Extended Cultures Discussion

[Sar1n]

*checks stats*

Where can I get bosporan thorakitai? They look cool, with AP axes as melee weapon they're better than kardakes swordsmen. But I'm not fond of Galatians, they don't listen to orders and don't have ranged weapon.

[Zarax]

They can be recruited from the greek colonies in Crimea.

[Sar1n]

They can be recruited from the greek colonies in Crimea.

That would mean opening a front with Sarmatians as I doubt they'll stay neutral....

But then again, such units, that's called casus belli.

[Zarax]

Mithradates judged the lands worth the effort...

[Stath's]

I want to start a Macedonian campaign. Before that, i want to ask some things.

1) Is it a strong faction? That is to say will the campaign be too easy? I will choose VH campaign, H battles.

2) Is there a text i could read to make a plan about what governments i will build in the cities i will conquer?

3) Is there something else you'd like to comment regarding the best choices someone should make in a Macedonian campaign?

[Petrucci]

I know how to transfer retinue, thank you. No shouting needed.

I had to! I learned that today by accident. I and I'm playing TW games for 10 years. Didn't know if that was a bug or what. Anyway pretty cool thing.

I want to start a Macedonian campaign. Before that, i want to ask some things.

1) Is it a strong faction? That is to say will the campaign be too easy? I will choose VH campaign, H battles.

2) Is there a text i could read to make a plan about what governments i will build in the cities i will conquer?

3) Is there something else you'd like to comment regarding the best choices someone should make in a Macedonian campaign?

Play H/H coz on very hard computer attack you as soon as you get borders. Campaign won't be easy especially first time. I suggest you to try Egypt or Carthago coz they are easiest faction in game ,Macedonia is normally hard and have great unit rooster.
About governments bulidng, you should build Regional Allied Gov in all unimportant city ,also one with good auxilary units and enemies capitals( you can find list of enemies capital 2,or 3 pages back). Economy is really hard in XC, so don't train units unless you really need them.
When playing as Macedon, you should focus on blitzkrieg Greece without taking Rhodes and Crete, coz Egyptian usually go for that islands. When you conquer Greece and some IGSC city on Adriatic sea, focus on bulding your economy and don't invade Asia Minor ,until you are earning enough cash for holding one decent stack to prevent Thracians and Romans from attacking you from behind. Time you invasion to Asia minior with Seleucid wars, if they are wining attack when they are occupied fighting Bactria/Parthia/Armenia. If they are losing, then take remaining IGSC cities and wait for Pontus/Armenia/Egypt/Sarmatia to exhaust themselves in constant wars.
Hope I helped.

[Sar1n]

Macedonia got good roster, but tough starting position. If you manage to deal with that and consolidate greece, Rome will most likely come knocking at your door from the northwest. I'd say that beginning to mid game is hard, late game is easy due to good roster, especially if you take Rhodes and Syracuse, so you have best ranged units (Rhodian slingers and Gastraphetes), best phalanx in game and balanced rest of roster, and access to best upgrades.

About the government, on the first glance it seems complex, but it isn't. When you conquer a town, take a look at two things. First, go to building browser and look what kind of units are available from max tier auxillary barracks if there is something you want. Second, many cities have some kind of special building, like for example oracle of delphi, acropolis of athens, etc...take a look at description of that, if it end with like something like "This building holds special significance to (faction) and its loss would be a crippling blow". If any of these conditions are met, go for regional allied tributary (and after marian reforms, its upgrade). Otherwise, stick with factional government. As was said here...if the town is populated with same culture as yours, leave the government in place unless you want to change its type, if it isn't, demolish it, build occupation and then your colony, then proceed with rebuilding.

[Stath's]

You helped much, thanks

Interesting this piece of info about governments, will keep it in mind.

[alexandru227]

Hi. I'm new to this mod and so far it's been entertaning. I've only started a H/H GCS campaign and it's been easier then i expected. So i need a new challenge .Which are the toughest campaigns i can play. Sirakuse seems difficult enough but i'd like to hear what the more experienced players have to say about this. Thanks you and hope i'm not repeating anyone.

