Lithuania advice

[lummoxybez]

Apologies if this has been covered, but a search on the title gave me 20+ pages of unrelated topics.

I started a game as Lithuiania (VH/M) and have managed to take over most of the nearby rebel settlements, having a total of 9 regions under my control now. I have made alliances with Kiev, Novgorod and the Poles, and am making a tidy profit each turn. My princess (can't train diplomats yet) is off to make more alliances and trade rights deals, whilst the rest of my family hone their battle skills on rebels or manage the settlements. Its about 1125 or so now.

My main question is, what should I do next?
Do I sit tight and wait for someone to attack me (I'm thinking Novgorod as they have a big stack next to one of my well-defended castles) or should I make the first move and risk alienating my allies?

My troop roster is not that good, with only the bog-standard spearmen/axemen, supplemented by Lettish Xbows and Lithuanian cav. Do I have some cool units to look forward to in future?

The summary for Lithuania mentioned the Teutonic Order being considered my main enemies but I haven't encountered any of them yet. Do they arrive later on, or do they come through Poland first?

There is also a mention of converting to Christianity. Is this a scripted event or can I do it whenever I want? Can I choose between Catholic and Orthodox?

Thanks in advance.

[vtec.dominion]

Well, you can try taking over Scandinavia. This should be very easy as you have superior mounted force (Lithuanian Cavalry / Ducal Cavalry). Scandinavians lacks cavalry and with your horse archers you can easily destroy them completely.
Then you can either sit there converting regions or try to re-locate other factions exchanging scandinavian provinces (it can be difficult if you're using BGR though).

You will get better units with Heavy Mail Event that is 1200-1205 and as your Castles grows (check the building tree).
You have also access to religious units:
- Dievas Guard (3rd level of Dievas Altar) - armoured heavy cavalry, fanatic, very hardy, locked morale
- Giltines Chosen (3rd level of Giltine Altar) - heavy infantry, AP unit, very hardy, locked morale
- Followers of Perkunas (3rd level of Perkunas Altar) - light infantry, AP unit, very hardy, locked morale

All these fanatic units have low upkeep as well. You need at least Large Stone Walls to upgrade the altars up to level 3 though. You have also improved spears and regular heavy swordsmen available later in game and few other AP units.
Teutonic Order arrive later somewhere around 1215 IIRC (can't remember when i was playing early era last time ;/ ).

Oh, and you cannot switch to Orthodox nor Catholic, you are pagan and there is no other way for Lithuania.

[Head of the Heavy Chargers]

When searching u should use advanced search and select so that u search from this forum only from the list.
For units u should check out custom battle and take a look at their roster. U can also use this http://www.pressdat.com/mtw2/. Not up to date, but good.
Lithuania has good infantry for high era, but when full plate starts to take effect in mid 1300's your armies start to become obsolete. Catholic 1400's full plate armies are superior, but campaigns don't go that far usually.
Teutons appear after 1220? After Mongols I think.

If I were u I'd get a good reputation and when U get attacked by one of your neighbours soon u attack them back with full force. And hope that others won't gang up on u.
Novgorod towns near u are quite good and capturing them hurts them very much and pushes them back into the steppes.
Polish castles near the sea are good targets.

[lummoxybez]

Thanks chaps.
I did an advanced search and have found quite a few threads related to Lithuania now.
All good advice.

Next stop - Denmark!

[Gabrius]

I concur, Denmark is likely to attack you over the sea whether you like it or not, so if you can spare the troops I'd give them what for before they come after you... Just keep a good defensive force in case your allies decide to attack, and be prepared for the year that the Teutonic Order arrives in your lands!