Crusade

**Psychonautslog** · November 20, 2012, 05:56 AM

I got a mission by the pope to raise a crusading army to conquer Aleppo, yet I do not have the CD with manual with me (while traveling), so can't look up how to do this. This then is the question:

1. How do I raise a crusader army in Medieval 2 (one of those with the little crosses behind the soldiers,yes)?

2. Do I really have to march to and conquer Aleppo or is it just enough to raise such an army? I surely could use it for other (more useful) purposes (like killing plenty of people in Europe).

3. Does the army need a certain size or is a single unit enough? Does it need to be commanded by a general?

**Kaiser Nonsense** · November 20, 2012, 06:02 AM

Yes, it must be commanded by a general. You need one general and at least 8 units. The game explains all that so you don't need your manual, if you are beginner, I advise you to leave the advices on. You need to click on the general scroll and click on the button at the bottom of the scroll Join Crusade. You cannot attack catholic factions with such army, and beware, if you join, I advise you go to Aleppo, else your soldiers start deserting if you do not make progress on the way there, and you'll lose those units.

P.S.: I fancy your avatar.

**Psychonautslog** · November 20, 2012, 06:11 AM

Thanks (for the fast answer and for liking cats)!

I will go then with a huge fleet to Aleppo debarking this evening...

**Sar1n** · November 20, 2012, 07:04 AM

Best thing you can do is actually march it toward Aleppo along the coastline, while following it with fleet. When Crusade ends, just board the fleet and go home. Keep in mind that while crusading army can march through other Catholic nations without any effect on relations, after Crusade ends, it will turn into normal army and moving it through lands belonging to other nation will worsen your relations with them.

**Duncan III** · November 20, 2012, 07:05 AM

If you've got some to spare, I recommend sending at least two family members/generals- if the sole general dies then your army will desert.
Also, generals acquire chivalrous and military traits and ancillaries from going on crusade, reaching the target and for a succesful crusade.
Your crusading units and generals will also gain experience (chevrons) for being part of a succesful crusade (even if it wasn't you that took the target).
You will also have a good chance of being offered a crusader knight's guild (templar, hospitaller) so you get access to elite heavy cavalry.
If you take Aleppo you have the choice of whether to keep it- if you plan to do so then I recommend taking a family member with a son who has not yet come of age, when he does so it will be in Aleppo so you will have a young replacement governor there.
Alternatively you could present the city as a gift to the pope, he will be grateful and you can rush home with your buffed nobles and army.
One last thing, take some spies, merchants and priests with you.

**Kaiser Nonsense** · November 20, 2012, 08:16 AM

Originally Posted by Psychonautslog

Thanks (for the fast answer and for liking cats)!

I will go then with a huge fleet to Aleppo debarking this evening...

I like cats, especially cats in mail.

Originally Posted by Duncan III

One last thing, take some spies, merchants and priests with you.

But if you do send spies, merchants and priests, send them separadately from the Crusaders, else they will slow down your advancement and it's likely they will desert, since agents do not gain the extra crusading movement points.

**Sitalkes** · November 20, 2012, 05:02 PM

Your army must advance the full distance by the most direct route at some time during two turns. You can move in the wrong direction during those two turns just so long as you move in the correct direction as fast as possible for one of them. The two turn limitation can be recharged/exploited (move the general away from the army and back again) and does not apply to troops laying siege. You can only join a crusade outside a city. A General gets one to two chivalry points for joining a crusade and loses them if he leaves the crusade. Make sure all your generals and armies not actually going to Allepo join the crusade the turn before it ends, as all troops on Crusade get free upkeep and a point of experience and that also gives them a free turn of extra movement. At the end of the Crusade you will get a bucket of money plus big chivalry bonuses for the generals involved in the final attack. Going on crusade will also help you get a knight chapter house (Templars, Hospitallars etc)

How do Crusades work?
- http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=196442&highlight=crusade+%2Bguide
- http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=78169&highlight=crusade+%2Bguide

To get the real manual, see the Medievalopedia

**Psychonautslog** · December 03, 2012, 04:58 AM

Oops: I marched in the wrong direction, because I decided to conquer the Moors first (HEATHEN INFIDELS!!!). Yet I always have several save games to go back towards, so no damage was done. Generals rarely die young on my side, because I reload in case of accidents. I still remember my time with Rom Total War, when Hanno reached the ripe age of 95 (and still in the saddle!).

Thanks for the tips!