Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 30 of 47

Thread: Danish campaign: Lands to Conquer

  1. #1
    Know the dark side Member Askthepizzaguy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Norway
    Posts
    25,830

    Default Danish campaign: Lands to Conquer

    Greetings fellow forum members.

    This thread will attempt to highlight various diplomatic and campaign map strategies for smaller factions who do not have the power to roll up the map from turn one.

    Fans of my previous vanilla blitz campaigns for England, Russia, and Egypt will probably enjoy this campaign.

    The Danes, Lands to Conquer, VeryHard/VeryHard (aka Hurt Me Plenty)

    This campaign will be significantly more difficult than my previous ones, as Lands To Conquer is considered the "fixed" version of M2TW and is much harder to beat. (beat quickly, that is...)

    The Danish strategy will involve sharp diplomatic maneuvers and exponential growth, followed by a sudden, crushing move which obliterates half of Europe.

    Sit down, grab a beverage of your choice, pop some popcorn, and watch the fireworks. Enjoy!

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 




    The opening field for the Danes.

    My analysis:
    With few troops, a single province, and a poor economy, the Danes are in no position to roll up the map just yet. This faction is not a direct threat to anyone, for a sneak attack against their rivals would require the commitment of their entire armed force, with no reserves. A suicidal proposition, perhaps? I think not, against this AI… but if our opponents were competent, it certainly would be a losing proposition.

    Our largest rival and threat lies to the south, the so-called Holy Roman Empire. Their forces are spread out and weak, but they are too large in number and their economy boasts the ability to engage us in a prolonged conflict right from the start. Were they committed to our destruction, they would almost surely have it.

    For now… diplomacy is our greatest weapon. And we have just the emissary to deploy that weapon. Our Princess will engage and defeat the greatest empire in Western Europe, without raising a single sword. Witness the shocking events unfold.



    We have managed to secure a peace with our great nemesis… and so much more. Map exchanges, trade rights, alliances, and three, count them, THREE of their provinces for the bargain basement price of 1000 florins per turn for only 6 short turns. That’s just 2000 florins a province… and they are already making 1861 florins per turn total. In 4 turns, I will have turned a profit on this little exchange.

    I think that our allies are fools. A fool and his empire are soon parted. Not to mention the fact that we have reduced their recruitment capabilities by half, and quadrupled the size of our empire in a single turn.

    With such bold opening moves, you can bet that the rest of the game will not disappoint…



    Still turn one.

    My King recruits a ferry and takes himself much further south this turn than he would have by land. This way we can lay seige to Magdeburg with a full complement of troops and advance towards Prague faster. The mercenary ferry will be disbanded due to it’s upkeep.

    Quite an expensive ferry ride, 1000 florins. I believe it is worth it. You may feel free to disagree.

    Hamburg falls next turn, adding a fifth province by turn two. A rather large jump, wouldn’t you say?



    Observe the money-making power of these recently purchased provinces. Also take note of the fact that the HRE is split in half, and their remaining provinces are pathetic. If you’re looking for AI weaknesses, this would be a rather large one.



    With only 43 troops lost, this battle was easy. Mercenary troops come in handy when you need to seige a settlement. Given our overwhelming 10-3 odds, this was rightfully an auto-resolution battle.

    I prefer to fight pitched battles where my leadership skills are actually needed.



    Magdeburg will be under seige next turn. It is only turn two, and I am already the greatest empire in Western europe.



    A general was adopted this turn. I have declined marriage to a suitor for my princess. She is far too valuable as an emissary. Magdeburg will fall next turn.

    My treasury is almost bare. My mercenary troops desire to be paid… I suppose my only option is to trade on my good name in exchange for florins. More diplomatic strikes are necessary to move forward.



    A diplomat I recruited in 1080 has made it to the british Isles. I have made alliances with the Scots and traded maps and trade rights. I have also secured their loyalties and their treasury in exchange for mere promissory notes to attack their greatest rivals…

    What fools. I have done the same with the Hungarians. They are also our allies and puppets. Their florins are now… mine.



    I have made alliances with the British, the French, and the Milanese. Magdeburg has fallen. Many more promises to attack rivals have been sold to our dimwitted allies.

    Our treasury is now overflowing, and our empire is the richest and most powerful in all of Europe. None dare attack us now. We have too many loyal dogs to unleash upon our enemies.

    I am now eyeing these three rebel settlements. None shall resist the rule of the Danish empire. My adopted general builds an early warning system in preparation of betrayal by our so-called allies, the treacherous Roman empire.

    Our southern states build roads and assemble defensive militia.



    An assembly of militia men meet us in the Prague region. This bloated province is too tempting a treat to pass up.




    Mercenaries and militia men lay seige as our generals ride ahead of our main force, which is too slow to lay seige this turn.

    Prague will fall…

    Sicily, Venice, and Poland have joined our little collective, and their florins have been added to our own. I have also drained the HRE’s coffers by repeatedly offering our assistance to their rivals… those florins I paid for their provinces are now returned to us.

    They have exchanged half of their empire, effectively, for a promise to attack.
    Not just cheap and exploitative… crushingly effective.