[Zarax]

Pontus, Armenia or Seleucids are quite though.
The first two starts small between hardy adversaries, the latter is a campaign for the micromanagement masters.

[Sar1n]

Pontus is first 50 turns dependant on conflict between Seleucids and Ptolemaics. If they decide to declare truce and take you on instead, you're screwed as you'll be facing two large empires with like four towns with only militia grade troops. If you manage to grab Ionia and most of Asia Minor west of Amasia, you've got good defense position to build up and eventually conquer everything, but for the good part of campaign you'll be relying on militia, mercenary/AoR and bit of native skirmisher/medium cavalry.

[AmirKhan]

Isn't Sarmatia the biggest ******?
I mean like, I NEVAR EVAR managed to even get my treasure out of debt! Even with all my units disbanded it's still a ******, because wages for your generals/family members must be payed and that's enough to give you -216506540654809 after three turns.

Somebody wants a challange? Start Sarmatia at VH/VH. Or atleast at M/M, I DEMAND TO SEE A PERSON HAVING A SMALL SARMATIAN EMPIRE WITHOUT CHEATS.

GO!

(I'm not trying to nag Zarax, just pointing out I have failed play as Sarmatia)

[Zarax]

You gotta use those armies to conquer the map corner.
Basically use up all your starting cash to build in your starting settlements then blitz north and east.
You will SLOWLY get out of debt but be ready to defend mostly with FM.

[Petrucci]

BUMP!

[Ferdiad]

What about bumps.

[Sar1n]

Well, I'll bump this for real then.

I'm thinking of starting Syracuse campaign. Do you have any hints about it, I know I'll plunge hard into debt from the turn 2.

[Total Roach]

Macedonia got good roster, but tough starting position. If you manage to deal with that and consolidate greece, Rome will most likely come knocking at your door from the northwest. I'd say that beginning to mid game is hard, late game is easy due to good roster, especially if you take Rhodes and Syracuse, so you have best ranged units (Rhodian slingers and Gastraphetes), best phalanx in game and balanced rest of roster, and access to best upgrades.

About the government, on the first glance it seems complex, but it isn't. When you conquer a town, take a look at two things. First, go to building browser and look what kind of units are available from max tier auxillary barracks if there is something you want. Second, many cities have some kind of special building, like for example oracle of delphi, acropolis of athens, etc...take a look at description of that, if it end with like something like "This building holds special significance to (faction) and its loss would be a crippling blow". If any of these conditions are met, go for regional allied tributary (and after marian reforms, its upgrade). Otherwise, stick with factional government. As was said here...if the town is populated with same culture as yours, leave the government in place unless you want to change its type, if it isn't, demolish it, build occupation and then your colony, then proceed with rebuilding.

Some things I'd like to say on this. Although it is advisable to build a Regional Allied Tributary in captured cities that contain a faction monument you do not have to and sometimes tactics may require the need for factional barracks for retraining purposes, you always revert later. Also you cannot build a RAT in a city of the same culture, so as Macedon you will find you are unable to build one in Sparta for example. When you do build a RAT in a city with a captured monument DO NOT build any subsequent government building upgrade if you wish to keep the bonus that having the RAT in place gives you.


As for where to build them, I've found that if you are blitzing put RATs in place whilst you secure your ground, or as said you wish some native units. Otherwise I highly recommend you colonise, especially coastal provinces. I know this requires a lot of time and investment but it really pays off late game when Suppanut's traits start kicking in.


Always take Rhodes as fast you can with any faction, don't worry about the Ptolemaic Empire, they field the most useless stacks in the game, once you have Rhodes, leave a sensible garrison and they'll never take it back, if you are strong enough at sea you can sink any approaching invader anyway.

Good luck all

[karan42]

I would like to know how to train cataphracts(spelling?) as Parthia do I need the Marian Reforms?(If yes then is there some other way as the Romans are conquered)

[Ferdiad]

The reforms will never trigger if the romans are gone.