Got a good strategy for short game with Sicily?

**Viking Prince** · May 29, 2008, 05:11 AM

When I approach Sicily in a long campaign, I start in Africa and work my way clockwise through Iberia. Usually allied with the pope and France.

I am thinking a short campaign might be interesting since taking out Milan and Venice is not high on my long campaign plans.

Any suggestions on how to approach?

I'm thinking the council's favorite Durazzo with another stack to Tunis and then Tripoli. First real blood would be Iraklion on a cripple Venice first strategy. I'm thinking of leaving Cagliari and Ajaccio for conquest after I need to tussle with Milan.

Jusst musing right now. Open to all reasonable ideas. Will not sack Rome, move capital to London, or build a space port to tackle Venus. OK?

**fritsje5** · May 29, 2008, 09:12 AM

I always send my princess in the first turn to Rome, allie with the Pope to gain papal standing and immediately requesting a Crusade on Tunis while in the meanwhile gathering as many men and Generals possible.

This way you will end up with maybe 2 very Nice Generals

Afterwards I wait a few turns building my strength for The next Crusade on Jerusalem.

I gained the trait "Crown of Thorns" with this for my faction leader King Simon

In the Long Campaign I always try to Rebuild the Roman Empire, so I can call the mediterranean sea: Mare Nostrum

**Viking Prince** · May 29, 2008, 09:51 AM

Originally Posted by fritsje5

I always send my princess in the first turn to Rome, allie with the Pope to gain papal standing and immediately requesting a Crusade on Tunis while in the meanwhile gathering as many men and Generals possible.

I never thought to call a crusade so quickly. Great idea. This is why one should ask questions that may be obvious to many.

+rep

Thanks.

Any other suggestions for the short campaign?

**FriendoftheDork** · May 29, 2008, 11:04 AM

I've only tried Siciliy in Lands to Conquer Mod, and man was it hard!

You have crappy castle and only Sardinia since Malta doesen't exist (booh), thus no real city to produce cash. You have a few units, but can't really support them without expanding asap. You need to take Naples quickly, thus you need a few mercs and storm it.

I tried getting a crusade against Tunis (to save the economy), but the pope refused even after I paid him 2000 florins.

So... I guess it's totally different in Vanilla, huh?

Fritsje's advice seems good, I'll try Sicily in vanilla one day.

**Viking Prince** · May 29, 2008, 05:20 PM

I tried with Retrofit Mod today on vh/vh. I start with Naples so I guess your Mod, Lands to Conquor, is a bit tougher for Sicily to start. Naples is quickly a good money maker also.

I tried out the crusade suggestion. I have been unable to figure the correct combination to get a successful request to the pope. I have allied with Rome and negotiated trade rights too. Turn two == no dice. Turn three -- gifted 100 per turn for four turns and still no dice. I do not know fritsje5's secret. Maybe his settings are not vh/vh and this has an effect.

I cannot twaddle too much or bankruptcy looms. These men need to be ussed or demobilized. The economy is not big enough to support the starting units and build up the two starting sttlements.

I will give it another go tonight. I would hate to think the stategy is based on luck, since that is not my play style. This is too high stakes of a strategy to only work some of time.

I might be better to go with my original plan and receive tribute from the pope in exchange for the alliance to fund taking Tunis, Tripoli, etc.

Edit: Tried many method and many turns -- Crusades do not seem to be callable on the first turns of the game. Anyone have an idea how soon they can be called with an outstanding papal relationship against a rebel province with 0% catholic?