    I begin recruiting more troops in all my regions, and I send my scouting diplomats to establish peaceful relations with more factions.

    Their cultures will adapt to service us.



    I have allied myself with the Papal State, and have declared war upon the aggressors who have invaded Christendom.

    Their resistance is futile. Our treasury exceeds 36000 florins… a large army would be easily recruited with such a trove.



    We have assimilated thousands of mercenaries into our empire. Our three generals now command the finest army in the Western world. We now spread out to add more provinces to our collective.

    The Holy Roman Empire now looks small and defenseless compared to us… It has only been six short turns.

    Would that I could end this crusade right now, I would conquer Poland and Hungary, and then the HRE and Italy north. None would be able to resist us.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 




    My Princess, having accomplished her mission of conquest, has now conquered again… this time, she has taken a man’s heart and secured his loyalty to my empire. His distinctiveness will be added to our own.



    Another adopted general has joined the collective… and the crusade in progress. He will raise another mercenary army.



    I advance my armies into Stettin and Vilnius. These provinces are minor, but make excellent bargaining chips with Poland.

    They will become one with us.

    A small note, I have secured maps from France after some negotiation.
    The more knowledge of this sector I can acquire, the more florins I can obtain from selling that knowledge.

    Knowledge is power… knowledge yields coin. Coin yields loyalty. Loyalty yields might. Might leads the way to an expansive empire. Until none can oppose us.



    Advancing our drones west, towards our goal… pushing back the Moorish threat.



    As stettin falls, soon will all of Europe.



    Approaching Vilnius.



    My King eyes Oslo… a trading port with Arhus and Stockholm.



    My horde takes a sudden turn south into Italy and Switzerland. The strategic stronghold of Bern secures my advantage in this region.

    Spain has joined my collective.



    Bern has fallen, and I now wrestle Dijon from the hands of the Milanese, who are too late.

    The moors have agreed to a ceasefire in exchange for maps.
    I will not honor our agreements.



    Advancing further south into Italy.
    A sneak attack into Moorish lands by sea will catch them off-balance.



    A small raider force heads towards Algeria. The Russians have agreed to join our coalition. Soon, the Byzantines will join us.



    More generals are adopted into our collective. They in turn raise a grand army for conquest.

    Oslo has become one with us.

    Our large initial florin reserve is being depleted. There is only one course of action.



    Vilnius continues to resist us. They will fail. Our drones should wear them down, and our elite troops will finish what’s left of them.

    We are the Danes… you will be assimilated. Resistance is futile.



    Death is irrelevant. Our collective has grown.



    Russia will conquer Riga before we do. It is of no concern. Soon the Russians will be crushed and Riga will be part of us. My work here is finished.



    My King, prince, and adopted generals assault in unison against the rebels in Antwerp. Metz is also a part of our empire now.

    The Byzantines have joined our collective.



    Kristoffer is making good progress towards our goal to conquer the Spanish moors.
    All of Europe is now under our sphere of influence. We are the reigning superpower.

    All is going according to plan…



    We have decided to rescind our agreements with the Moors. They will be destroyed.



    Ever more troops join our quest.



    Sicily has betrayed us.

    It is of no concern. They mean to take Corsica and Sardinia. These worthless provinces will not alter the course of events. And the Sicilians will be exterminated for their insolence.

    Our treasury is once again bare, but we now have something far more valuable… power.

    Last edited by Askthepizzaguy; 12-12-2007 at 03:31.
    #Winstontoostrong
    #Montytoostronger

  2. #2
    Know the dark side Member Askthepizzaguy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Norway
    Posts
    25,830

    Default Re: Danish campaign: Lands to Conquer

    Continued...

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 




    The year is 1098… our troops are moving into position.



    Another general joins our cause by demonstrating bravery in battle.

    My generals bring order to chaos… our drones will be much disciplined in battle under their orders.



    I have obtained the Pope’s favor by gifting him Algeria.
    This province is worthless, and a drain on our resources.

    Our armies continue to grow in power. We have begun conquering Iberia. Soon the Moors will be unable to resist. Our allies admire and fear our power.



    In exchange for valuable florins, I hereby relinquish these worthless provinces to England’s care. They will hold them in safe keeping for us to reconquer later.



    France has no idea with whom they are dealing…

    The year is 1099… the new century is upon us. As well as a new era.



    Our supposed allies, the Venetian scum, have also betrayed us.

    These alliances are worth less than the scrolls upon which they are written. I have decided to terminate our alliances with these weak, disorganized, chaotic, and deeply flawed people.

    They will become one with us.



    I have sold Vilnius to the Poles for valuable florins.



    And I have sold Cagliari to the English for more valuable florins. Everything is falling into place.



    The year is 1101… and I grow weary of our rival’s independence.
    Soon, they will join us.



    After securing the alliance of Sicily again, they have betrayed our allies, the English.

    They are not to be trusted anyway. I shall terminate relations with these small creatures.



    I have sold Granada to the Scots. These fools cannot even hold the province, yet they hand me money for it.



    1102ad.
    Cordoba falls to Danish rule.

    A chilly silence follows… a message is transmitted to every single faction in the known world.

