Facing the Saka Rauka

[Trebudude]

Hey guys, I'm playing as the Baktrian's and after a slow expansion through the Seleucid territories to the south I was quite content to stay where I was and develop my economy. But then the Saka Rauka struck some of my territories to the north and I was forced to move my armies to fight them. It's about 260BC and I was wondering, before I attack, is there any tips on defeating them? I know they are a nomadic people and currently have no large armies. My current plan is to go for their cities until they accept a ceasefire

[athanaric]

Good idea. Don't forget to take a sizable force of foot archers and spearmen with you (Persian Archers and Parthian Spearmen, not Toxotai and Pantodapoi), and enough cavalry, especially Dahae Riders. If you can afford them, use Baktrian HAs, Baktrian medium cavalry (for attacking their heavy units), Hellenistic cataphracts, and Prodromoi.

[Trebudude]

So, basically don't go in with my normal phalangites but use the Parthian spearmen? Also should I avoid pitched battles with their HA? Because when I was playing RSII(don't know if it will be the same) my shields did no help when facing the Parthian arrows

[athanaric]

So, basically don't go in with my normal phalangites but use the Parthian spearmen? Also should I avoid pitched battles with their HA? Because when I was playing RSII(don't know if it will be the same) my shields did no help when facing the Parthian arrows

Parthian Spearmen have large shields. They can endure arrow volleys as long as they face the enemy archers. Also, unlike phalangitai, they are reasonably fast and easier to maneuver. They can dispatch cavalry fairly well. You should also get Thorakitai, who're one of the best anti-cavalry units in the game (IMO). Slower than the Parthian dudes but heavily armoured and with javelins to increase their versatility. The Dahae Riders are the most cost-efficient cavalry in the region (and also the longest-ranged cavalry unit available to Baktria in the region), but Baktrian HAs are better for missile exchanges and fighting in close combat. IMO you should use all of the above in conjunction.

[TWWolfe]

Phalanxes are very durable against arrows from the front, but they have the turning ability of a city block. you want lighter, agile spearmen and enough archers to allow you to out-shoot them in a missle duel.

[Bladvak]

Word of advice against HA in the east :
Make them attack you and make sure that your back is against a mountain on the strategy map - this will give you a nice hill to put units on the tactical map. I once had 8 units of Dahae riders, one of persian archers and a bodyguard (AS) very high on a mountain. Pahlava attacked with twice my number, but my Dahae riders were able to shoot at them straight from second 1. Heroic victory with less than 100 casualties on my side.

[AtlasGR]

using slingers is also a good idea.

[Gromit]

To echo what was said earlier- foot archers and slingers to take out their cavalry (Saka use a lot of armored cavalry, so just archers won't be enough), some Parthian spearmen and a couple of phalanx. Try to fight exclusively siege battles as mush as possible, where one phalanx can fight threough an entire HA force. I honestly wouldn't bother to try to fight them with your own cavalry, too expensive and inefficient, but you could try that.

[Trebudude]

Cool, thanks for all your help, I'm going to go and start my war with the Saka

[Bladvak]

Don't rage quit if you have an army destroyed by the HA. we've all been there and survived the campaing (ruthlessly killing that faction with their own weapons sure helps)

[Ferdiad]

I generally just try to flood their lands with as mnay Stacks as possible they're mobility is no use when they're crushed up against the edge of the battle map by 3 stacks.