Portugal

**BastileBreakdown** · December 13, 2006, 10:59 PM

I finally managed to unlock all the factions ^_^.

Firstly though, I played as Milan, and easily being the financial hub-bub of the Medieval World gets boring. Then, I tried something a little bit more challenging (in my value) by playing as Portugal.

I know in the earlier stages, Portugal is weak, but later on, as the years pass by and technology improves, that with it, Portugal gains some of the best units.

However, playing as Portugal is a bit confusing. Being under threat from France, Moors, and Spain is not welcoming, and so with being overpowered by enemy forces due to the Portuguese weakness in early units, I need help with strategizing.

How should I start off with Portugal? I think taking Zaragosa is a good idea before the Spanish or the French move in it, then I'm assuming Valencia should be next. After the conquests, should you make economy a priority, or should I, early in the game, blitz' Spain or Moors?

Thanks in advance.

**robban19** · December 14, 2006, 07:23 AM

I took a blitz on spain from the get go. And then i focused my efforts on the moors. I had 2 castles and maybe 5 cities. Made a couple of ships and took out the 2 islands east of iberia. Got in a war with france later, but they're history now. Englands next on the list

The moors are also gone.
Got trade agreements with everybody else.

**normanknight** · December 15, 2006, 08:20 AM

ITs always more fun to build your economy first give the AI time to do something bliting is boring

**Veritas** · December 15, 2006, 06:02 PM

At the beginning you do have the armies to take out Spain. If you attack right away you can defeat them within 10 turns or so. You could call it blitzing if you want but I'm not talking about you building up forces. I'm just talking about what each country starts with.

**MadKow** · December 16, 2006, 06:07 AM

It's possible to defeat the spanish in 4-5 turns, as the AI tends to let their cities poorly defended.
I do find annoying that i have to constantly fight off France, as i would much prefer to focus on the Moors but it appears to be easier to sustain a peace with them than with France.

**Dragon897** · December 17, 2006, 03:15 AM

how did you unlock all the factions? is scotland one of them?

**impar** · December 17, 2006, 05:50 AM

Greetings!

Unlocking the factions:
Go to ...\Medieval II Total War\data\world\maps\campaign\imperial_campaign
open descr_strat.txt and cut and paste the factions in the Unlockable section to the Playable section.

Do not touch on the nonplayable factions!

Make a copy before editing the file!

**EmperorJulian** · December 19, 2006, 08:24 AM

I too subscribe to the "blitz Spain" option. It's not ideal, and it's not what I prefer but M2TW is very difficult, on Hard/Hard anyway if you let the AI do what it wants. I've been overwhelmed myself many times by full stack armies when I neglect to blitz immediately. You could alternatively blitz the Moors, but I find doing so is a less appealing option from the outset, as it leaves you with what amounts to divided lands. What I would do is forgo Zaragosa, and Valencia and shoot right for Castile and Leon. Once they fall consolidate your position by taking the remaining rebel provinces, then smash the Moors.

You can make the Moorish threat less acute if you block the Straits of Gibraltar with a fleet, though the AI does naval invasions now, it would help a lot if you maintained naval supremacy early and often. Personally I then like to beef up security around Navarre and Aragon and then head into Africa, but what you're planning expansion wise would dictatate your next moves. Anyway, good luck.

**impar** · December 19, 2006, 09:23 AM

Greetings!

Pamplona army (plus mercenaries and new trained troops) takes Zaragoza and Valencia.
Lisbon army (plus mercenaries and new trained troops) takes Cordoba and Granada.

Fleet blocks Gibraltar strait.

Expect Sicilians, Milaneses and English amphibious invasions.

When Spain attacks you, she will fall from the Popes graces and then you can attack her at will. Go for Leon first.

At turn 45, in vanilla 1.1, the pennisula was Portugals.

**Mig el Pig** · December 19, 2006, 05:46 PM

If you want a fun challenge, take any european faction, load all their troops in boats, and head for the middle east

currently doing it with the danes and having loads of fun running around in the dessert with my axemen.

**Hex Khan** · December 19, 2006, 05:57 PM

''yes take the pligrimage to the holy places may god guide all those who partake in the holy crusades with his wisdom, grace and win remittion for your past sins! East you will have salvation ever lasting....

not to forget the pillaging and looting rights and lands of course''- Hex Khan

thats right you heard it now join in and go east and take your entire faction with you! just like Mig el Pig says
lol

**Veritas** · December 19, 2006, 07:34 PM

I've done that with the French, Portuguese, HRE, and Scots. VERY FUN! Makes a whole new spin on everything. Also puts you at the disadvantage that the Turks normally have - when the Mongols and Tims come, you are literally fighting for your life.