When do we attack Babylon?

[Chieftess]

I think we're getting close to an optimal knight factory, perhaps within the next 10-20 turns. We can move 20 knights to Babylon's eastern side, and build up 10 knights on the west side. A scout (knight) during the last turnchat revealed that Babylon's east side is, at best, defended by Spearmen. They do have some knights, but are also tied up with Germany. We could ask India to join in, too.


The primary goal will be to take out atlesat 3 of Babylon's eastern cities (Zarquim, Larsa, and Lagash). The south-eastern city of Ellipi is a secondary target, but can still be attacked on the first turn. It also serves as a buffer so that Germany doesn't expand.

The western attack force will focus on Ashur and Akkad (Akkad being a primary target). We could actually Attack Babylon itself on turn 3 of the war, but that's being overly optimistic.

3rd tier targets would be Babylon, Ur, and Nineveh.
4th tier targets would be Uruk and Kish.

We could ask India to attack the Babylonian "colonies" for us (Sippar and Almaren, which culture flipped to Babylon).

I'd like to attack within 10 turns if we can. That means more knights from the governors.

 

[Bootstoots]

I think we should wait for maybe 20 turns or so, however long it takes to build up a large force of cavs, maybe 30-40 of them (many through upgrades) so that we are sure of quick, crushing victory, and then can quickly rebuild and attack Russia. I'd like to see both Russia and Babylon gone before the end of the term.

 

[Furiey]

If we can - it would be nice to be able to start this war by demanding they leave our territory - I'm pretty sure they'll declare if we do. We just need to keep an eye open for intruders - the route through Mure territory seems to be their route to Germany. We need to make sure that we're prepared enough, then take the opportunity as it arises.

 

[Furiey]

So options we have so far:

Option 1: When we have 20 knights on the Eastern Front, 10 on the Western Front - probably within 10 turns or so.

Option 2: when we have 30 to 40 Cavalry - probably in 10 to 20 turns or so.

Any others?

Any further clarification on these?

What about how we start this war?
Are we just going to declare it, or try to make them do so by demanding they leave our territory if they trespass. If we want to try to make them declare, how long will we wait if they don't give us the opportunity?

Do we want a ROP with Russia first?
They will pay us 7 gold and a World Map for one.

Do we want an Alliance with India?
They have War Elephants now and could keep Babylon occupied as well as preventing India forming an Alliance with Babylon.

It looks like from comments in the "Do we want to go to war" poll that I will have to poll this tomorrow to make it all official for the next turnchat - important if we want to go for Option 1, not so much for Option 2.

 

[Chieftess]

We can start upgrading knights in the process. I'm pretty sure we'll be meeting more pikes and muskets as we enter the Babylonian Homeland. I'm also aiming for a blitz-like attack due to their reknowned culture. I also agree with an alliance with India, but probably after we're about to take Babylon. That way, India concentrates on Babylon's colonies.

There's also muskets I want to bring into both sides. Not just for protection, but also to trigger our Golden Age. If we can do this just before we research cavs, we have a blitz-bomb on our hands! :soldier:

 

[Chieftess]

What about how we start this war?
Are we just going to declare it, or try to make them do so by demanding they leave our territory if they trespass. If we want to try to make them declare, how long will we wait if they don't give us the opportunity?

Once we have our troops in place, we could wait for a weak bab unit (like a longbow) to step into our territory. We should also have a musketeer (or two) standing right next to it. Demand that they leave (most likely declaring war). Once they declare war, attack with our musketeer, and trigger our Golden Age. (Hopefully this is done at the end of a turnchat.)

Do we want a ROP with Russia first?
They will pay us 7 gold and a World Map for one.

I'd like to use the Russian hill, although, the spot south of Bootsville will work fine. They just sent a spear in last turnchat, so I don't fully trust them just yet. (They left after we covered the iron.) But, if they declare war, we can make life hard for both Babylon and Russia.

Do we want an Alliance with India?
They have War Elephants now and could keep Babylon occupied as well as preventing India forming an Alliance with Babylon.

Sounds like a good idea. Like I said, make it after we have Babylon (the city) secure.

It looks like from comments in the "Do we want to go to war" poll that I will have to poll this tomorrow to make it all official for the next turnchat - important if we want to go for Option 1, not so much for Option 2.

Most likely, it's option 1. Less muskets to worry about. Babylon is in a republic, and inflicting war wariness on them makes them raise their lux rates (or use ents), thus decreasing their income. Less income = Less Muskets.

 

[Furiey]

Poll is up here

And if we do declare war:
Do we want a ROP with Russia?
Do we want an Alliance with India?

 

[Furiey]

gert-janl has made an additional suggesting in the Alliance with India poll - to form a ROP with India instead.

India will pay us 2 gpt + 4g for a ROP. it will stop them joining forces with Babylon, and as they will not be at war with Babylon, we will not have to worry about them taking any cities that we may want for ourselves. It does not however use India to keep Babylon occupied on the Southern Front and mop up their outlying cities, one of the main reasons for the Alliance.

It is a very valid option though and we could go for a ROP even if we also then formed an alliance, everyone please post your views on this.

 

[Rik Meleet]

It's a difficult choice. If we need the Indians to help us, we need them now. We can always decide to sign them in later if we need help, but that means we do all the hard work, while India gets the spoils.

Can the Military leader confirm we don't need help ? If so: just sign a RoP. If we need help: sign the Indians into a MA.

 

[Chieftess]

Plans have changed! The Babylonian War is off!