Tarsus ==> HELP!!

[clayson4908]

I started Tarsus last night and lost my @ss! I try to do both scenarios at each campaign level but I have a feeling that this one is beyond my military skill and interest level.

In my first try, I built my housing on the plateau but like Mikanius discovered that there is an issue with water running up hill. On my second try, I built my housing at the south end of the plateau, assuming that the top of the terrain map is north, and put my industries on the plateau. Because I knew, I was going to need to build an army quickly and would need money, I tried to maximize my labor force and my initial build included the following:

24 insulae and 4 domus
3 trade routes that let me sell marble, jewelry, and weapons and armor
2 of each farms, 4 marble mines, 4 iron mines and 4 timber cutters
I imported pottery to evolve my insulae
Built 4 weapons and jewelry factories and waited for wool before placing my armor factories
Built a recruiting center and when I had 20 weapons exported weapons while I built up armor before place my mess hall and first fort

I met Caesar’s first demand and by the time the first invasion came, I had 1 heavy infantry cohort, 1 archer cohort and part of a light infantry cohort – they were completely over run in the by the invasion force and they totaled my city – the prefects could not repel them. I considered bribing them, but earlier experience indicated that if you bribe them they just come back sooner and there is more of them.

I looked a Keith’s comments and snapshots and read Mikanius’ comments about water – after thinking about it, there is no tactical advantage to building on the plateau – it is easily accessible on all sides.

Any ideas from our military experts?

[MarkDuffy]

Originally Posted by clayson4908

Any ideas from our military experts?

Yeah, I'm absolutely looking forward to playing THIS one, if I ever get there in the next year or so!

(Sorry)

From looking at your post, Clayson, perhaps don't export weapons quickly & go with many Light Infrantry early, instead of a Sheep Industry. Mars overkill for Cohort Training benevolences to get them to Expert & the second Mars Dedication to get the "more deadly" one. First Mars Dedication is "weapons & armor more quickly". Not as good as Elite, but it's something.

Try TEN Weapons Factories. FULL employment small insulae calculated before you ever get off pause.

Towers, if there is a chokepoint.

My gameplay philosophy would change, depending on when the first invasion comes. I prepare for the worst.

EDIT: Desperate times call for desperate measures. Spend youself into debt first thing & gift to your city for funds & to Caesar for the negative debt to keep your favor up.

[Keith]

I went into debt early by adding a long section of wall on the side of my city that the enemy approach from. I added towers to this wall and tried to fight my battles in front of this wall so the wall guards and towers could give support to my troops. That managed to get me through the first attack safely. After that I just added more forts of all types. I used the cavalry for quick movement to intercept the catapults where I could.

Below are the incremental saves I made of Tarsus as I played. The victory save is in my Tarsus Completed thread so I won't post that one again.

Take and learn from my saves what you will. Tarsus1 is just the empty map so I didn't upload it.

[clayson4908]

MD -- Thanks for your suggestions, and yes I am sure you will enjoy Tarsus. Its a great map, with good space and plenty of resources.

Keith -- Thanks for your saves, I will look them over. I am sure there is a lot that I can learn from them about Tarsus and C4.

Thanks again --

[Anaxamenes]

Originally Posted by clayson4908

I considered bribing them, but earlier experience indicated that if you bribe them they just come back sooner and there is more of them.

This is not true. See this thread http://www.tiltedmill.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11906