How do you play as Spain?

[xxxMoRaVexxx]

How do you play as Spain? I've been doing good when I'm playing that faction except when example, I have like a foothold on France, Toulouse(castle, my only settlement in france), but I have a hard time making anti cavalry units like spearmen to counter the other European countries already numerous knight- producing castles, so how do I counter their numerous cavalry when my spear militia producing units is far in the Iberian? This is just one of the questions in my campaign as Spain. But can you post on how you play as Spain so I can have ideas to continue my campaign. Thanks

[Laconian]

My first goal is to take over the Iberian peninsula. Firstly take the rebel settlements before taking a look at the situation. If Portugal and the Moors are at war I usually ally with Portugal and destroy the infidel but if Portugal is winning the war, I might attack them and them destroy the Moors. But if you are allied with the Portugese and have destroyed the Moors in Europe, ignore the Portugese. Meanwhile, you should take Bordeuax. If the French attack, take Tolouse, Marseille and then push deeper. If the Portugese start to cause problems them destroy them. Hope that helps.

[xxxMoRaVexxx]

cool man, thnks..another problem is an anti cavalry unit in the castle, problem is there are non in the early game(i think) should I rely on my spear militia units? or counter them with the Jinetes unit's agility and missile? Anyway, thanks for the help

[Laconian]

Oooops, sorry about that, I forgot. I would have a line of spearmen to use against them supported by archers who would we slightly behind the spearmen to shoot down the cavalry. Meanwhile, I would have jinetes peppering the cavalry with missiles from the rear and the sides.

[Viking Prince]

When I have played Spain (or Portugal) I felt the need to build my best castle (Toledo in this case) up to a drill square as quickly as possible. This will give you excellant infantry for the early game.

Use diplomacy with the Moors and Portugeese to establish trade and also ask for cash. I use the VH/VH settings and usually et 2000 from the moors and 1200 from the Portugeese.

I will take Zargosa with my existing troops (no builds yet). Then Cordoba is on the list. Build a balista if it does not already exist in Cordoba. Do not get gready. Valencia and Granada can wait. The Zargosa army (with a balista) takes out Paloma in a single turn. The Cordoba army (with a balista) takes out Lisbon at the same time. Portugal as a faction is gone. Mop up the rest of the penninsula and then you're ready to the two french castles. After the Moors are out of Spaian, get a ceasefire. Use a large stack of your best infantry, lots of jinettas, a few generals, and a couple of mailed knights.

While all this is going on do not neglect the economic part of the game. My priorities are farm, markets, and roads. Fit the ports in as able.

After the French castles are yours, each further expansion is like a ring. You're on your own from there.

When the Sicilians appear, try to get a ceasefire and cash. Only attack if no other choice. They can be used as an ATM machine. Keep them hungry though. Only a ceasefire, trade should not also be offered.

Good luck!

[homefry]

You don't really need spears to take on cavalry.

Just recruit those awesome missile light infantry and take them on.

[xxxMoRaVexxx]

You don't really need spears to take on cavalry.

Just recruit those awesome missile light infantry and take them on.

really? coz whenever I field them vs. cavalry after they ran out of ammo(javelins)the enemy cavalry is mowing them easily, but maybe what you mean is the Almughavars? If it did, I didn't know they are that hard to crack

[Kermit4Prez]

Really? It's always been the opposite for me. Once I was outnumbered by A LOT and had mostly javelin men, and I SLAUGHTERED the Moors(after killing 95% of my own troops as well), backed them back into their castle and destroyed their faction. And after that, I took African towns, traded with Sicily, made enough money, and destroyed the Portuguese. Haven't played Spain much after that though.

[homefry]

The almughavars are the troops I'm talking about.

The javenlinmen are a crap troop. They are not good at missiles or at melee battles and their unit cost is similar to that of the peasant archers.

The almughavars do get bonus fighting cavalry. If you look at the unit stats, they get a spear bonus of 4 (compared to the spear bonus of 8 for regular spears)

[xxxMoRaVexxx]

Thanks, I tried the Almughavars and they're awesome troops I think they're worth the money(which is more expensiv than the DFK).

Now I'm stroming western Europe while the French, Milanese and Enlish are all ganging up on me good thing I have 3 full armies besieging Rheims(french city) and Dijon(Milanese city), and another fresh but experienced troops from the Iberia(they spent their time in Iberia battling lots of big rebel armies there)While the Sicilians are the only serious rivals of the HRE(Sicily dominates the Italian peninsula except for the 2 Milanese cities there). After destroying the French and Milanese, should I go conquering Britain or proceed into the Italian Peninsula? What do you think guys?

[MrVamp117]

Go for the British Isles. The cities there should make you loads of money. After that move on to the Italian Peninsula.

[Mad Luddite]

Not to over-simplify, but Jinetes > early France. Their heavy cav won't touch you if you just make about half your stack into those. Once they start building Scots/Aventurier, though, then stuff turns bad for the Jinetes.

For some reason, I've never had the enemy build the awesome French Mounted Archers.