    “We are the Borg. You will be assimilated. Your cultures will adapt to service us. Resistance is futile.”



    The venetians have agreed to purchase Cordoba, even though we are at war.

    This allows me to sack it again for more florins. A triple play on a single province. This is why it is useless to resist.



    The French are unable to resist our endless reserve of drones. They will be assimilated.



    The Holy Roman Empire will be crushed with one swift stroke, with only Bologna remaining.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 




    We will repel the invading Venetian army, and sack Cordoba.



    We are the Borg. Lower your shields and prepare for assimilation.



    They are attempting to resist us.



    We will adapt.



    Resistance is futile.



    Their archaic cultures are authority driven. Their leader is about to be assimilated. Their resistance will fail.



    We have sustained damage. Remodulating weapons. They have been assimilated.



    We have captured the Moorish faction leader. Another drone has been added to our collective.



    We have assimilated a French army. Yet another drone has been added to our collective.



    The HRE has been assimilated into our collective. Only Bologna continues to resist us.



    We have taken Cordoba once more.

    Portugal will be assimilated.



    Our Borg resource extractor is performing at a high rate of efficiency.



    The French have been assimilated. Resistance is futile.

    The Turks have been added to our collective.



    Portugal has been fully assimilated into the collective. They no longer resist us.



    We have begun our invasion of England. The French will fall.
    Spain has been invaded by the Borg.

    It is now almost turn 20 and we have control of 22 sectors.

    None will be able to resist us.


    Our quest is only beginning... but the main strategy has been planned and executed perfectly. Now, all that is left is to mop up the mess and crush what's left of Western Europe.

    If you wish to see more of this campaign, or have questions, comments, compliments, or criticisms, please feel free to contribute to this thread.

    Hopefully I'll receive as much positive feedback as I did on my previous campaigns.

    Thanks for reading!

    #Winstontoostrong
    #Montytoostronger

  3. #3
    Throne Room Caliph Senior Member phonicsmonkey's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Cometh the hour, Cometh the Caliph
    Posts
    4,859

    Default Re: Danish campaign: Lands to Conquer

    Nice work pizzaguy, good to see you back with another of these threads..

    ROFLMAO @ selling Granada to the Scots

    frogbeastegg's TWS2 guide....it's here!

    Come to the Throne Room to play multiplayer hotseat campaigns and RPGs in M2TW.

  4. #4
    Know the dark side Member Askthepizzaguy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Norway
    Posts
    25,830

    Default Re: Danish campaign: Lands to Conquer

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 
    Quote Originally Posted by phonicsmonkey
    Nice work pizzaguy, good to see you back with another of these threads..

    ROFLMAO @ selling Granada to the Scots



    Do you sense that the AI needs more tweaking, if they accept such a ridiculous proposal?

    This thread would not be possible without the blatantly stupid deals the AI is willing to make.

    Number one idiotic thing:

    Accepting deals that involve PROMISES to attack another faction.
    If this were a true deal, it would involve an immediate declaration of war.
    Duh.

    Number two:

    Accepting alliances as being generous without any concessions on my side.
    I should have to give tribute first.

    Number three:

    Selling your provinces? To me, of all people???
    For a mere 1000 florins per turn? AND THREE OF THEM???
    Uhhhh.... dumb, dumb, dumb...

    Number four:

    Trusting me to begin with.
    But hey, I did honor all of my agreements until I was betrayed by both Sicily and Venice. Except the ceasefire with the Moors, which is open-ended.

    But I actually like the AI honoring their agreements for the most part.
    It beats the random nonsensical port blockades and suicide attacks with half a stack of peasants.

    I love lands to conquer... it offers a real challenge. But there are still plenty of holes to fill in order to build a more competent foe.

    I know, I know... I should get "Kingdoms" and play against humans. Heard it before.

    Not right now. Ever since I got LTC I haven't touched vanilla. Mind if I play with this one until I tire of it first?
    #Winstontoostrong
    #Montytoostronger

  5. #5
    Throne Room Caliph Senior Member phonicsmonkey's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Cometh the hour, Cometh the Caliph
    Posts
    4,859

    Default Re: Danish campaign: Lands to Conquer

    yeah, the AI is stoooopid when it comes to diplomacy

    In this case it looks like simple maths should have meant the HRE wanting a higher price for their three settlements - I found in my Moors campaign that the AI consistently undervalued settlements.

    I mean, they're the means to win the game!

    so if you're giving one up you better get a great price for it, allowing you 1) compensation for the loss of income, training capabilities etc and 2) the means to get another one somewhere else, or more than one pretty soon afterward

    otherwise selling a settlement makes no strategic sense

    Interesting that you were able to get such a good price for selling promises to attack other factions..did you ever try that in vanilla as well, or is it just a LTC thing?
    frogbeastegg's TWS2 guide....it's here!

    Come to the Throne Room to play multiplayer hotseat campaigns and RPGs in M2TW.

