Seleucid Campaign Obesrvations

[AchillesXX]

I am playing a Seleucid campaign at the moment and I have a few observations I would like to share and get feed back on. Oh, in the beginning of my campaign I gave all of my provinces east of Susa/Ecbatana/Charax to Bactria. I did this for several reasons. In a nut shell, I hate provinces that take a long time to cross (don't like playing Rome Total Transportation).

1. First, scythed chariots are a mixed bag. They are absolutely amazing when it comes to killing mellee calvary. They take out heavy calvary and family members with ease - I almost feel guilty when I see an enemy family member on the field, knowing that he will die sooo fast. But they are terrible against any calvary with a skirmish ability and any unit that is armor piercing - terrible. I can't decide if they deserve a permanent spot in a min/max Seleucid army.

2. Second, although a lot of people complain about the strength of a Scythian army, I find they are not too hard - and I am playing like a six month old version of the mod. I use an army of 6 Persian Calvary (one of the best all round units in the game), 2 onagers, a general, and the rest Heavy Peltasts. Scythians melt before me. I can't wait to get a sict with gold weapon/armor near my norther border... I am not expanding into their region, just camping out on my border with them watching my armies get progressively more chevrons.

3. The Ptolemies must have the worst army of any faction in the game. At least, from my relatively limited experience - maybe they are tied with Carthage. Their units are pound for pound terrible. I think it would be fun to try one of their campaigns though.

4. Saba can put up a stronger fight than I expected. Occassionally their armies would surprise me and be pretty darn tough!

5. The way settlements revolt when taken over by a faction of a different culture can seriously slow down the AI's progression. I have noticed this where Parthia has taken over Bactrian provinces. They revoldt agains Parthia all the time! Anyone else noticed this? Is it a general problem for the AI? I have had that problem before, but as a human I can overcome it. Can be especially hard in Lilybaeum.

6. Finally, I think reinforced walls are too powerful when I am the defender. The eat the AI up very quickly. I think this has been addressed in more recent versions. Also, I realize I could choose not to build them, just saying though.

[Scutarii]

1. Yep. As they should be.
2. TSE has the best counter to them: Medians. So yes, you probably find them easy, but try going up against later Scythians (cataphracts, noble HA's) with a predominantly infantry faction like Gaul..
3. Yep. I find that too, although they get much better at the higher tiers. I'm of the opinion their roster needs some serious additions.
5. I find Baktria gets hamstrung really easy in India that way. Its only really a problem with Parthia/Baktria, and sometimes Rome in Gaul.
6. Since auto-resolve doesn't take walls into account, just don't build them. By the way, Dime toned them down quite a bit recently, so it may be worth it to upgrade after your done your current campaign (unless your campaign is on a 5.8, then just go and d/l)

[AchillesXX]

Thanks for the reply Scutarii. As always, well said and thought out.

[silentsam74]

5. I find Baktria gets hamstrung really easy in India that way. Its only really a problem with Parthia/Baktria, and sometimes Rome in Gaul.

You got that right. Even in my own campaign I had to conquer Patala at least three times before I finally got some semblance of control there.

[DimeBagHo]

The AI does get some law and happiness bonuses to help deal with culture problems. It might have a harder time with AI bonuses off though.

[Unknown Soldier]

Hmm I'm downloading 8.25 so I'm thinking of playing TSE as my next campaign.

I tend to retain all territories in the east as long as possible, building walls,temples and roads.
I also march all of the pikemen and any decent commanders westwards.
The antioch army invades Salamis and the asia minor troops take out the mainland Ptolomy city in southern turkey in the opening turns.
Then its total wipe out of egypt time.
fending off all the potential enemies is the hardest part of the campaign
Maybe I should try giving the east to Baktria.