Will enemy factions attack crusade armies?

**Medieval Knievel** · November 23, 2006, 05:13 PM

I'm playing as England and I'm presently at war with France and Denmark, which is unfortunate because I want to march my crusader army right through their territories in order to get to Jerusalem.

1. Will enemy factions attack my crusader army?

2. What's the quickest way to get to Jerusalem? Boat all the way or march or both?

**Sitarus Originalus PM-30+** · November 23, 2006, 05:24 PM

1) i am playin HRE and my crusade armies have been attacked many times so far... so my ansver is YES! =)

2) depends from where you choose to travel to Jerusalem... (i prefer water)

**pero** · November 23, 2006, 06:05 PM

yeah the best way is to get there by boats.
that way you army wont have to fight on the land until it gets to the holy land

**yobert** · November 23, 2006, 06:23 PM

I am pretty sure that catholic nations are not alwoed to attack crusade armys

**Molina** · November 23, 2006, 06:35 PM

Originally Posted by yobert

I am pretty sure that catholic nations are not alwoed to attack crusade armys

They can, but they get excommunicated. I don't know if the AI would do this, tough.

Ships are good, but make sure you have enough of them to defend from pirates or, most of the time, the Egyptian fleet.

**pero** · November 23, 2006, 07:07 PM

Originally Posted by yobert

I am pretty sure that catholic nations are not alwoed to attack crusade armys

yes but what if that faction is excommunicated already and is in war with you
and you have to go through his land
they will attack you for sure if they get the chance

**Albion Crusader** · November 23, 2006, 06:29 PM

Originally Posted by pero

yeah the best way is to get there by boats.
that way you army wont have to fight on the land until it gets to the holy land

Yeah, until your boats get sunk taking your crusader army with them. I could just see that happening...

**2ltben** · November 23, 2006, 06:36 PM

Attacking a crusader army gets you excommunicated, so don't travel through non-Catholic faction territory or territories of factions the Pope doesn't hold in favor.

**Albion Crusader** · November 23, 2006, 11:45 PM

I find boats are the best option if you're traveling from England. Unfortunately, however, you tend to lose several units to desertion as you make your way around the coast of France/Spain.

Definitely good advice to have a strong navy carrying them because the journey there is frought with peril.

**Rupertel** · November 24, 2006, 02:36 AM

well, if you have enough time left to join the crusade, you can just move the army + fleet to gibraltar, go to land there, join the cursade, re-enter the boats and don't have any desertion

**Oddball_E8** · November 24, 2006, 02:41 AM

if youre playing england i suggest a quick march down to the mediterranian and from there use boats (mercenary boats that is)

**ablitzkrieg** · November 24, 2006, 02:54 AM

Make sure you dont get on a boat that isnt in the mediterranian or else your units WILL desert you.

I found the most efficient way (as England) is to march your army down to venice and have them trail along the coast for 2-3 turns picking up mercenary naval units. Once you have about 5-6 ships, board and head over there.

**Albion Crusader** · November 24, 2006, 06:47 AM

Originally Posted by ablitzkrieg

Make sure you dont get on a boat that isnt in the mediterranian or else your units WILL desert you.

I found the most efficient way (as England) is to march your army down to venice and have them trail along the coast for 2-3 turns picking up mercenary naval units. Once you have about 5-6 ships, board and head over there.

The problem with marching across Europe is the risk of being attacked by Johnny-foreigner or having your general killed by an inquisitor. It's better to go by boat and risk some of your army rather than go by land and risk your general(s).

**ProudNerd** · November 24, 2006, 07:46 AM

dont ever go by boat there wayyyyyyyy too many pirates.and id assume anyone who attacks a crusade army wll be insatnly exconed so i dont think they will.

**Flavius Nevitta** · November 24, 2006, 10:09 AM

playing an VH/VH 1st campaign with France, 2nd with England. I always march down to the coast in Southern France, somewhere near Marseille and get ships there. Fastest way to the east and I never met any pirates or lost any unit because of desertion. Just take a straight route in the middle of the mediterranean sea and everything should be fine. Avoid the straits of Messina (between Sicily and Italy) if there is any ship in this area you might get stuck for some rounds. Take the route around Sicily instead.

**carl-the-conqueror** · November 24, 2006, 10:17 AM

catholic nations wont attack you, and you can not attack catholic nations (with the crusade army) and you can pass through theyre defenses and such

**Albion Crusader** · November 24, 2006, 10:33 AM

If you go by land there's every possibility that you could get attacked by Islamic factions on the way to Jerusalem. Also, inquisitors can kill generals of crusading armies in Christian lands. It's best to go by boat if you can but, as has been previously said in this thread, you risk losing some of your units to desertion when you sail around the coast of France/Spain. Once you get to the pillars of Hercules (Gibralter) it should be plain-sailing as long as you have a decent enough fleet.

You can always briefly stop-off on land several times along the way in order to recruit more soldiers.