  6. #6
    Know the dark side Member Askthepizzaguy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Norway
    Posts
    25,830

    Default Re: Danish campaign: Lands to Conquer

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 
    Quote Originally Posted by phonicsmonkey
    yeah, the AI is stoooopid when it comes to diplomacy

    In this case it looks like simple maths should have meant the HRE wanting a higher price for their three settlements - I found in my Moors campaign that the AI consistently undervalued settlements.

    I mean, they're the means to win the game!

    so if you're giving one up you better get a great price for it, allowing you 1) compensation for the loss of income, training capabilities etc and 2) the means to get another one somewhere else, or more than one pretty soon afterward

    otherwise selling a settlement makes no strategic sense

    Interesting that you were able to get such a good price for selling promises to attack other factions..did you ever try that in vanilla as well, or is it just a LTC thing?


    I'm glad you noticed that I played both sides of the fence when it came to buying real estate.

    Which provinces did I buy?
    The core provinces of the Holy Roman Empire.

    Which provinces did I sell?
    Jack-spit provinces no one should even bother to conquer except me, and even then only for the sake of owning them all.

    Who cares about Vilnius?
    Only Poland or Russia.

    Corsica?
    What a waste of space. Only Sicily should even bother.

    Granada?
    Utterly useless to everyone except the Moors, and even then, only because it's a starting province of theirs and a castle.

    Cordoba?
    Don't buy it if you can't properly garrison it.

    Look, I got money for sacking it, and I got money from selling off its buildings. Then I got money for selling the province itself. Then I got money for sacking it again because I was at war with the idiots and they did not defend it.

    Uhhh... is anyone home? That's insane. You couldn't get any more blood from that stone. Except maybe by selling it off again and then sacking it again.

    Gee... that gives me ideas...

    So I spent as few florins as possible grabbing major provinces in the opening moves. Then I got all that money back from selling agreements to attack their rivals. Idiots.

    The whole point of selling your land is to have money to recruit a large enough army to destroy enemies yourself.

    What kind of idiot would you be to then turn me into your autonomous mercenary army? I own your land and your money. All you have is MY good will.

    Guess what? I kept my word. I did attack everyone. Just not the way they intended me to. And I attacked them as well.

    Bwahahaha!

    Last edited by Askthepizzaguy; 12-12-2007 at 05:15.
    #Winstontoostrong
    #Montytoostronger

  7. #7
    Throne Room Caliph Senior Member phonicsmonkey's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Cometh the hour, Cometh the Caliph
    Posts
    4,859

    Default Re: Danish campaign: Lands to Conquer

    yeah, I've almost stopped using diplomacy it's so easy to exploit

    In my crusades campaign as Byzantium:

    Problem: Victory condition says kill all Turks, hold Antioch, Babylon, Alexandria. Turks in Asia Minor all dead, don't feel like warring against Antioch and KoJ (allies) to get to the rest

    Solution: Trade map information and 30k florins for alliance with Antioch, military access AND their top level castle at Mosul.

    March 5 stacks across Antioch lands, beat up on turks, beat up on Mongols (not strictly necessary but what the hey), turn around, march 6 stacks back to Antioch, take the city, fight off waves of half-stack Antioch armies for what seems like an eternity.

    Later, buy Alexandria from Egypt for 100k plus a five or six useless provinces, hold for ten turns and win.

    Also, the best opening move as Venice is to buy Bologna from the HRE for 6000 - seems like a high price at the time, but boy does it pay itself off quickly, and stops you from insta-war with the HRE
    frogbeastegg's TWS2 guide....it's here!

    Come to the Throne Room to play multiplayer hotseat campaigns and RPGs in M2TW.

  8. #8
    Merciless Mauler Member TheLastPrivate's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    South Korea
    Posts
    336

    Default Re: Danish campaign: Lands to Conquer

    How much did you lose due to desertino when ur army marched up to riga? I thought the penalty for marching away from the crusade direction, even if just for a turn, was pretty bad...


    Gae Ma Ki Byung:
    Possibly the earliest full-armored heavy cavalry in human history, deployed by the Goguryeo from the 3rd century A.D.

  9. #9
    kwait nait Member Monsieur Alphonse's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Groningen
    Posts
    928

    Default Re: Danish campaign: Lands to Conquer

    Even in Kingdoms you can do this. In the Americas campaign I (New Spain)bought all starting regions of the Aztecs in exchange for an alliance and some money. In one move the Aztecs lost all their regions except their capital. Nice alliance with those stinking white guys that are here to conquer your lands and your women.
    Tosa Inu

  10. #10
    Know the dark side Member Askthepizzaguy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Norway
    Posts
    25,830

    Default Re: Danish campaign: Lands to Conquer



    It seems as though the experienced members of the forum are aware of diplomacy tactics.

    Well done!

    Hopefully this thread will at least offer encouragement to newcomers.
    Fortunately I do not think so highly of myself to think that my tactics are unique or novel, merely executed well.



    Losses due to desertion?

    While it wouldn't have been much of a factor anyway, given the ability to recruit mercenaries so readily and my massive florin count, you can avoid ALL loss to desertion during the beginning of crusades.

    Just leave the crusade, and then join it. Can't do it after the time limit expires... but for ten turns or so, it's an easy way to march your endless crusader horde in any direction.

