[SS AAR] I am Skantarios! - Rebirth of the Eastern Roman Empire - **Complete**

[EmberFlame]

The home fleet is probably trying to relieve some of the economic stress caused by all the blockades. Either that, or went away to engage one of the numerous other fleets in the area.

The old battle against the super elite force was quite hopeless-your only possibility for victory was getting a couple cheap shots in with the cannons/magonal. Personally, I think you should have focused less on the archers and gunners, put your infantry and skirmishers in the same general area (so that the gunners are distracted longer) and relied more heavily on the cannons. Targeting the heavy calvalary might also have helped, as your own infantry can at least engage their elites for a time before breaking-but one charge and its over. By keeping the cannons to one side they can engage even while the battle is occuring.

But it really was hopeless. Only a very lucky cannon shot would have hit enough of the horse to make a difference, the mag is simply to random to be trusted (Though it would still be worth it to use it during the battle) and the enemy infantry to elite/large to be countered.

Epic update btw.

[Bernem]

@Skantarios

would you please compete for the MAARC! An AAR as yours should be displayed and will be shurely awarded!

[Concrete]

@Skantarios

would you please compete for the MAARC! An AAR as yours should be displayed and will be shurely awarded!

Second.

[Dan the Man]

Second.

Third!

[Skantarios]

@Skantarios

would you please compete for the MAARC! An AAR as yours should be displayed and will be shurely awarded!

Okay. You've all convinced me. I have submitted my AAR to the MAARC!

I appreciate all the support and the gentle nudge to submit my work. Please vote when the competition begins.

And, again, thanks for reading!

[Skantarios]

Working on the next update now. I won't have it up tonight but perhaps tomorrow or Thursday. I have also taken a pause to consider my options on how to proceed with the campaign.

I have decided to do this in four phases:

1) Drive through southern Anatolia. Take Smyrna and Isparta and, perhaps, recapture Ankara with a move south to take Iconium.

2) Consolidate forces and establish stable defensive front.

3) Make a raid to Alexandria and Cairo and tear out the economic heart of Egypt! Perhaps take Nicosia in the process.

4) Return to Anatolia and commence drive down the coast of the Middle East with the goal of capturing Jerusalem and then continue to Mecca itself.

Those are the broad strokes. I may extend any of the phases somewhat in light of the strategic opportunities that present themselves. Depending on my strength at the time, I may also embark on some sub-campaigns with some of the other family members should resources be available.

Thanks to all who have submitted their insights on how best to proceed!

[Bernem]

Okay. You've all convinced me. I have submitted my AAR to the MAARC!

I appreciate all the support and the gentle nudge to submit my work. Please vote when the competition begins.

And, again, thanks for reading!

Yeah, great news. I'll certainly vote for you!

You should also consider helping out your northern allies against the HRE. I see you share a border with them now.
Send an army just strong enough to capture their settlements and give them back to Hungary, and then raid as much German territory as possible in the 'burnt earth' style

[dezikeizer]

Brilliant update! Those were epic battles, and the last part was just the icing on the cake. +rep
Just one thing:

The supposed safety of hiding behind his infantry is given lie

Perhaps you should change the word given to proven to be a.

[Dan the Man]

Exceptional AAR! You have my subscription and, if I could, my rep, friend!

[Skantarios]

Short update today but thought the end of the Jihad was a good place to stop for now. I will try to get another one up before the weekend, time permitting.

Spoiler for Next Update: 

Counter-Offensive in Anatolia and the Defense of Arta

Brilliant update! Those were epic battles, and the last part was just the icing on the cake. +rep
Just one thing, perhaps you should change the word given to proven to be a.

Thanks. It was a little confusing. Fixed.

@Skantarios

would you please compete for the MAARC! An AAR as yours should be displayed and will be shurely awarded!

Thanks for the vote of confidence! Let me think on it. I'll check out the competition page and figure out what I want to do.

Thanks also to dezikeizer, Supreme Turkey Lord, and baseball guy for your support, as well.

[dezikeizer]

Actually you guys are right, this aar should be in the MAARC. I sure as hell would vote for it!

[Concrete]

I'm always right.

[cisse]

Good update!

Will be interesting to see how you recover. Egypt really seems a force to be reckoned with, and those mammelukes can really be a pain. They're not only good horse archers, but are also quite good in melee and resilient to shooting. They're expensive, though...

I still hope that sometime you'll find the resources to make a raid on Cairo and Alexandria. Would really be fitting to show Skantarios' thirst for revenge. Even with a imited fleet, it can be done - take a settlement on the south of anatolia, then hop to Nicosia, then to Egypt.

But of course, you decide what's next, and holding Constantinople/retaking Anatolia will have to come first in any case.

[Bernem]

To me the next logical step would be to eliminate the turkish presence in south anatolia, or the next out of the blue monster janissary army will pop up and wreck havoc

[Holy winter]

With all the greek fire its impossible to conquer Constantinople. But I would do just like you . Looking forward to more field battles in the future.
HRE is pushing true poland and Hungary I see.
Great updates again btw. I also think you shoud compete for the MAARC.
Good luck against those mammelukes!

[Horatius Flaccus]

It's always good to survive a jihad.

Great writing once again!

[SirNat]

Since my last post this AAR has definitly turned better. But don't think it will be a stroll taking Asia Minor back considiring how much resource Egypt will have from the proof that they sent out 6 maxed out jihad armies against u. This is only a suggestion but u could turn West to Italy and be orginal also it might be more interessting that just slugging it out with Egypt the whole time. It was Byzantine soil once with Belisarius conquers. Keep it up because u r going at very good speed.

[Inferno Crusader]

Truly, you have written an impressive story that I have absolutely enjoyed reading. You definately deserve to compete in the MAARC. Honours to you, Skantarios! (Wish I could give out rep...)

[EmberFlame]

How in the world are the turks manageing to send epic stacks against you when they have all of five cities?

[Dan the Man]

Well it's relatively easy to make a full stack with just one city, provided it's upgraded high enough and you have enough money. It just depends on how far the Turkish cities have been upgraded.