Tips for playing as Kindgom of Jerusalem

**DirtyACE** · August 15, 2008, 06:17 PM

Just started my first campaign in SS 6.1 + PP 2.0.

This is the first time I've played with KoJ and it looks like a real challenge. I'm playing on Hard/Hard. Right as you start off you are surrounded by the Fatimids. Only 1 out of 5 settlements is a city, which of course is Jerusalem, so I'm not making any money. In fact, I'm already 3000 in red by turn 5.

I'm looking for some tips as to how to proceed from here on. I realize of course that the Fatimids are the greatest immediate danger to me and need to be either eliminated or heavily subdued. I decided to call for a crusade against their city of Damietta in order to shift their attention away from me and to keep them occupied with fighting the crusading armies from Europe. I've also signed an alliance with the Turks to keep them off my back while I deal with the Fatimids. Now, with the fact that I'm already in the red with the finances means that I can't really build up a big force so I need to strike very quickly. I noticed that Antioch has been left very lightly defended, only the governor is there now. Also, I have a feeling that I'll need to take 2 cities in one turn in order to intake some good cash. The city of Al Aqaba is also lightly defended by a single unit.

My main concern though is that how soon should I commence my invasion. I'm not sure how quickly the crusaders from Europe will get to Egypt. Is it wise to attack now and not wait for them, but then run the risk of Fatimids focusing all their forces on me for a few turns? If I wait, I'll continue sinking further into red with my money. Any advice?

**Barser** · August 15, 2008, 07:21 PM

I advice you yo go on the offence and smack the egyptians around.
Koj have superior units compared to egypt. You should do well I think.

**jokamachi** · August 15, 2008, 08:29 PM

Caution is the operative word in dealing with the Fatimids. Their power base and resources are vast, so a direct assault without backing is suicide. Using the crusades is a good first step, though. You can even remain allied to the Fatimids while calling for crusades against them (weird, I know).

I generally work with spies and assassins to instigate revolt in provinces I wish to annex, then my nearby armies jump on a city that has just revolted. If you're already allied with the Fatimids, they may even help you capture one of their lost cities once you've locked in your own seige and they draw near (another weird point, to be sure).

**DirtyACE** · August 15, 2008, 08:35 PM

Originally Posted by jokamachi

Caution is the operative word in dealing with the Fatimids. Their power base and resources are vast, so a direct assault without backing is suicide. Using the crusades is a good first step, though. You can even remain allied to the Fatimids while calling for crusades against them (weird, I know).

I generally work with spies and assassins to instigate revolt in provinces I wish to annex, then my nearby armies jump on a city that has just revolted. If you're already allied with the Fatimids, they may even help you capture one of their lost cities once you've locked in your own seige and they draw near (another weird point, to be sure).

I'm not allied with them because I knew I'd be going to war with them very soon. Perhaps I should re-think that strategy. Do you convert any of your castles to cities immediately when you start?

**DirtyACE** · August 15, 2008, 08:33 PM

Thanks Barser but it seems though that I'm really outnumbered. Does KoJ really enjoy that much of superiority in quality that the fact they have a lot more troops makes little difference?

**Barser** · August 15, 2008, 08:50 PM

Well you might be right that you dont have the power early on and also your great units aint available yet. Crusades would probably be a key word. Still you should go for the egypts I think.

**strife1013** · August 15, 2008, 08:55 PM

get rid of units you cant afford right now. and few upkeep is good, build eco friendly buildings first.

**DirtyACE** · August 15, 2008, 09:10 PM

I do have a few units of knights, both regular and dismounted. I also have some templar sergents and crossbows. Are you saying I should get rid of the most expensive units or ones of bad quality? If I do this, wouldn't Egypt be more inclined to attack me since I'll have less troops?

**Barser** · August 15, 2008, 09:12 PM

I think you should use them instead of dispand them. Possible combine them with a crusading army.

**illuminati2025** · August 16, 2008, 12:43 PM

Originally Posted by Barser

I think you should use them instead of dispand them. Possible combine them with a crusading army.

Barser speaks the truth: Crusading armies have free upkeep, additional movement, improved morale. That will get your financial situation under control while making the initial landgrab.

Especially deploy your cavalry and knights in your Crusading stack, they are expensive in garrison.

The only drawback is they have a tendency to ransack, pillage, burn, slaughter, and just cause general mayhem:

**DirtyACE** · August 17, 2008, 11:20 PM

Well, my campaign started out well. I called for a crusade against Cairo and attack the Fatimids at the same time. The crusaders from Europe started arriving and took much of Egypt's attention away from me. During this time I was able to capture 5 Egyptian cities and it all seemed to go well. Cairo was eventually captured and the European armies began to return to their lands. About 2 turns later a Jihad gets called on Jerusalem. I was pretty much unprepared for it, most of it has to do with the economy. I'm not sure if it's the SS economy or one from Perfectly Polished mod, but the money just disappears. It was basically impossible for me to convert some of the coastal castles into cities or improve them in any way and sustain some sort of an army to counter the jihads. I faced 6 jihad armies. I managed to beat the first one by quickly assembling an army with what units were in range of Jerusalem. After that 5 more full stacks arrived from Egypt, Turkey, and Mongols (why are they muslim?). There was absolutely no way I could take on all of them. My entire army was stretched paper thin across the empire. I simply can't make enough money to have at least a decent size standing army and be able to improve my cities/castles. After the Turks took Jerusalem, the Mongol army started to lay sieges Acre, which I could not hold on to, then they went for Damascus. The Egyptian army took Gaza back. It's looking like I'm pretty much doomed.

Can anyone give me some good tips with starting out with KoJ? I probably did expand too fast, however, I could not make any money by staying small. I'd appreciate any help.