    Even in Lands To Conquer, this loophole hasn't been plugged.

    Oops!

    Unfairness alert! Unfairness alert!

    I'm not playing fairly. So long as I don't hack the game files, the purpose of this particular campaign is to showcase how you can easily roll up the computer, using all available legal tactics.

    If one can cause entire empires to rebel with spies (unrealistic) and trade half of their empire for a pittance of florins (unrealistic) then surely I can march my armies in a given direction.

    I think we're past that point of trying to make it fair for the AI. This one's about demolishing them quickly and as brutally as possible. Establishing an upper limit to how strongly you can possibly play without actually hacking the game or using cheat codes.

    If anyone is that ambitious, I wouldn't mind seeing others in action, brutalizing all opposing factions as quickly as possible. I warn you, these threads take a LOT of effort to design and post.
    Last edited by Askthepizzaguy; 12-12-2007 at 07:20.
    #Winstontoostrong
    #Montytoostronger

  11. #11
    blaaaaaaaaaarg! Senior Member Lusted's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Posts
    1,773

    Default Re: Danish campaign: Lands to Conquer

    Very interesting askthepizzaguy, i woul really love to see you redo this once i get out the next version of Lands to Conquer as i've improved campaign AI and diplomacy somewhat since the version you're playing(eg. 2 major revisions to both). Though it is for Kingdoms so you would need to buy it in order to play the next version whenever i get it out, should be soon as i'm very happy with the new campaign AI and diplomacy.

  12. #12

    Default Re: Danish campaign: Lands to Conquer

    Wow,that's nice blitz campaign.Continue please.

  13. #13
    Know the dark side Member Askthepizzaguy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Norway
    Posts
    25,830

    Default Re: Danish campaign: Lands to Conquer

    Quote Originally Posted by Lusted
    Very interesting askthepizzaguy, i woul really love to see you redo this once i get out the next version of Lands to Conquer as i've improved campaign AI and diplomacy somewhat since the version you're playing(eg. 2 major revisions to both). Though it is for Kingdoms so you would need to buy it in order to play the next version whenever i get it out, should be soon as i'm very happy with the new campaign AI and diplomacy.
    Strictly speaking it will most likely be impossible to do this (as I have done it, that is) once you fix the game.

    This banks entirely on the diplomacy exploit.

    I was able to acquire in the neighborhood of 80000 florins or more total from the AI. If you can't roll up the map with that much cash, and 3 additional starting provinces, you're a shameful player.

    Honestly, the game is much harder if you avoid exploiting the game loopholes.

    This is merely to showcase what is possible on the version I am using, which very well may be the first version of LTC or perhaps one upgrade thereof.
    And also to show newbies what aggression, rather than slow turtling, can accomplish.

    More likely I will download the final upgrade to vanilla and play with that, then go get kingdoms.

    Sorry guys, I like to savor these games! I was barely talked into LTC to begin with, now I'm savoring it until I am ready to try the next version.
    Last edited by Askthepizzaguy; 12-13-2007 at 00:01.
    #Winstontoostrong
    #Montytoostronger

  14. #14
    Know the dark side Member Askthepizzaguy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Norway
    Posts
    25,830

    Default Re: Danish campaign: Lands to Conquer

    Quote Originally Posted by Dragunija
    Wow,that's nice blitz campaign.Continue please.
    Very well. Even if it's just for you and phonicsmonkey to enjoy.
    #Winstontoostrong
    #Montytoostronger

  15. #15
    blaaaaaaaaaarg! Senior Member Lusted's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Posts
    1,773

    Default Re: Danish campaign: Lands to Conquer

    Well the fix to AI giving cities easily will be in the next version of LTC, the current one does have better campaign AI though which will defend better, and attack more with more built up armies.

    Oh, and i've reduced the amount you get from sacking/exterminating.

  16. #16
    Know the dark side Member Askthepizzaguy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Norway
    Posts
    25,830

    Default Re: Danish campaign: Lands to Conquer

    Quote Originally Posted by Lusted
    Well the fix to AI giving cities easily will be in the next version of LTC, the current one does have better campaign AI though which will defend better, and attack more with more built up armies.

    Oh, and i've reduced the amount you get from sacking/exterminating.

    Amazingly Lusted, I did not begin sacking until after I did my massive betrayal.

    This particular blitz campaign did not require any sacking florins or exterminations to come about.
    I preferred to maintain my "trustworthy" reputation, which is impossible if you sack everything. Even rebels.

    But thank you, the sacking exploit is also well documented by me, and closing that path to victory ensures a harder time for would-be-conquerors.

    I would prefer, alternatively, that we beef up the Ai's ability to recruit and build up their cities, and field better, more competent armies.

    I would prefer it if we left the rewards for sacking alone, because indeed it is realistic to cripple the opponent's economy and beef up your own when you sack. The Vikings lived off of pillaging. It should be so with this game.

