion!
I haven't played this in a long time and always got my butt handed to me, and that on normal difficulty, IIRC. So it's time to give this another whirl

MONGOL INVASION---Hojo---hard

The failure of the Divine Wind to stop the Mongols results in this....

https://imgcash4.imageshack.us/Himg4...=640&ysize=480
http://imgcash5.imageshack.us/Himg33...=640&ysize=480

I beat a hasty retreat and raze Hizen, which can't be held in any event. The Mongols are quick to move.....
http://imgcash5.imageshack.us/Himg20...=640&ysize=480
https://imgcash6.imageshack.us/Himg4...=640&ysize=480

The purpose of this bridge defense is to cause as much damage as possible before withdrawing, as I doubt my troops can hold.

The first part of the battle is going as planned.
https://imgcash2.imageshack.us/Himg4...=640&ysize=480
https://imgcash2.imageshack.us/Himg2...=640&ysize=480

My archers are out of arrows......it's time to withdraw. Most of the mongol troops are on the other side of the bridge except for one small contingent just this side of it. The boundary is close behind and I'm already congratulating myself for near-perfect execution of my battle-plan.
http://imgcash1.imageshack.us/Himg41...=640&ysize=480

Until......................
https://imgcash6.imageshack.us/Himg2...=640&ysize=480

If you've played MI before you know all about these guys.....Mongol Light Cavalry. Damn I hate these things. In the words of Muhammed Ali: "Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee." They're faster than Yari Cav, have a longer range than Cav Archers, and have melee stats that enable them to go hand-to-hand when necessary.

They harass my rear-guard and the line starts to waver.....
https://imgcash2.imageshack.us/Himg2...=640&ysize=480

........resulting in this.......
https://imgcash4.imageshack.us/Himg2...=640&ysize=480

Still, I rate the defense as a success with a 3 to 1 kill ratio.

The Mongols are on the move again and I fully expect to have to withdraw from Kyushu entirely. But I have to make them pay for their gains so I attempt to defend where I have the possibility of causing lots of casualties.
https://imgcash4.imageshack.us/Himg2...=640&ysize=480

Did I mention that I hate Mongol Light Cavalry?
http://imgcash5.imageshack.us/Himg20...=640&ysize=480

I have a good defensive position, however, and the ashi x-bowmen wreak havoc............
https://imgcash6.imageshack.us/Himg1...=640&ysize=480

Unfortunately, I don't have any cavalry to run down routers............
https://imgcash6.imageshack.us/Himg4...=640&ysize=480

Nasu Motunaga has held, and the Mongols are dealt their first defeat.....
https://imgcash4.imageshack.us/Himg1...=640&ysize=480

The Mongols occupy the empty province of Hizen.
https://imgcash4.imageshack.us/Himg2...=640&ysize=480

Time to deal with some ronin.......
https://imgcash2.imageshack.us/Himg1...=640&ysize=480

The chase, and victory.......
https://imgcash3.imageshack.us/Himg1...=640&ysize=480
https://imgcash4.imageshack.us/Himg1...=640&ysize=480

........which earns me this.......
https://imgcash2.imageshack.us/Himg2...=640&ysize=480

...........and two promotions.
https://imgcash3.imageshack.us/Himg2...=640&ysize=480
https://imgcash2.imageshack.us/Himg2...=640&ysize=480

Harvest time...things are looking up.
https://imgcash2.imageshack.us/Himg2...=640&ysize=480

**Sasaki Kojiro** · 02-06-2009, 00:24

Nice...see if you can confine them to kyushu...

