Novgorod advice

**bertram boso** · January 02, 2011, 03:45 PM

I just downloaded Stainless Steel 6.3 (which is FA-BU-LOUS! Thanks, team!) and started my first game as Novgorod. I usually play as a Mediterranean Catholic faction, so I'm all at sea this far north and east, out on the steppeland.
Does anyone have advice for how I should proceed as Novgorod (it's on the Late era setting so it's early on/1230 or so)? So far I'm driving at Helsinki while trying to build up a defensive line of watchtowers and forts against the Cumans to the east, who I assume will be bearing down on me soon.
Thanks!

**Silverheart** · January 03, 2011, 09:34 AM

I think the best thing would be to ensure that you have properly prepared defenses - And defenders - and then start preparing some forces for invasion. As soon as they attack you, you retaliate at them - and do it hard!

Don´t forget to keep close track of your economy, either, you don´t want the expenses to rush away.

**bertram boso** · January 03, 2011, 03:14 PM

ah yeah, thanks-that's what I've been doing. Historically the steppe peoples were atrocious at siege warfare so I'm hoping that'll help when they come up against my ballista towers.

**Silverheart** · January 03, 2011, 05:22 PM

Ballista towers already?
Great, with some units of archers and spearmen, you´re good to go then.
How about the counter-invasion forces?
Do you have any under preparation yet?

**bertram boso** · January 04, 2011, 03:45 PM

Yeah, so far I'm using the tactic the RUssians have traditionally used against European enemies-let the invader swamp the border provinces then punch back with reserve armies they didn't know existed. I'll let the Cumans/Golden Horde/whatever easterners overrrun the easternmost provinces, let them (hopefully) break their momentum on the defenses of Yaroslav, Smolensk, and Novgorod, and then punch back with armies I've got around Helsinki and Reval. Shaping up to be an interesting game.