    But make it harder to do so. Make the enemy put up a better fight.
    My two cents.
    #Winstontoostrong
    #Montytoostronger

  17. #17
    Know the dark side Member Askthepizzaguy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Norway
    Posts
    25,830

    Default Re: Danish campaign: Lands to Conquer

    To whom it may concern...

    you can get approximately 1500 florins from your rivals (if their treasury is meager or better) for selling promises to attack a single faction. I have managed to get up to 2500 if their treasury is massive.

    You may need to reduce it to 1000 or even 800 if they are meager or bankrupt. And you cannot be demanding or have just offered them a deal they declined because they werent interested, or else they close negotiations.

    The computer will always accept a better deal than they offer you. Negotiate until you find the right balance between greedy and super-greedy.

    Get weak, do-nothing (in the early game) provinces and sell them to your rivals for as many florins UP FRONT as they are willing to pay.

    Turn the tide in your favor and do not let them ever have the ability to use even that weak province against you. Usually it should be one that is useless to you, unprofitable, and far from your core provinces, and even better, easy to sack again soon through betrayal.

    Also, sell to a faction you are at war with. Sack it right back with the troops you had garrisoning it, if possible. Remember, your reputation takes a hit.

    This is for after you've abandoned such concepts as reputation.

    PS Lusted, if you do end up giving the AI factions more money, tell them to spend it. Otherwise I will negotiate and give them something useless for it, and I will use that as an additional income source. Unless you go as far as to break diplomacy by making it unreasonable on very hard/very hard (which is an option, but keep it in the realm of reality for hard/hard).
    Last edited by Askthepizzaguy; 12-13-2007 at 00:21.
    #Winstontoostrong
    #Montytoostronger

  18. #18
    Know the dark side Member Askthepizzaguy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Norway
    Posts
    25,830

    Default Re: Danish campaign: Lands to Conquer

    Update:

    THE NEW ERA: Post 1102 AD

    The Borg Empire

    As predicted, our collective went roughly 20,000 florins in debt after the crusades. Iberia proved a challenge to conquer, and holding the territories was nigh impossible without losing bundles of florins per turn.

    We have amassed an army of 6 full stacks, including my invincible King and heir, in the middle of France, but his holy moley-ness has put a stop to my slaughter of the English and the French under threat of excommunication.

    If I disobey, I can easily (and I mean easily) pulverize the Spanish, French, English, Milanese, and Venice. However, I will lose most of my provinces to rebellion, and cause high amounts of heresy.

    In other words, I can obliterate my enemies, but lose most of my empire in the process, probably leading me to disband most of my military.

    I will remain a very strong faction, and I will have the most powerful, tightly formed couple of stacks of troops in the land. Reconquest will be a simple matter, as rebels don't counterattack.

    Hungary and Poland will backstab me, and I may not be able to hold Vienna. This means I will have to face an invasion on that front. And I will have to redeploy at least half of my armed force to that sector to prevent more permanent damage.

    The Borg have decimated the entire Western half of the board, but are unable to complete the conquest at this time. We must fall back and regenerate.

    The next few decades must be handled with care. Not only are we on the Pope's bad side, but being excommunicated would probably mean facing crusades.

    But as I said, we have not chosen to be excommunicated yet.

    This presents a challenge... due to our lack of resources, and our inability to continue our current attack on France because of the Pope, my alternative strategem is to disband massive amounts of troops and sell off unprofitable regions.

    At this point, we cannot afford excommunication. However, we are a mighty empire and we can still field the greatest army in the West. However, this new reformed Borg army will be roughly one third the size it currently is.

    This will make forward progress slow, but stable, and allow us to regain necessary resources to sustain our massive territory.

    So, Lands to Conquer has proven to be a challenge, even in the face of our total military domination. The economic/public order side of the game has finally caught up with us.

    For now, the Borg must remain relatively dormant, and enter our regeneration phase.

    We will be able to defend and attack with the force we currently have, and our rivals, the Spanish, French, English, Moors, Milan, Venice, Hungary, and Poland will be unable to reconquer territory.

    Once we have finished regenerating, we will begin another, more devastating assault. The blitz has run it's course, but we have won the overall war decisively.

    Our new strategy will involve destroying our enemies' shield matrix. We will begin devising strategies for assaulting walls and opening gates in a single turn, such that there will be no more relevant Papal interference. Ballistae, Catapults, and spies will be our new weapon.

    By the time I am warned about excommunication, entire empires will lay in ruin. And we will continue to assimilate their cultures into our collective.

    Though powerful enough to destroy any foe, the Borg must now turn to bringing order to chaos within the collective before we can continue our assault into the Alpha quadrant.

    =========================

    POLL QUESTION

    Which would you rather see:

    1. Excommunication of the Borg and chaos in Europe, slaughter and rebellion, causing the weakening of the collective and their enemies? (Resistance against the Borg)

    2. Or the Borg solidifying their advantages and regenerating, which will inaugurate a small era of peace and recovery for all parties, ultimately bringing about a new Borg threat and the total destruction and assimilation of all species? (Total Borg domination... resistance is futile!)

    Since I've accomplished all of my goals for this mission, which is to demonstrate the power of diplomacy, crusades, and blitzes, I am quite content to have fun with the end of this game.

    You can help determine the fate of all Europe...

    Attack, or Regenerate?

