Need Help Defeating French...

[ChickinSht]

I'm playing a Standard map on Monarch mode. I'm on a continent with the French, they have the top half and I have the bottom. Their production capability is about equal to mine, except they have the only source of iron I know of (begining of medieval age, no other contacts). The best I can do is send in wave after wave of horsemen, which are met by wave after wave of swordsmen. Obviously, I lose. Any tips on how I can beat the frogmen would be most appreciated.

 

[hifisoftware]

I guess that depends on number of things.
Most obvious is if you can expand somewhere maybe you'll hit iron soon. But you probably know that already. Assuming that you can not expand, ask French to sell you iron (for $ per turn, not lump sum) and build swordsmen. Before you do it make sure that you make a bunch of horsemen. Once you are paying for iron make sure you use it as fast as you can. Go as far as starting production of horseman in many sites and after you have one turn left to finish them buy iron and switch to swordsmen. Then attack. Here is one trick that I never used, but I think it will work. Before war get everything you can (lump sum money, research, map) from French by offereing $ per turn. Once you got it, declare war. Once war is declared you will not have do honor that agreement and you will not have to pay anything. I think he will get very pissed so after you get his first city (with iron I presume) you would need to hold his attacks for couple of turns before he will agree to talk to you and then make peace (and ask him to pay some money).

 

[hifisoftware]

I guess that depends on number of things.
Most obvious is if you can expand somewhere maybe you'll hit iron soon. But you probably know that already. Assuming that you can not expand, ask French to sell you iron (for $ per turn, not lump sum) and build swordsmen. Before you do it make sure that you make a bunch of horsemen. Once you are paying for iron make sure you use it as fast as you can. Go as far as starting production of horseman in many sites and after you have one turn left to finish them buy iron and switch to swordsmen. Then attack. Here is one trick that I never used, but I think it will work. Before war get everything you can (lump sum money, research, map) from French by offereing $ per turn. Once you got it, declare war. Once war is declared you will not have do honor that agreement and you will not have to pay anything. I think he will get very pissed so after you get his first city (with iron I presume) you would need to hold his attacks for couple of turns before he will agree to talk to you and then make peace (and ask him to pay some money).

 

[ChickinSht]

Thanks. Three slight problems, though. One, I can't expand anywhere, at least until I can travel across sea/ocean squares. Two, there is only one source of iron and they won't sell it for any price. Third is that taking the iron city isn't a problem, it's holding it. The city is in the middle of their territory, so I can't get any iron back in my main cities, can't produce anything there due to rebels, and can't get my reinforcements there quicker than they can pound me out. I'll try that money/turn trick, see how that works out.

 

[stravaig]

Chick -

It's early in the game. As much as you'd love to go squash the French, I might delay those plans.
Instead, focus on getting mapmaking & etc, and get out and about with some settlers. You might find another civ that is willing to trade you iron, or you might find a place with iron where you can plop down a city and rush a port. In the meantime, build up your infrastructure, culture, and production capacity.
Throwing yourself against superior French troops is only going to slow you down in the long run.

Get yourself into a stronger position before going for dominance of the continent. And keep Joan happy in the meantime.

Just a thought.

- Stravaig

 

[hifisoftware]

yes, I figured that you can't trade it since you said theire is only one, but only after I posted my post.

Here is another thing to try. I heard that AI sends most of it's troops to fight your invasion right away. If you have good defensive units, you can put bunch of them on the the iron (I hope it's in the mountains). Pillage his roads so he will not be able to make any more swordsman. Then sit and let him expend them. While that's going on you should build some units. Once you feel that he used most of his swordman attack the city. For prolong defence catapult might be usefull. It can shoot every turn and hopefully soften swordman somewhat. Hope it helps.

 

[hifisoftware]

but at the end I must agree with stravaig. It better to be nice until you can really kick butt

 

[ChickinSht]

Hey, thanks. Normally, I don't like declaring war, but there is literally nowhere else to go, and without iron, I would just get farther and farther behind. I had already destroyed the other civ on the island, rather unsportsmanlike, so my diplomatic reputation was for sht. I used a modified part of your strat; instead of rushing the iron with spearmen, I just took the city and loaded it with a ton of them. Then, I paid for peace. Without iron, they crumpled against my next onslaught. Thanks for the advice. Taking them out was an utter *****, but now I've got an entire continent and a few hundred years before I can even meet another civ.

 

[Sam_Catchem]

Watch out though!...once a civ knows it has the advantage it usually takes it! Swordsman are bad asses. Keep your defense up..and get ready to counter attack with catapults. If the French know you do not have Iron they may try to take the advantage..which is smart..cuz I would.