# New SDMB Cooperative Total War Game **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [December 14, 2008, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-sdmb-cooperative-total-war-game/477174 "2008-12-14T23:33:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2008, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-sdmb-cooperative-total-war-game/477174/1 "2008-12-14T23:33:39Z")
Okay, I started it. It’s turn 26 and we have 21 regions. Yes, you read that right. Mr. Kobayashi gets to mow the rest down. Nobody hates you. Everyone loves you. ---
**Author:** ![appleciders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85f322/32.png) [@appleciders](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/appleciders)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2008, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-sdmb-cooperative-total-war-game/477174/2 "2008-12-15T05:51:25Z")
And we’re playing to beat the Timurids, not conquer the world, right? Where have you expanded to? ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2008, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-sdmb-cooperative-total-war-game/477174/3 "2008-12-15T06:00:13Z")
Um. Well. You see, I kinda expanded…everywhere. I have a hold in Northwestern France, up into Russia, a couple places in the Middle East, some in Germany, up around the Black Sea. So yeah, we expanded a touch. We started with 2 regions and now we have 21. If memory serves me right, it should be 23. We had a rebellion in Algiers and one in the large Middle-Eastern state in the very lower right. We’re not at war with anyone. That’s nice, with a massive empire and the need to turtle for a bit (which I was working on as of turn 22, I swear). ---
**Author:** ![appleciders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85f322/32.png) [@appleciders](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/appleciders)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2008, 8:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-sdmb-cooperative-total-war-game/477174/4 "2008-12-15T08:23:21Z")
Oh, my. What’s working for you tactically? Are you using lots of Polish Nobles, or what? ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2008, 8:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-sdmb-cooperative-total-war-game/477174/5 "2008-12-15T08:25:40Z")
My WAG is he’s abusing crusade mechanics & mercenaries 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2008, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-sdmb-cooperative-total-war-game/477174/6 "2008-12-15T17:29:51Z")
Diplomacy. The problem with the Poles in the beginning is that their units are good in the beginning, but overpriced. If you go on a spending spree, you’ll go bankrupt. You need t build a town hall or a bowyer before you get into attacking anything. I id get some Polish nobles. That was the small army I have left in northern Germany. I took over northeast France with woodsmen, Lithuanian archers, and spearmen. That’s it. Another problem is when you get a territory way far away from your homeland and it’s staffed with mercenaries. The upkeep costs don’t help at all. In that case, build a town hall or a bowyer as fast as you can and get it stocked with cheap troops with little (or no) upkeep. Also, I ignored the first crusade that the Pope sent out. I didn’t have the troops to do it. That and I hadn’t talked to the Egyptians yet, so I didn’t want to piss them off before I pimped them out of land. I’ve covered my diplomacy strategies in the previous Total War campaign thread. ---
**Author:** ![appleciders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85f322/32.png) [@appleciders](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/appleciders)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2008, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-sdmb-cooperative-total-war-game/477174/7 "2008-12-15T18:54:04Z")
Oh, I do love those woodsmen. They did a lot of heavy lifting for me when I was playing as Russia. You have to keep them out of the line of fire of the enemy archers, but since they’re practically free (170 recruitment and only 70 upkeep! That’s cheaper than peasants after paying three or four turns of upkeep!) you can afford to lose a whole bunch of them in any given battle. And 13 attack and armor-piercing, if I remember. I have fond memories of using spearmen to stop a general’s charge, then flanking that general with woodsmen from both sides. Also, my research is showing no difference at all between Polish Knights and Polish Guard except that Polish Knights cost less upkeep. Can we all agree to standardize on the Knights when it comes time? ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2008, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-sdmb-cooperative-total-war-game/477174/8 "2008-12-15T18:59:24Z")
