Hello

[Marlboro]

Short time player (couple of weeks) of TE, had RTW since release though. Out of the few mods I have tried, TE has given me the most enjoyment, so I am sticking with it.

Was just wondering, the other day I had a go at playing as Thrace, and I got absolutley over run by the Greeks.

Greece attacked Macedon and so did I, we crushed Macedon and all was well, but then I just couldn't stop Greece, they eventually took all my settlements and I lost.

As I really enjoyed playing as Thrace, I was wondering if anyone else has had a go and actually done really well?. Got any tips?.

I am playing on H/H and it was the most enjoyable campaign I have played so far. Even though I got totally owned .

Thank you for the mod Mr Lusted, tis awesome work.

[Taelok]

Welcome to the forums Marlboro!

I find Thrace to be the single most challenging faction in the entire game. Playing as them is one of the few times I've honestly told myself to give up as defeat is certain. I also agree that it was my most enjoyable campaign ever, despite the ownage I recieved.

I'm afraid, because of the above, I'd be pretty useless at offering tactics for a campaign as Thrace, though I'd suggest you try and strike at the vunerable islands around Greece to try and generate more income / launch amphibious assaults

Good luck!

[Carsten]

It could help if we knew what towns you held and which the Greeks had.
I assume you got Byzantium which is easy to besiege and produces good income.
You may also want to sail northeast to get the town of Tanais, which is fairly easy to capture and gives a good cash flow.

Since Thrace begins with one town, you are disadvantaged compared to most
of the factions around you. However, in TE, Dacia and Thrace are two factions which start with more money than almost all other factions. You may want to use it for bribery or to hire some expensive general's units early on.

There is one bribery move which can cost about half your initial treasury but may just be worth it.
You can start building a port on the first turn, then one boat, sail your diplomat south to Asia Minor, and have him bribe the Seleucid general in Sardis for maybe over 30,000 coins. He has one of the four big starting armies of the Seleucids,
and you will not gain the entire army, but will get the general and 3 good units.
And the Seleucids should not declare war on you. That province produces a good income, and in a few turns, you can invade Halicarnassus. Or build a port and take Mytilene or try Rhodes.

[Hader]

Hmm, well i havent gotten around to a full campaign as Thrace in TE yet, but since they are one of my top 3 favorite factions I played them a lot in vanilla. Since their position is the same in TE as in vanilla, the strategy should be very similar. And since in TE Thrace gets a larger starting army, I have something else to work with.

Well, every time I play Thrace I begin by takin Byzantium. It is a vital city, with a potentialy great economy and a good position on the map (it did later become Constantinople you know :wink: ) Since Thrace is the only faction within striking distance of the city then you should take it ASAP. Sometimes I take my spy and send him into the town first, then my army in to try and assault the very first turn.

After you have taken Byzantium youll want to send your spy/spies to the rebel settlement in between you and Macedon ( I cant remember the name, but its a small town). If it is still rebel then take it right away. It will give a boost to your economy and server as a first warning against an attack from Greece or Macedon.

If it is not still rebel owned and is owned by Macedon or Dacia, then leave it alone for the time being. Early on you need to build up defense against Greece and Macedon, not attack them.

The next town you should take is the one to the north of your capital (once again I cant remember the name ). It has a reasonable garrison of rebels and a Stone Wall, so conduct a good assault so you dont loose to many men. Once you have taken this town, you are done with your conquest for a while. It is time to build up your defense.

I suggest you ally with Dacia from the start. They are a good ally to have and can help you in some small skirmishes, and if you eventually both go to war with Macedon or Greece they can be helpful in distratcing the Macedonians or Greeks.

Now, you want to build up your economy fast. You do have enough men in your starting army to fend off some early attacks, but a few years in you are vulnerable. At your capital build some more troops for that army and make it bigger. This army is your primary defense force, so dont put them into action until the enemy attacks you first. With Byzantium try to get its economy up fast, but also get a stone wall up around it quickly as well. It is an important city to control, so keep it defended well, and keep you army in marching distance at all times.



Well thats about it for a good start as Thrace. Once you build up like that then you might want to take a few Macedonian cities, or expand into Asia Minor. Thats all up to you though.

[Marlboro]

Thank you for the advice.

I had the towns your advised, it is just Greece were, well unstoppable. They just had endless armies that continued to head north. My 3 remaining family members all had 3 gold chevrons, plenty of command stars etc, and most of my troops were hardened veterans.

I fought long, hard, and won countless battles, but their strength in numbers and sacking of my settlements, I hadn't a chance in hell.

Give it a day or so, and I shall begin another Thrace game, not sure what it is about them, they just have a certain charm.

[Hader]

Thank you for the advice.

I had the towns your advised, it is just Greece were, well unstoppable. They just had endless armies that continued to head north. My 3 remaining family members all had 3 gold chevrons, plenty of command stars etc, and most of my troops were hardened veterans.

I fought long, hard, and won countless battles, but their strength in numbers and sacking of my settlements, I hadn't a chance in hell.

Give it a day or so, and I shall begin another Thrace game, not sure what it is about them, they just have a certain charm.

Yes, I know that these guys can be a pain, but the same thing happened to me, with wave after wave of them. I still managed to hold them off, you just have to fight every battle and try to keep all your men.