Selucids

[PhalanxPhlattener]

Wat is the best beginning campeign stratgey for the Selucids. Should i work on creating a powerful army or should i concentrate on economic growth.

[Mr.AK-47]

When I play the Seleucid Empire, I usally quickly get some defences up since you start surronded by enemies (Pontus,Egypt,Parthia). Whilst sitting in my cities I grow the population and then start with the armys and conquer the East :illgetyou

[PhalanxPhlattener]

I build up my armies Because Egypt always attacks me, ut i dont spend time to build up my defences so pontus attacks me and i hav to fight off two pretty strong enemies.

[Trajan]

Moved to the Total War Battle Planning sub-forum.

[Ramsing]

You're probably best off to focus on Egypt first and foremost, then focus on Pontus. Usually Parthia doesn't become too much of a problem until later on when thier tech tree really starts to become available.

[Nebuchadnezzar]

Here's my campaign extract that works like a charm.

The Seleucids have the best unit selection later in game but also have it rather tough at the start being surrounded by enemies and only the militia hoplite as it main starting unit. On VH/VH expect Egypt, Pontus, Armenia, Parthia and Greek Cities to attack within the first moves, so strike first!

I didn't bother about alliances or rebels towns for the start. Instead I took my faction leader and all he could muster and headed for Sidon. Take your nearby Diplomat to negotiate traderights with Egypt and ask 1500 dinari. They will agree. On turn two besige it. It only contains a small force and easily taken on turn 3. Retrain and recruit what you can and on turn four head for Jerusalem. At this point hope your faction leader doesn't die of old age. After taking Jerusalem Egypt shouldn't be a problem for a while. I chose to enslave to help my under-developed towns grow a little quicker. During these first moves I used any new family members to build a fort in the pass NW of Tarsus. This is where Pontus normally like to attack from. Hatra also gets repeatedly attacked very early by Armenia and with all my resources already stretched to deal with Egypt and Pontus I chose to keep my forces to 3x militia hoplites + militia cavalry + general (if available). The strategy was that with a small force Armenia would choose to assault the town rather than starve it. Besides, this early in the game there is no relief force possible and fighting horse archers with hoplites isn't much fun. Instead 3x hoplites just on the very edge of the town square right next to the road that leads from the gate should do the job perfectly. Armenia is so persistant that my hoplites soon had silver chevrons.
Seleucia should also deal with Susa as soon as its force leaves to take the rebel town of Dumatha. If you don't you will soon have to deal with a very large force of horse archers coming down from the mountains.
Finally, Sardis should be built up to produce a few cavalry units and attack the rebel town of Helicarnasus and then on to Crete. By now Greek Cities will be at war with either Macedon or Scipii so attack Pergamun. Besides they probably would have declared war on you by then. Your borders are now mostly secure and free to take the rebel areas and expand in any direction you wish. I tend to leave Egypt the three main cities and watch until Memphis has the largest temple of Horus built. It will upgrade all units (except missile troops) to gold and thats when I want it.

[Gryphon]

I also like to focus on egypt first.

To keep pontus/armenia/parthia off my back I like to build forts in all the northern mountain passes and on all the bridges. The only time any of them ever actually attack is when they sneak through. This gives plenty of time to deal with egypt.

Also, in the beginning of the game, buy mercenary units whenever possible since they are usually stronger than units you can produce, often have lower upkeep costs, and maybe most importantly in the early game, they do not reduce the population of your towns which you want to be growing.

Good luck.

[PhalanxPhlattener]

Ill try all all of thoughs. thanks for the tips.

[PhalanxPhlattener]

When i installed rtw i did a brutii campeign and i moved a full banner army to asia minor and attacked the selucids untill they were gone just to unlock them, they r my favorite faction.

[augustusingreen]

destroy egypt earlie and alliance with rome!

[Erwin Rommel]

economy ally w/ those around then build!