Ghorids overpowered?

[AqD]

I had always wondered why AI Ghorids can raise to a superpower in a just few decades, so today I tried it myself - within 20 turns my faction has become the strongest and richest in Iran, while all my neighbors are still struggling against rebels. Despite the VH/VH difficulty other AI factions (KHWAREZM, GHAZNI, SINDH) seem hopeless.


Have you guys observed that too?

[Robert Guiscard]

Well, the Ghorids do start off with several full-stack (or near full) armies, one of which is deep in Ghazni territory, and they are surrounded by rebel territories, a lot of which are cities (so, yes, I have observed it). It's the same as the Armenians: they have plenty of room to expand with little opposition (Ghazni and Kwarezmians are not as fortunate). I have been able to stem the tide of the Ghorid juggernaut as the Ghaznavids (on M/M though). I gather my forces and make a beeline for Kabul and Ghazni, take the last territory to the east of Ghazni, and then sue for peace. Afterwards, they are unable to dislodge from my position and I'm able to slowly encroach on their territory, taking their capital (I think it was called Ghor once upon a time), Kandahar and other cities. Now they are stretched out so far it's impossible to launch an effective offensive, but I'm just biding my time until the Mongols show up.
But, without human interference, the Ghorids pretty much will rule everything east of the Caspian. I've seen them effectively resist the Mongol invasions. I think with the filling up of the region with more factions in future releases will reduce the chance of a Ghorid superpower and balance things out

[nein]

a blitzkrieging human can conquer rebel territories much faster than the AI. And as for the ghurids... yes they are the dominant faction in central asia. This is not a problem when playing as nearby factions strangely enough... they will give the khwarezmshah' a free alliance, they also refuse to fight me when I play as ghazni, quickly choosing a ceasefire. You would think that ghazni would be one of the harder factions... surrounded by enemeis and suffering from rebelious regions. But they are easy

[Ravi261]

Well, this historically doesn't seem surprising. The ghurids did have an empire stretching from Delhi till eastern Iran, although eventually the Khwarezmshahs took over after 1215 AD.

[CaptainIglo]

In my campaign Ayyubs always take the lead