Since there were some requests for a Seleucid guide and since this is probably the toughest faction to start with, I thought it would be helpful for many if I wrote some tips on how to play this faction. Now, I consider this an open guide - meaning anyone can add their own thoughts on how to aproach the campaign.
Part I: Reviewing the situation
The Seleucid Empire at this stage controls the biggest piece of the campaign map in RSII. This is somewhat problematic, as you are surrounded by many enemies: Ptolemies, Parthia, Pergamon, Armenia and Pontus. At first, you are only at war with the Ptolemies, but as was the case in RS1.6 and earlier versions, all of those factions want a part of your land. They will attack eventually. So one of our first priorities in the beginning is strengthening our border defenses - mainly our eastern posessions, which are very vulnerable to Parthian attacks.
But before we get to that, we need to start making some money.
And before we do that, we should make sure that our empire doesn't lose provinces to rebellions.
Now, there is some dilemma to the last sentence... some players would disagree with my post, but my argument is if you have those regions already, there are little reasons to why we should abandon them. Only if you are really sure you can't hold them, you should do that (my opinion).
So there are two ways of dealing with this:
1. Keep the regions, build your defense and fight. These regions contain the building "Silk road" and I think some of them "Spice road" also. So if you build your economy, they would bring much income you'd need later in the game.
2. Abandon them, move west and leave the regions to Parthians, who'd grow only stronger and wealthier and eventually reach your vital regions in Mesopotamia. This would no doubt strengthen your western forces against Egypt, Pontus and Pergamon and for awhile shift your attention to that part of the empire and not worry about the East. But it is a short term plan. The + in this is, if you defeat the western enemies quickly, you could attack Parthians in full force in a few years and possibly defeat them. The downside is that while you concentrate on the West, the Parthians could then attack your central regions and open the second front, much closer than the one you'd have if you'd have kept the regions...
And this is all without considering Armenia.
Anyway, lets see what we have:
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
Our capital Antiocheia is located in the far west corner of the empire... this means the eastern cities get a huge distance to capital bonus, which means lower public order. How many times have you seen the AI move capital of the Seleucids to east in your other campaigns? That's why.
Next, we have our faction leader Antiochus III with his full army near Raphia. This is the famous battle site (roughly) of the historic battle of Raphia, where Antiochus III and Ptolemy IV fought.
The RSII team added many challenges for players in the mod and two of them are the battles of Lake Trasimene (Carthage and Rome) and Raphia (Seleucids and Ptolemies). A very nice addition indeed.
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
Now, you could decide to fight, but in my case I won't. This is an army I don't want to lose and will need elsewhere. Also, for me, conquering the cities of Raphia and Rhinocolourta (forgot the name, sry) is not a big success, if I lose to much troops and gain underdeveloped towns, which will be attacked non-stop. You can choose otherwise and try to push into Egypt, which once captured would bring you a fortune, but that's if you're lucky. The reinforcements (good ones) would have to be recruited as far away as Antioch and would need much time to get to you.
So, I retreat from the enemy territory and move my army near Jerusalem.
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
This way, Ptolemy won't attack the army, or Jerusalem the next turn. Jerusalem will become my main defense against Egypt in time and so it's crucial to hold it. It's stone walls can stop any army, even a few times bigger than yours (trust me). When I make sure it is well defended (archers, slingers, peltasts and some thorakitai or hoplitic style of infantry) I will move Antiochus to Cyprus and from there to Ptolemaic holdings in Asia Minor, which I'll conquer more easily than Egypt itself. After that, I might push into Pergamese territory and secure the West.
An alliance with Macedon is almost crucial in this. I need a strong ally.
Back to diplomacy. For now, it is not bad at all.
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
I'm allied with Pontus and Armenia, but I should not count on those two. However there is a good possibility that they would attack each other and that would save me a lot of trouble. My enemies are Ptolemies and Rebels. Ptolemies would never stop fighting me. Rebels, though are far away and since I'll really not fight them for years to come, my goal is to stop that war and make trade agreements.
Happiness is essential to stability of the empire. This is how it is, while Antiocheia is our capital.
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
Not good. So, I move my capital east. Historically, one of the capitals was Seleucia and doing that would benefit you alot, since Seleucia (along with Antioch) brings the most coins into your treasury.
But, I'll choose Babylon - Alexander's capital. Why? Because it's so hard to keep control of it, even if you make Seleucia the capital. The public order is always low. Not now though:
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
As you can see, public order in the empire improved considerably. And as you can see, income is biggest in Antioch and Seleucia. Money which we need.
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
Now, what also makes income? Able governors. Or just the fact that there is a governor present. So, I recruit governors where possible and move Alexander from Persepolis to Babylon. Just because I "love" him. My real name is Alexander and so it's more of a RP decision, to govern the capital of the empire
Where public order is still low, I build Shrine to Ares and Tribal Justice buildings. This empties my treasury completely, but it's money well spent.
I raised taxes to highest possible (avoiding low PO). Then I end turn.
This is the situation of my economy:
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
Profits are low - only 11k. That will improve, once I improve my economy and governors acquire some good traits. Also, you can see my mining income is 0. In Seleucid lands, there are some good mining resources: gold, silver, tin etc. due to the vastness of the Empire. So not getting any income from that is a waste. We shall look to it as soon as we can. The ratio between trade and taxes is too big. If I don't make more trade agreements and continue to tax my people, it won't do good to economy. Our army expenses are also very high right now.
In our next turns we need to:
1. Improve economic infrastructure
2. Secure the border regions (Jerusalem!!)
3. Conquer new lands
4. Trade agreements and alliances
5. Keep an eye on public order
All of this in the next chapter.