How to play as Sylvania?

[vef215]

I'm playing as Sylvania on very easy campaign difficulty and very hard battle difficulty.

I'm on turn 18, and a crusade has been called on my capital.

I have 4 cities, and 1 full stack with my faction leader. I have 5 cavalry units, 1 arty, and empire halberds and skeleton swords/spears. Each city has a couple skeleton reserves.

There are FIVE Empire stacks around my capital now.

1.) Averland Full Stack
-Silver Chevron Warrior Priests
-SC Greatswords
-Tons of knights
-SC Bright Wizards
-SC Witch Hunters

2.) Nordland 3/4th Stack
-3 Cavalry Generals
-Warrior Priests
-Plenty of ranged units

3.) Middenland Half Stack
-SC Teutogen Guard
-SC Bright Wizards
-SC Warrior Priests

4.) Wissenland Full Stack
-Lots of SC rifle units
-SC Bright Wizards
-Lots of knights

5.) Reikland Half Stack
-Warrior Priests
-Witch Hunters
-Tons of Reiksguard foot units

How in the am I supposed to do anything about this crusade by turn 18 with 4 settlements?

I've been barely beating back full stack after full stack of Silver Chevron Stirland troops since turn 1. I hammer and anvil constantly, use the terror artillery, and target their general units to win. I still lose lots of troops in each battle.

It's impossible

Any help?

[Vossie]

This is the best tip I've read for Sylvania: http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showt...Factions/page2

Maltacus post about the army composition is really helpful.

With an army like that you'll destroy their stacks. No doubt tho, Sylvania is a pretty hard faction to start with.
Exploit your merchants so they make you a nice coin on the side to finance your struggle. Remember your units are fearless and have no stamina.

PS: The crusade sucks tho.. saving each turn can prevent an early crusade. In my campaign I was lucky and only got a crusade called on my capital around turn 60-70.

[Vette]

I have played Sylvania many times,never managed to complete tho becousde of buggs.I usualy abandon Blood keap and start building all units I can including 1 screamingskul catapult and all mercs.That is usualy enough to repel initial 2 stacks.If crusade is called on me I let them take it,preferably small army from the northern empire is perfect.From there its quite simple take any oportunity you can and be patient.
In 1 campaign I tryed a tactic I use with DE.I abandoned Sylvania and moved to BP area,imo thier army is much easier to handle and Dwarves often leave their holds poorly protected.I think its actualy very good strategy,as always build 1 screeming skull before you move.