Question about Rajputs.

**Vladek165** · December 24, 2009, 06:01 PM

Hi. I have a question: How should I start off as the Rajputs? Whenever I start out as the Solanki Rajputs, I always go bankrupt in a few turns due to the high upkeep of elephants. The generals have high upkeep as well since they r elephants. Anyone have any strategies?

P.S. How do I change the recruitment cost and upkeep of units?

**Rebel_Glamdring** · December 24, 2009, 06:44 PM

Originally Posted by Vladek165

Hi. I have a question: How should I start off as the Rajputs? Whenever I start out as the Solanki Rajputs, I always go bankrupt in a few turns due to the high upkeep of elephants. The generals have high upkeep as well since they r elephants. Anyone have any strategies?

P.S. How do I change the recruitment cost and upkeep of units?

I just started seriously playing BC after installing it a couple months ago and lurking here. I went with the Rajputs as my first culture because the walking tanks seemed to be the most forgiving in this mod, so long as they stay away from javelin units...

My first go around started badly, I dithered and let the Chauhan Rajputs expand while I took over southern India and then I tried expanding to the Horn of Africa and from there into Saudi Arabia. I was constantly flirting with bankruptcy, and I only had 4 family members and my half-strength Elephant Archers. I abandoned this game with my head in shame.

I stewed this over a couple months, and I restarted the game the other day. I have found the key is speed, and expand north! Grab Gwailor, Ajmer, Kallauj and Kalinjar before the Chauhan Rajputs. Once those are secured than you can clean up the rebel settlements in the south. Until you get those you will be in the red, there is nothing to do about that until you grab those cities. Once India is united, you will be rolling in the money. Right now I have basically taken over the entire Chauhan area, they're down to 1 territory currently being seiged by the Sindh. I have 150K in the bank, 6 family members 4 units of Mercenary Elephants, and two full stacks of assorted units for my expansion. I'm kind of locked in right now as my two neighbors, the Sindh and the Ghorids both seem to be allied with every Muslim culture in the game right now, so a declaration of war will start a figurative jihad on me....

I love this Mod and the Rajputs!

**wudang_clown** · December 31, 2009, 07:27 AM

If you want a bit more detailed info on how to play with Solankis at the beginning of the campaign - check this thread.

**athanaric** · January 24, 2010, 06:06 PM

A problem for the Solanki is IMO that all the surounding towns, except for the one immediately west of their capital, are incredibly underdeveloped.
I had to blitz 7 regions to get out of the red (Took one town basically with a FM only). Afte that I disbanded all cavalry, including the surviving elephant unit. Then I managed to build three mines, two ports, some trade buildings, a merchant, and upgrade two towns. Then I was swamped by FMs. Back in the red again... any suggestions?

I want to play in a way that is historically credible, so I'd rather not use FM armies and the like.
e: and yes, I've read the suggestions by Wudang Clown and others. Still into debt.

**Darth Pooh** · March 13, 2010, 03:53 AM

Last two days I spent some quality time with Solanki Rajputs on M/M difficulty settings. First few rounds were tough but after the succesful elephant blitz through the mysterious subcontinent of India I was the richest Maharaja who ever lived

Now I´m pondering whether to give it a try on VH/VH or play Chauhan Rajputs. My gaming experiences with Rajputs are fantastic and IMO you shouldn´t make them more powerful in the next release, they´re powerful enough. Just my 2c.
Btw I´m looking forward to BC 3.0 and wish the modders all the patience and good humours they need

**wudang_clown** · March 13, 2010, 04:31 AM

The thing is, Chauhans are unplayable now. But they will be playable in 3.0.

**Captain_Aramsham** · March 13, 2010, 05:00 AM

I started a Rajput campaign recently. It took me 25 turns to get out of debt. But you will get there. You just need to be bold. Take ALL your units and seize the rebel settlements around you ASAP, leaving a minimal possible garrison in each. Once you have ~7 settlements (I occupied them all, rather than sacking them) you should have sufficient income (and your armies will be attrited so your upkeep costs will be reduced) to start clawing your way back into the black.

**Darth Pooh** · March 14, 2010, 08:30 AM

Originally Posted by wudang_clown

The thing is, Chauhans are unplayable now. But they will be playable in 3.0.

Sure, but I´ll just change descr_strat.txt and make them playable to sweeten my patient yet eager waiting for 3.0

A question, though (sorry if it was asked before

): Will all the factions be able to recruit priests/imams/brahmins in 3.0?

**wudang_clown** · March 14, 2010, 09:18 AM

All factions will be able to recruit 'priests" though I'm not sure about brahmins, AFAIK hinduism isn't a missionary religion. But, I may be wrong.

**Darth Pooh** · March 14, 2010, 12:07 PM

Originally Posted by wudang_clown

All factions will be able to recruit 'priests" though I'm not sure about brahmins, AFAIK hinduism isn't a missionary religion. But, I may be wrong.

IMHO it would be good for game balance, but I´m far from being expert either in MTW modding or Hinduism

Maybe the recruitment of brahmins should be more limited to the Rajput player, perhaps the player would be able to recruit them only from the highest level of religious buildings.