TSE tips

[bgunter]

First just got to say great mod this is my first mod for Rome and hav'nt even tryed any others so far yet been enjoying this one so much. Now to the point of my topic I was just curious to see everyone's different ways they start out with one of my favorite factions TSE. I've done just a few factions in XGM so far (don't have that much time to play any more) but so far never got a TSE past first few turns before I feel like I made and error in my planning. Usally against Egypt since they send a full stack quicky to towards Antioch. Thanks in advance for anyone who responds.

[Lobo Solitario]

After having played as the Ptolemaics and finding their units to be fairly feeble, my strategy as TSE was to go straight for the throat - I gathered my starting army and whatever reinforcements I could muster quickly, and slaughtered my way south along the coast to Alexandria. When you command the battle yourself, it's pretty hard to lose against the Ptolemaics in battle early on.

I play with reduced AI bonuses though. With bonuses on, you might be swamped. To even things up, you could always do the reverse of my Ptolemaic gambit, and use your starting navy to land an army with a spy at Alexandria, for a quick knockout punch within two turns (if the spy manages to open the gates).

[Andy1984]

If Egypt has too many troops: Try to besiege Sidon as much as possible. Without Egypt training forces in Sidon, their supply lines will be horribly overextended.
If you're lacking in funds: go after Salamis.

[bgunter]

Thanks everyone for the advice.

[Publius Quirinus]

If Egypt has too many troops: Try to besiege Sidon as much as possible. Without Egypt training forces in Sidon, their supply lines will be horribly overextended.
If you're lacking in funds: go after Salamis.

Thanks for that Sidon tip, I had not considered that. The Ptolemaics in my Pergamum campaign are looking very scary, every bit helps.

[Roman Warlord]

Just remember don't be afraid of lossing teritories in the east to Bactrica and Parthinia as long as you hold them up for a while, those towns are small and not very productive the cash is in the west/south not the east/north.

[Lobo Solitario]

I forgot to add that I also had a family member in Asia minor collect all the spare troops and mercenaries he could and hit Side early on, followed by a quick attack across the water on Salamis, before heading back to command the defense of the north-west front, thus leaving Antioch free to concentrate on the push southwards.