    #Winstontoostrong
    #Montytoostronger

  19. #19
    Throne Room Caliph Senior Member phonicsmonkey's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Cometh the hour, Cometh the Caliph
    Posts
    4,859

    Default Re: Danish campaign: Lands to Conquer

    Attack! Attack! Attack!

    I want to see whether it's possible to actually lose a campaign...I suspect you will ride out the storm and emerge the victor

    the other option sounds boring and is the stage at which I would quit most campaigns - you know full well you can win and it's just a matter of time and patience *yawn*
    frogbeastegg's TWS2 guide....it's here!

    Come to the Throne Room to play multiplayer hotseat campaigns and RPGs in M2TW.

  20. #20
    Merciless Mauler Member TheLastPrivate's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    South Korea
    Posts
    336

    Default Re: Danish campaign: Lands to Conquer

    For us enjoying your visual guides, the answer would of course be attack and face crusades!!!

    Attack!!


    Gae Ma Ki Byung:
    Possibly the earliest full-armored heavy cavalry in human history, deployed by the Goguryeo from the 3rd century A.D.

  21. #21
    Know the dark side Member Askthepizzaguy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Norway
    Posts
    25,830

    Default Re: Danish campaign: Lands to Conquer

    Quote Originally Posted by phonicsmonkey
    Attack! Attack! Attack!

    I want to see whether it's possible to actually lose a campaign...I suspect you will ride out the storm and emerge the victor

    the other option sounds boring and is the stage at which I would quit most campaigns - you know full well you can win and it's just a matter of time and patience *yawn*
    I appreciate the vote of confidence, my friend.

    However, I will lose every province except for my core provinces, and go deeply into debt. I mean deeply into debt. How does -100,000 florins sound? That's just for starters.

    Next, I will be the target of a crusade in several turns, as every catholic faction turns it's might against me.

    Next, my conquering armies will have been depleted, and there will be no such thing as reinforcements or reserves.

    It will take a LOOONG time to recover from such a blunder. I would have to do what I was going to do anyway, which is disband my armies and finally turn a profit.

    Looks like under such uninspired leadership, the danes will be reduced to their starting provinces and a single stack of troops.

    Not very threatening, at all. Not to mention ruined reputation and papal disapproval. There won't be much of a recovery... it will be slow and painful.

    By the time I become a mid-level faction again, the Mongols will have arrived.
    I won't lose the campaign, as it's entirely possible for me to take the neccessary provinces and win game conditions before time expires. However, such a silly move will set me back by three decades.

    I will tell you what, I will post both versions of events.
    I have all of the save files.

    This could be an excellent challenge scenario:
    Danes get excommunicated. How can they hold onto their empire? I'll post the save file for everyone who wants to accept the challenge.
    #Winstontoostrong
    #Montytoostronger

  22. #22
    Senior Member Senior Member Yeti Sports 1.5 Champion, Snowboard Slalom Champion, Monkey Jump Champion, Mosquito Kill Champion Csargo's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    Vote:Sasaki
    Posts
    13,331

    Default Re: Danish campaign: Lands to Conquer

    Excommunication of course. I'm a turtler, so I find your blitzing amazing
    Quote Originally Posted by Sooh View Post
    I wonder if I can make Csargo cry harder by doing everyone but his ISO.

  23. #23
    Know the dark side Member Askthepizzaguy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Norway
    Posts
    25,830

    Default Re: Danish campaign: Lands to Conquer

    Quote Originally Posted by TheLastPrivate
    For us enjoying your visual guides, the answer would of course be attack and face crusades!!!

    Attack!!
    Strictly speaking, the 'guide' part is over.

    Getting excommunicated and posting the results would fall under the category of a guide for what NOT to do with your campaign. LOL

    Very well... looks like I will have to get pounded by rebellions and crusades for your amusement.
    #Winstontoostrong
    #Montytoostronger

  24. #24
    Know the dark side Member Askthepizzaguy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Norway
    Posts
    25,830

    Default Re: Danish campaign: Lands to Conquer

    Quote Originally Posted by Ichigo
    Excommunication of course. I'm a turtler, so I find your blitzing amazing
    Well the events following my excommunication won't be "amazing"... unless you mean amazingly bad! LOL

    I've done enough playing for today, I'll have to continue the campaign tomorrow.
    #Winstontoostrong
    #Montytoostronger

  25. #25

    Default Re: Danish campaign: Lands to Conquer

    I vote for turtling and regenerating.Well,i'm myself is a turtle an blitz only then i need it.Since i usually like to build up economy and use high-tech armies.

  26. #26
    Know the dark side Member Askthepizzaguy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Norway
    Posts
    25,830

    Default Re: Danish campaign: Lands to Conquer

    Quote Originally Posted by Dragunija
    I vote for turtling and regenerating.Well,i'm myself is a turtle an blitz only then i need it.Since i usually like to build up economy and use high-tech armies.
    A very sensible plan. One I would choose if I were in it to win it. This time, anyway. In vanilla there was no need to EVER put your foot on the brakes. The more provinces you rolled up, the more armies you could field, hence the more provinces you could roll up. And so on.