> [@appleciders](#): > > Oh, I do love those woodsmen. They did a lot of heavy lifting for me when I was playing as Russia. You have to keep them out of the line of fire of the enemy archers, but since they’re practically free (170 recruitment and only 70 upkeep! That’s cheaper than peasants after paying three or four turns of upkeep!) you can afford to lose a whole bunch of them in any given battle. And 13 attack and armor-piercing, if I remember. I have fond memories of using spearmen to stop a general’s charge, then flanking that general with woodsmen from both sides. > > Also, my research is showing no difference at all between Polish Knights and Polish Guard except that Polish Knights cost less upkeep. Can we all agree to standardize on the Knights when it comes time? I had an all woodsman and Viking army when I was the Danes. That was a pretty badass army with some cavalry and archers sprinkled in. ---
**Author:** ![appleciders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85f322/32.png) [@appleciders](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/appleciders)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2008, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-sdmb-cooperative-total-war-game/477174/9 "2008-12-15T19:01:53Z")
Those Danish Vikings are great! Cheap, plentiful, and armor-piercing. Can’t go wrong there. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Kobayashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4af34b/32.png) [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2008, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-sdmb-cooperative-total-war-game/477174/10 "2008-12-16T00:37:31Z")
> [@](#): > > Welcome to the news at 10; all the happenings in the Kingdom of Poland. > > Our main stories tonight: > Egyptian betrayal as their navy blockades Polish port of Adana, Turkey. Heavy Egyptian military presence in the area around Antioch prevents immediate response. > Ryazan and Volga-Bulgar secured in the name of Poland. > The Byzantine Empire allies with the treacherous Egyptians. In response to this insult, Polish forces based from Adana launch an invasion of Cyprus. [The resulting battle](http://img67.imageshack.us/my.php?image=battleofcyprusos5.jpg) was described by an army spokesman as “A clear victory, which goes to only men of great virtue and valour!” The battle left one Byzantine family member dead. > Byzantine forces retaliated by seizing the Polish village of Durazzo. Slavic mercenaries fought well, but were defeated in a bloody struggle which left the [Byzantine faction heir dead.](http://img206.imageshack.us/my.php?image=battleofdurazzoej1.jpg) > Polish forces [seized rebel-held Antwerp](http://img135.imageshack.us/my.php?image=battleofantwerpza7.jpg) in a move sure to bring stability to the area. > War erupts between the Holy Roman Empire and Kingdom of Poland. Vienna is captured, Innsbruck under siege. Polish alliance with Milan is described by a spokesman as “in tatters.”. > Catholics the world over are united in mourning following the passing of His Holiness Pope Gregory. A new Hungarian Pope has been unanimously elected, and described Poland’s faith as “…inspirational.” > Looking to secure his new position, His Holiness has called a crusade against Jerusalem. > Despicable treason strikes again! This time from Portugal, who blockade Caen. Polish response is swift and brutal; [Pamplona is taken](http://img71.imageshack.us/img71/6563/battleofpamplonaqj6.jpg) and a Knight Hospitalier recruitment center established. Polish army spokesman Captain Aleksy described the retribution as a heroic victory, noting that; “…our foe is utterly vanquished! Let all who remember this day, remember it as the day of our most glorious victory!” > 20 turns in, our Regent and Sovereign Lord has departed this mortal plane. The king is dead, long live the king! > > **For Polish eyes only. Seal orders regarding war plans:** > Army group west is stationed in Pamplona, poised to take Portuguese held Zaragoza. > Army group south is currently besieging Innsbruck; victory is imminent. Note: Venice holds Milan, and has allied with our friends, the French. The Milanese still hold Genoa, Dijon and Metz - possible objectives for this army group. > Army group north is stationed south of Nuremburg and awaiting reinforcements from Magdeburg. Advise a swift march on Staufen. > Army group east is held up in Adana following multiple Egyptian assaults. Recon reports Antioch is too well fortified for immediate assault at this time. > > Civic duties: The cities of Krakow and Kiev are now ready to be upgraded. > Financial situation: Advise sacking any expendable enemy cities to refill our coffers for the war effort. Can whoever is after me PM me their email and I’ll send over the save file? ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2008, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-sdmb-cooperative-total-war-game/477174/11 "2008-12-16T00:46:14Z")
Muwhahaha. Exactly how I planned. War broke out after my effort. I’m very glad that I built up that area in France. I’m sure that helped you a bunch when working down towards Spain. Good work, kind sir. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Kobayashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4af34b/32.png) [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2008, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-sdmb-cooperative-total-war-game/477174/12 "2008-12-16T01:33:28Z")
