Spartan90's Strategy Guide - Milan
Milan, or alternatively Genoa if you’re playing SS, is a city-state faction based in the congested but fertile lands of Northern Italy. It starts off with a small area primarily consisting of the maritime city of Genoa and the rich city of Milan.Spartan90’s Strategy Guide – Milan
Its position is both powerful and weak. It is powerful because its two main cities – Milan and Genoa – start off relatively developed, and also have the potential to become major cities in the Medieval age. Genoa can rival cities such as Venice, Constantinople and Antioch in maritime trade, and Milan can develop tremendous wealth from its huge populations, fertile land and farming production, and to a lesser extent its land trade.
The faction’s position is weak, however, that it starts off controlling a low amount of settlements, and that expansion into Rebel lands are quite limited. Basically, Milan is one of the few factions that have to fight another faction early on. Another downside to this is that the factions surrounding Milan are some of the most powerful in the game - France, HRE, Venice, and the influential might of the Papacy.
Milan's strengths lie in its ability to generate huge amounts of cash. Its economy can stimulate more production growth in its rich cities, and can also train and maintain several armies. What makes Milan so rich is that there is no need in the entire game for Milan to build castles. It's strongest units are all militia based, and can be trained even in sparsely developed cities. As with all Italian factions, it's city-based forces are quite easily the best in the world. Its Italian Spear Militia and Geonese Crossbowmen Militia can dominate the battlefield early on. Add the Familia Ducale to protect your flanks, and you've got a very decent citizen army. On top of this, Milan has world class gunpowder units, and is quite easily among the elite in military terms when the late period rolls around. For the icing on the cake, Milan's navy is only out-classed by the Iberians.
Focusing more on its militia armies, each type of unit individually is nothing special, but as a whole army combining spear, crossbow and cavalry militia, it is a devastating force. Going into more focus, I will now concentrate on Milan's battle strategies. It is best to fight defensively as Milan. When starting a battle, choose your ground and dig in. If possible, have trees or cliffs to further protect your flanks. This will mean that the enemy will have one front to face you, allowing your archers to decimate their ranks. The one thing that makes Milan a force to be reckoned with are that they are the only faction that has access to the most powerful and justly infamous Geonese Crossbowmen. Used correctly, these archers can rip apart an entire army. Their Armour Piercing arrows add even more pain to professional armies with shiny armour. Make sure that your Crossbowmen have a nice line of sight to shoot at the enemy. Much like a modern-day gun, the bullets / arrows do not arc, like a longbow, and therefore your crossbowmen have to be placed in front of your army. During the skirmishing phase, your crossbowmen - depending on how many you have - are able to kill hundreds. When the enemy gets close, engage their melee units with your spearmen. Allow your Crossbowmen to retreat to the back. Unfortunately, unless you are on high or angled terrain, your Crossbowmen are useless during the main phase of battle, as they cannot arc their arrows, and therefore will not risk shooting into the back of your own men. If able, move your Crossbowmen in a position where they can fire into the flanks of the enemy. Their right flank is the preferred one, as they do not have their shield to protect them. Shooting into their flanks will cause enormous damage physically, and with morale. During this time, your militia cavalry can either be guarding your own flanks, or if the situation allows, engage the enemy's flanks or rear.
Milan's weaknesses are few. They will have to take on strong factions very early on - more than likely France or Venice. If it's of any help, France is in a weak position early on, trying to occupy its modern-day lands. They have a very weak military in the early stages, comprising of peasants, spear militia and peasant archers. As Milan is decent from the get-go, you may want to capitalize on this information. Their other weaknesses are that although Milan can spam their classy militia armies, they will be outclassed in the High era. The Italian Spear Militia can get some very decent armour upgrades, but they will still have little chance holding off more professional men-at-arms.
For some campaign tips, you will most definately want to take the islands south of Genoa, and Florence more importantly. Try and buy Bologna off the HRE, and you have yourself some very decent settlements. When the eventual war with Venice rolls along, grabbing her beautiful capital will weaken her terribly.
From here, your hold the gateway to the rest if Italy - more importantly, the Vatican's playground. Your grand cities have one of the best defenses to help keep enemies out - the Alps. There are only a few roads that go from Europe into Italy, so holding these choke points with forts is a necessary. If they can't keep back the enemy, it least they will be able to provide you with a couple turns minimum to be able to gather your defenses in Lombardy.
The war down the Italian Peninsula is pretty straight forward, however I advise not to fight the Papacy until the end of the game. Or give them some weak settlement in the middle of Africa, then kick the Pope out of Rome. Northern Italy is comprised with by far the most richest cities in the game, and holding the "Big 5" of Genoa, Milan, Florence, Bologna and Venice, the world is your oyster. From here, either unite the Peninsula under one banner.
Take the fight into the belly of Europe herself. Fight for the treasures of the Holy Lands. Cross the seas to Africa or Iberia and score its riches. Or control the entire Mediteranian maritime economy by conquering the Byzantines and take control of the Black Sea and Aegean trade. Good luck!
Let me know how you like this guide, any mistakes, or if I should write on another faction. Rep me if you like it!
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Originally Posted by Simon Cashmere