    This time, cooler heads will prevail. And for fans like yourself who actually want to see victory, I will also be posting the real results of the campaign after avoiding certain excommunication, mass rebellion, and the destruction of my greater empire.

    This way there's something for everyone.

    Do I get any kind of credit for being entertaining? Someone nominate me for something.

    #Winstontoostrong
    #Montytoostronger

  27. #27
    kwait nait Member Monsieur Alphonse's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Groningen
    Posts
    928

    Default Re: Danish campaign: Lands to Conquer

    I nominate you for pizza delivery boy of the month.

    I think that your blitzkrieg is based upon two things: you get to much money out of the AI (diplomatic deals or sacking) and an abundance of to powerful mercs. Although you won a victory with cheap militia your main campaign was won with crusader mercenaries, mercenary spearmen and mercenary crossbows. These last two are much to powerful in the early game. I think that Lusted has to do something as well about them to stop speeders like you from blitzing.

    So keep on turtling and create some order in Europe
    Tosa Inu

  28. #28
    Know the dark side Member Askthepizzaguy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Norway
    Posts
    25,830

    Default Re: Danish campaign: Lands to Conquer

    Quote Originally Posted by Monsieur Alphonse
    I nominate you for pizza delivery boy of the month.

    I think that your blitzkrieg is based upon two things: you get to much money out of the AI (diplomatic deals or sacking) and an abundance of to powerful mercs. Although you won a victory with cheap militia your main campaign was won with crusader mercenaries, mercenary spearmen and mercenary crossbows. These last two are much to powerful in the early game. I think that Lusted has to do something as well about them to stop speeders like you from blitzing.

    So keep on turtling and create some order in Europe
    Thank you. I nominate you most tolerable French person of the month.


    Yes, secondarily, my blitz strategy is based upon florins to be gained from assaults or diplomatic maneuvering.

    However, primarily, my strategy is based upon assembling the mightiest force I can afford, even going into debt if neccessary, and then assaulting my enemies at their weakest point, thus assuring victory and forward progress in the campaign.

    In The Long Road mod, I was able to blitz successfully with:
    1. pitiful amounts of sacking florins... more useful actually to leave the town intact
    2. poor starting economy... most towns could barely afford the militias to defend themselves
    3. No crusades. Took too long to get to the Pope, and with the cities so far apart and public order/economic bonuses so terrible with distance, it truly was a waste of time to crusade
    4. AI did not give me any money via diplomacy. They didn't have any to begin with.

    So, therefore, I merely did what my core blitzing strategy involves... under-defending my core provinces and assaulting with every soldier I can muster against poorly defended rebel settlements and weak AI faction provinces.

    Eventually, I become much stronger than the AI, which is usually still in turtle mode. Since they are busy defending, they haven't the resources to attack me. Thus the defenders are unnecessary.

    Against a human, maybe defenders would be necessary... but the AI still hasn't mastered building up assaulting forces quickly and attacking without mercy. Therefore blitzing always sends the AI scurrying. At least, on the games and versions I've played.

    So it may look like I rely on sacking florins and diplomacy to win... but those just add fuel to the fire. I am perfectly capable of winning without them, as I will show Lusted as soon as he fixes the sacking/diplomacy to be less exploitative. Thus, giving me a true challenge.

    I think too many people turned away from The Long Road because of how difficult that game was in the beginning. But frankly, that's the level of difficulty it takes to really put a damper on this author's blitzkreig. Slows me down, but still doesn't stop it.

    I might have to post a Long Road blitz campaign one of these days, as I'm sure some will demand to see proof of such a thing.

    EDIT: You know, after re-reading this, it almost sounds as if I'm one of those characters from that South Park episode that are so self-congratulatory that they spend all day sniffing their own farts.

    I'm actually not like that. And you're gonna have to trust me on that. I'm not sure how else I can explain it.

    <----Me
    Last edited by Askthepizzaguy; 12-13-2007 at 09:37.
    #Winstontoostrong
    #Montytoostronger

  29. #29
    Makedonios Ksanthopoulos Member Privateerkev's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    In the middle of a vast sea of corn...
    Posts
    5,112

    Default Re: Danish campaign: Lands to Conquer

    Quote Originally Posted by askthepizzaguy
    Very well. Even if it's just for you and phonicsmonkey to enjoy.
    Nah, I'm sure there was more than that watching.

    I enjoyed the Borg story by the way. Next-gen was always my favorite of the Star Treks...


    Knight of the Order of St. John
    Duke of Nicosia

  30. #30
    Merciless Mauler Member TheLastPrivate's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    South Korea
    Posts
    336

    Default Re: Danish campaign: Lands to Conquer

    Quick question: You may have answered this already but how many field battles do you fight it out and how many are AR'ed?

    Is your decision it based on the odds or your army composition?

    I mean, it usually seems to me that unless its a siege battle playing the battle will often give less casualties and capture more prisoners, althogh it can be time consuming...


    Gae Ma Ki Byung:
    Possibly the earliest full-armored heavy cavalry in human history, deployed by the Goguryeo from the 3rd century A.D.

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Single Sign On provided by vBSSO