Indeed. I launched the attack on the Portuguese from Bordeaux/Angers. I’ve been recruiting armies comprised largely of Polish Nobles (who have surprisingly good melee abilities; once they’re out of ammunition, ram them into flanks, rout city) and Srzerchysomething, the crossbow ones who are also good for wheeling around the flanks - the usual horse archer caveat applies with those, though - stay well away from melee. [The state of the Polish Empire, 1170 A.D.](http://img227.imageshack.us/my.php?image=empireql0.jpg) The Iberian front pictured. Once we’ve got Zaragoza we can march south and take out the Moorish presence. A Polish reconquista? Only on the SDMB. I’m annoyed that I lost Durazzo, but there was nothing else I could do. We’re in quite a good position to attack the Byzantines though; down from Hylach/Iasi and across from Adana/Nicosia. Diplomatic assessment: Don’t trust any of our allies as far as you can throw them. Denmark, France, England, Hungary, Turkey and Spain all have adjacent borders, meaning there’s a possibility any of them could attack at any time. Keep a particular eye on the large English force in Bruges menacing Antwerp, and the Danish forces milling about around Thorn. War is very likely with Milan, Venice (and then France, should they side with their new friends) and the Moors, should we push further into Iberia. ---
**Author:** ![appleciders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85f322/32.png) [@appleciders](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/appleciders)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2008, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-sdmb-cooperative-total-war-game/477174/13 "2008-12-16T01:56:59Z")
Here’s the order-of-play list reposted from the other thread: Least Original User Name Ever Ludovic Mr. Kobayashi Interconnected Series Of Tubes I Gukumatz Kinthalis appleciders ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2008, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-sdmb-cooperative-total-war-game/477174/14 "2008-12-16T02:02:19Z")
I didn’t think we’d get to be able to keep Durazzo. It’s a shitty territory I got from the Byzantines anyways. ---
**Author:** ![Gukumatz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/74df32/32.png) [@Gukumatz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gukumatz)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2008, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-sdmb-cooperative-total-war-game/477174/15 "2008-12-17T01:12:08Z")
If ISOT can make his turn wednesday or thursday, I can do mine friday afternoon. After that it looks like I’m off for jul with my parents. 🙂 (So, skip me if ISOT can’t make it before like 5PM GMT+1 this friday) ---
**Author:** ![appleciders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85f322/32.png) [@appleciders](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/appleciders)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2008, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-sdmb-cooperative-total-war-game/477174/16 "2008-12-17T02:31:00Z")
I rarely succeed in keeping Durazzo. It’s a lousy, indefensible little piece of worthlessness. Not profitable, not useful, just not worth it. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2008, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-sdmb-cooperative-total-war-game/477174/17 "2008-12-17T19:48:14Z")
It’s useful to the Italians and Greeks as a stepping stone into each other’s peninsulas, but that’s about it. Not worth it until it naturally grows into a city by whomever conquers it unless you’re going thataway anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2008, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-sdmb-cooperative-total-war-game/477174/18 "2008-12-17T19:56:13Z")
Sometimes it can get overlooked and you can build it up. I almost always get it in negotiations. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Kobayashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4af34b/32.png) [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2008, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-sdmb-cooperative-total-war-game/477174/19 "2008-12-17T20:29:53Z")
For some bizarre reason I can’t PM **Interconnected Series Of Tubes** , if he’s (?) reading this can y’all send me the email you want us to send the save game file over to? ---
**Author:** ![Kinthalis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kinthalis/32/16084_2.png) [@Kinthalis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kinthalis)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2008, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-sdmb-cooperative-total-war-game/477174/20 "2008-12-19T01:13:07Z")
I’m having issues PM’ing Gukumatz, but I did get your IM Guku, send me your email and I’ll write you there. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-sdmb-cooperative-total-war-game/477174.md?page=2)