**ReluctantSamurai** · 02-06-2009, 00:32

Time to deal with more ronin.......
https://imgcash6.imageshack.us/Himg2...=640&ysize=480

You'd think this cavalry sandwich would result in a rout?!?
https://imgcash3.imageshack.us/Himg2...=640&ysize=480

My infantry chases the rebel archers......
https://imgcash3.imageshack.us/Himg5...=640&ysize=480

The rebel general STILL hasn't gone down

http://imgcash5.imageshack.us/Himg29...=640&ysize=480

Finally

**ReluctantSamurai** · 02-06-2009, 01:02

As expected...........
https://imgcash4.imageshack.us/Himg2...=640&ysize=480

I really thought I had a good shot at holding this.....most of my troops are on the hill and tucked into the woods..............until my right-flank gives way.............
https://imgcash2.imageshack.us/Himg2...=640&ysize=480
https://imgcash2.imageshack.us/Himg2...=640&ysize=480

..............with predictable results.............
http://imgcash1.imageshack.us/Himg29...=640&ysize=480
https://imgcash2.imageshack.us/Himg2...=640&ysize=480

Also expected........
http://imgcash1.imageshack.us/Himg41...=640&ysize=480

With the loss in Bungo, however, this is now a fight to the death as Nasu has nowhere to retreat.

But Nasu hangs tough, though once again the lack of cavalry precludes chasing routers........
http://imgcash5.imageshack.us/Himg24...=640&ysize=480
http://imgcash5.imageshack.us/Himg24...=640&ysize=480
https://imgcash3.imageshack.us/Himg2...=640&ysize=480

So I lose the battle I expected to win, and win one that I expected to lose. Go figure..............

However...........
https://imgcash3.imageshack.us/Himg2...=640&ysize=480

And now this...........
https://imgcash2.imageshack.us/Himg2...=640&ysize=480

I did mention that I hate Mongol Light Cavalry, right?
http://imgcash5.imageshack.us/Himg52...=640&ysize=480

But the fog, the archery, and the steep hill prove too much for the Mongols....
http://imgcash5.imageshack.us/Himg51...=640&ysize=480

And again the lack of cavalry prevents me from inflicting higher casualties. I wonder if Mongols can be bribed

https://imgcash3.imageshack.us/Himg5...=640&ysize=480
http://imgcash5.imageshack.us/Himg52...=640&ysize=480

Nasu is tested once again. The Mongols make a half-hearted attempt at my Daimyo but called off the attack.
https://imgcash4.imageshack.us/Himg5...=640&ysize=480

What a surprise.....lots of Mongol Light Cav.................

https://imgcash3.imageshack.us/Himg1...=640&ysize=480

But Nasu holds and is promoted once again.
https://imgcash3.imageshack.us/Himg5...=640&ysize=480
https://imgcash3.imageshack.us/Himg5...=640&ysize=480

As is Ogasawara in Higo.
https://imgcash4.imageshack.us/Himg2...=640&ysize=480

I have to protect the dojo's in Satsuma, however, so Ogasawara has to withdraw............
https://imgcash3.imageshack.us/Himg5...=640&ysize=480

Meanwhile, there's trouble brewing in the hinterlands..................
https://imgcash2.imageshack.us/Himg2...=640&ysize=480

**patdj** · 02-06-2009, 10:10

Going nicely. BTW: what do you think of Mongol Light Cavalry? They are superb, aren't they? :D

I once had a try on this and was overrun in the first year. I'm taking notes how to do better next time.

**zyxophoj** · 02-06-2009, 10:26

Everyone hates the Mongol light cavalry. Ashi crossbowmen are the key to beating them - it's not at all unusual for them to get over 100 kills in one battle.

The thing I really hate about the Mongols is the bridge battles where it seems like you're winning - and then the Mongol reinforcements appear on your side of the bridge. Argh!

**Noir** · 02-06-2009, 11:17

The only unit i dislike more than MLC (due to being overpowered) are the ashigaru xbows - not just fiction but bad fiction too.

The japanese roster needed a full overhaul in order to be set against the mongols in the 13th century. Yari samurai didnt exist as a unit then - neither Naginata samurai and as mentioned the ashigaru xbows are a fantasy unit too, as well as the yari cavalry.

Noir