What to do next?

[Bowsling]

In my game, I'm Russia, and isolated (as far as I know) on an island with the vikings. I've already fought two wars with them, and ended up getting a city torched both times. In the attached save, I've just surrendered Vladivostok to the Vikings. In the wilderness near Arhus, I have a raiding party designed to capture Arhus in a surprise attack, and in the meantime, I have an army regrouping in St.Petersburg to recapture Vladivostok. Both raids are part of an attempt to deny the Vikings of iron. Vladivostok is also a city with incredible tactical value, being very difficult to capture, owing to the surrounding forests and mountains. What do you guys recommend?

 

[TheOverseer714]

You need to build more towns, and you need more workers. You also need to get a few curraghs out, see whats out there. Don't go right back to war with the Vikings, you probably have already ruined your trade reputation, but it can get worse. Wait 19 turns, build your number of swords and group them by sixes. Rostov should be building settlers and workers, in fact the sword build should be a worker, who should then irrigate that cities environs. Also, the Vikings have multiple sources of horses, sothat shuld be your bigger worry. Dinner now, be back later.

 

[Bowsling]

Actually, I believe my trading reputation is fine, as the first war was my refusal to give Mysticism, and the second was the Vikings surprise-attacking me during a right of passage. I have tried to capture Bergen unsuccessfully a few times. I often find iron to be a bigger worry than horses myself.
Thanks for the advice!

 

[TheOverseer714]

I played about 60 turns and found it to be tough sledding when the large groups of Viking horsemen took their toll. It wasn't unwinnable, but would be tough to finish it. The Iron wasn't even hooked up.

 

[Bowsling]

I'll finish the vikings with cossacks hopefully.

 

[AutomatedTeller]

Just don't get killed by berserkers first. Those suckers are a pain in the butt....