Help as pontious

[CenturionSam]

So im part way in my campaign as the pontecs but im not sure what i should use as a base army, help? I know i have lots of options in anatolia, but idk whats best

[Boriak]

Pontos has three types of phalanx to choose from so there's a start. Hoplites and Thureophoroi are good for protecting the flanks of your phalanx. You have Caucasian archers which are very good for their price. In Galatia you can train Gaul infantry and Karian Warband (from Karia!) are similar to Roman legions. Only Pontic cavalry is a bit shaky but you can always rely on FM bodyguard cavalry and there are Lonchophoroi. If you conquer Bosporus, there is Scythian cavalry to be had.

[Revan The Great]

I find that the regular Pantodapoi Phalangitai make an excellent infantry, for their price and availability. Though not as powerful as other phalanx units, they still wear some armor, are relatively cheap, and have the excellent bonus of armor piercing axes as a secondary weapon, rather than the crappy psuedo-daggers other phalanx pikemen use. From early to mid game, these form the core of any army, usually supported by Thureophoroi in decent numbers.

I often find that the secret to Pontus is improvisation. Your resources, manpower, and recruitment are highly limited through the mid-game, so making the best of what you have available is key, as well as utilizing your excellent family member bodyguards to their fullest. Cappadocian Hillmen and Cappadocian Cavalry are pretty amazing units too, in my opinion. And Chariots are deadly if you can afford them, and use them correctly.

Also, hopefully you can keep your alliance with Armenia indefinitely while avoiding war with the Seleucids as long as possible (which isn't a question of IF so much as WHEN). It sounds like you're already pretty far in, but I'd recommend taking Nikaia as soon as you can. This is because there is a trigger that makes anyone besieging a rebel-controlled Nikaia declare war on you, which the Seleucids tend to do pretty quickly if you don't take it first.

[CenturionSam]

I took it first before anything but those damned seluceds attacked anyways D: Averni has galatia XD I had byzantios but epiros took it, i have sinope and mazaka and am about to take isos. Im still allied with armenia lol, besides shutting up the selucids idk where else to go atm lol

[athanaric]

Sardeis will make you filthy rich, so you should take it ASAP.
If you use Panda phalanx, don't forget to have some light or medium infantry as well to protect their flanks, like Kappadokian hillmen and Thureophoroi. Peltastai are also very useful.

[Revan The Great]

Sail North, across the Black Sea and conquer the Bosphoran Kingdom (Panticpaeum and Chersonesos). You have some excellent recruitment available there, plus the general who conquers these cities gets some very nice traits. It'll also help you with income immensely because both cities are rather rich, it'll just take a bit of cash to get an expedition up there.

[HUtH]

Kappadokian hillmen - great as support and "hammer" for pantodapoi.
And Scythians. A lot of them.

[CenturionSam]

Sounds good but i think i need to get a treaty with selukos before i sail north im struggling as is lol

[HUtH]

Sounds good but i think i need to get a treaty with selukos before i sail north im struggling as is lol

I don't think you'll be able to sign ceasefire with Seleucids, AI just love to fight over and over even with all neighbours...

btw how do i take pics in eb? i wanna be able to post it when im doing better :p

Screenshot Utility
actually Rome should save screenshots as .tgas in game folder(printscreen button), but it's not working for me, dunno why(tgas are "empty").

[CenturionSam]

btw how do i take pics in eb? i wanna be able to post it when im doing better :p

[Stath's]

Download Fraps, paste the screenshots you take in Ms.Paint and then upload with Imageshack. I did that, it was fast and easy.

[atheniandp]

Read the unit descriptions. They'll give you an idea of the roles of different units.

[CenturionSam]

Well thats annoying D: Damned AI lol

[Durnaug]

Well thats annoying D: Damned AI lol

If you just want to hold the Seleucid front for a while try blocking any way into your terrirtory using forts. Have strong stack(s) based near these forts. This acts as an early warning system in that the Seleucid armies get bogged down besieging a fort, he cannot rush you and you have time to move into position. If you are lucky you can then wait for him to take over the fort and then you start besieging him. Fun when that happens. Unless Seleucia is engaging in an all stack war on you, this sometimes keeps the AI chastened.

Or you could beat the crap out of Seleucia first, take a chunk of territory and then use the Force Diplomacy mod to fake a peace treaty and then build the forts etc...