Playing as Syracuse is impossible

[Wade]

I've lost 12 hours trying to play this faction. It's just not possible. If you declare war on Rome it is suicide. If you declare war on Carthage every time you move their armies and fleets hop in on your 2 towns and they have massive land armies and fleets togehter with their client states. Syracuse is the hardest faction I have every played.

[IGX]

Wait for Carthage to get surrounded by enemies and then pick off their clients.

[Canadian Ninja]

Hang out in your one city for a while. Let Rome focus north and let Carthage get buried (not too buried though, you want their territory after all).

You have pikemen as well, abuse forts + pikes and use city walls to your advantage if needed. Wear them down slowly.

[swibtn]

Like the previous two posters said ; Turtle for awhile. ( Which is boring , I know. )

LONG TERM Syracuse has a trump card , an advantage of advantages ;

In my opinion at least , a Greek - culture full stack , of four 150 range slingers , three cavalry of any type , and the rest Hoplites and / or Pikemen , is the best general - purpose army in the world.

The Getae or Odryssians with their masses of expert javelins , or an all - cavalry archer army , might give you fits.

But the Syracusans won't border either of those two cultures for a long time.

Otherwise , like I said , a Greek - culture army is the best general - purpose army in the world.

The day Syracuse acquires one full stack , and a second half - stack , winning the game is only a matter of time.

[Icecream1973]

No, it is not.

I just finished a Syracuse campaign on very hard difficulty with Radious overhaul mod + AI boost mods: AI cheat 2.0 + Aggressive AI.

Just just need to learn how to build up your empire SLOWLY (as mentioned previously) Initially focus on defence of Sicily (you got pike units for god sake!) & gradually conquer mainland italy. Get early trade deals with other like minded Greek factions & thats it.

Only cross over to africa when you have enough armies for defence of mainland italy.

If this dont help, start over on easy difficulty level & try again.

[Aslan Ponto]

Originally posted by Icecream1973:

No, it is not.

I just finished a Syracuse campaign on very hard difficulty with Radious overhaul mod + AI boost mods: AI cheat 2.0 + Aggressive AI.

Just just need to learn how to build up your empire SLOWLY (as mentioned previously) Initially focus on defence of Sicily (you got pike units for god sake!) & gradually conquer mainland italy. Get early trade deals with other like minded Greek factions & thats it.

Only cross over to africa when you have enough armies for defence of mainland italy.

If this dont help, start over on easy difficulty level & try again.

Isn't troublesome if you wait for a long time to advance? Magna Graecia culture would be too Latin.

[Icecream1973]

Originally posted by Aslan Ponto:

Originally posted by Icecream1973:

No, it is not.

I just finished a Syracuse campaign on very hard difficulty with Radious overhaul mod + AI boost mods: AI cheat 2.0 + Aggressive AI.

Just just need to learn how to build up your empire SLOWLY (as mentioned previously) Initially focus on defence of Sicily (you got pike units for god sake!) & gradually conquer mainland italy. Get early trade deals with other like minded Greek factions & thats it.

Only cross over to africa when you have enough armies for defence of mainland italy.

If this dont help, start over on easy difficulty level & try again.

Isn't troublesome if you wait for a long time to advance? Magna Graecia culture would be too Latin.

Yeah and so? Easy to fix eventually, build temples, use dignitaries & use admirals/general with culture traits to boost greek culture. When you already focus on defence of mainland italy: a revolt is most welcome (also your units get some much needed experience!)

[Aslan Ponto]

Originally posted by Icecream1973:

Originally posted by Aslan Ponto:

Isn't troublesome if you wait for a long time to advance? Magna Graecia culture would be too Latin.

Yeah and so? Easy to fix eventually, build temples, use dignitaries & use admirals/general with culture traits to boost greek culture. When you already focus on defence of mainland italy: a revolt is most welcome (also your units get some much needed experience!)

What about sending diplomats to Carthage in order to improve relationships (and avoid getting backstabbed) and attacking Rome as soon as you have decent barracks?

[Icecream1973]

Originally posted by Aslan Ponto:

Originally posted by Icecream1973:

Yeah and so? Easy to fix eventually, build temples, use dignitaries & use admirals/general with culture traits to boost greek culture. When you already focus on defence of mainland italy: a revolt is most welcome (also your units get some much needed experience!)

What about sending diplomats to Carthage in order to improve relationships (and avoid getting backstabbed) and attacking Rome as soon as you have decent barracks?

In this game there is always a chance of getting back stabbed, even by long term millitary allies.

I do not start relations waste time or waste money with the faction or lands I will conquer in the near future - as for Syracuse Carthage lands are logical for future expansion. Also this could impact my existing diplomatic relations with the factions I DO want to be nice too. Some factions absolutely hate Carthage, so ANY agreement will impact other relations in the long run.

[MANWHATADONGA]

Originally posted by Icecream1973:

Originally posted by Aslan Ponto:

What about sending diplomats to Carthage in order to improve relationships (and avoid getting backstabbed) and attacking Rome as soon as you have decent barracks?

In this game there is always a chance of getting back stabbed, even by long term millitary allies.

I do not start relations waste time or waste money with the faction or lands I will conquer in the near future - as for Syracuse Carthage lands are logical for future expansion. Also this could impact my existing diplomatic relations with the factions I DO want to be nice too. Some factions absolutely hate Carthage, so ANY agreement will impact other relations in the long run.

100% right there,short time gain+ long time pain.Once again great info Icecream.

[swibtn]

Originally posted by Icecream1973:

Yeah and so? Easy to fix eventually, build temples, use dignitaries & use admirals/general with culture traits to boost greek culture.

Province management is one of the reasons I love playing Greek factions.

With Greek factions I can role play , with some sincerity , the idea that I'm doing these folks a FAVOR by conquering them.

I conquer a province that is poor , everyone is miserable , with chronic slave revolts and other civil unrest.

I upgrade a farm , build a temple , build an aqueduct , build a theatre , send in a dignitary.

And for the next three hundred years that province sees decent wealth , nobody goes hungry , there is ZERO civil unrest.

Greek rule is a wonderful thing .

[XTAKK]

The AI seems quite successful every time I play idk

[Icecream1973]

Originally posted by MANWHATADONGA:

Originally posted by Icecream1973:

In this game there is always a chance of getting back stabbed, even by long term millitary allies.

I do not start relations waste time or waste money with the faction or lands I will conquer in the near future - as for Syracuse Carthage lands are logical for future expansion. Also this could impact my existing diplomatic relations with the factions I DO want to be nice too. Some factions absolutely hate Carthage, so ANY agreement will impact other relations in the long run.

100% right there,short time gain+ long time pain.Once again great info Icecream.

Cheers mate!

[Wade]

I've waited some time and managed to capture Carthage and Africa province. Carthage is so nice to capture, it's a very rich city. Lots of gold and food for my savage armies. Now I'm going to capture Mauretania, Phazania, Libia and then I'm coming for a fokin Rome!