What can i do as Sparta?

[Fenris]

Sparta seem to be Super Underpowerd and i seem to have no chance at all, what can i do?

[Bozz 💀]

you can bend the knee

[ashbery76]

This is...

[markeason]

Originally posted by Fenris:

Sparta seem to be Super Underpowerd and i seem to have no chance at all, what can i do?

I have recently arrived at the same conclusion. Have paused this campaign while considering options

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2881464010

[jomigaru]

Well I remember Sparta as one of the most challenging playthrougs I endured. Sometimes I had to re start because things went too bad. Its hard to conquer Greece but its harder knowing that sometime in the future you will be atacked by Rome.
So, my advice is conquer Greece, Crete and everything you can, specially Epirus, before Rome. Integrate cultures to boost your levies. Then build fortresses wisely. They will stall Rome when the time comes. Pay attention to the war goal when Rome attacks and defend or reconquer that land when possible. Should things go well, in time you will be able to sign a white peace. DONT. Conquer a few territories then sign it including your fresh Roman conquered land. Build new fortresses. And prepare yourself for the next time.

Also, its very sweet to attack Rome while Rome is fighting a civil war. Thats your chance.

Needless to say, money to recruit some mercenaries will help you.

In time, you will conquer Rome.

[Fenris]

Ok thx, i guess i have to train a bit more, i Switched to Rome and i have a OK run right now

[markeason]

I have the feeling that my expansion has been too leisurely, that I should have grabbed more of Greece before Rome arrived next door.

But taking land from Macedon, Thrace and the residual Antigonids would have been a stretch.

[[__h.stickeye_]]

Rome should never have that much territory by 550. Something went wrong.

Sometimes the biggest deterrence is having multiple allies.

[rumborabbit]

watch realm builder guy on youtube he plays sparta good

[markeason]

It surprised me as well. One minute I was trying to eke out a little more Greek territory while offering token support to my Egyptian ally - they had requested an alliance quite early in the game, before I had finished conquering Crete and I wasn't going to look that gift horse in the mouth; the next, Carthage - gone, Epirus - gone, Thrace, Macedon and the Antigonid holdings west of Constantinople - all but gone.

It was insane. All the majors were still fighting amongst themselves and there appeared to be no concerted resistance.

As it happens Rome hasn't declared war on Sparta yet. But that is only a question of time and frankly, judging by the size of the doomstack I saw, it won't matter how many forts I improve or mercenaries I can recruit. They will not be stopped by me, not even with the support of Egypt.

[markeason]

Originally posted by rumborabbit:

watch realm builder guy on youtube he plays sparta good

I watched the first 4 episodes of this before starting the campaign, and a short Sparta stream by Lord Forwind, to see if my proposed Crete invasion opening made sense.
They both did the same so I figured I was on the right track.

I have just skimmed the final episode of RBG's campaign. The year is about 540, and he is pretty much in the same position as I am, except he is allied with both Egypt and Carthage whereas I am currently allied with just Egypt.

But the extent of Rome's expansion is comparable.

So I don't fell so bad seeing this.

[jomigaru]

Originally posted by markeason:

As it happens Rome hasn't declared war on Sparta yet. But that is only a question of time and frankly, judging by the size of the doomstack I saw, it won't matter how many forts I improve or mercenaries I can recruit. They will not be stopped by me, not even with the support of Egypt.

Rome has expanded too much. If Rome is tupid enough to declare war while fighting another war and her levies are spread maybe you can survive.
At some point, even if you try to avoid it, there will be a major battle. Thats when Rome will do the only thing the IA seems good at: sending levies to that battle to overwhelm you. Thats where a merc with real high martial skill and fortresses to prevent free movement of the stacks of doom will prove determinant.


Even doing everything well, there is a big chance to be stomped by Rome. Thats why Sparta is labelled as a very hard playthough.

[markeason]

Indeed.

Getting hold of enough of Greece depends on the outcome of the diadochi war as well.

I think I'll call it a day with this campaign. I know I missed a number of opportunities along the way to this point, and there are things I would look to do differently another time.

[[__h.stickeye_]]

Have you played as Epirus? I would consider this the first step to playing a very hard playthrough. You get some very cool buffs and opportunities but you learn so much about when to time your wars. You'll find also there is an element of luck involved. My best Epirus playthrough took me 10 goes, and it was in ironman.

[Fenris]

Originally posted by __h.stickeye_:

Have you played as Epirus? I would consider this the first step to playing a very hard playthrough. You get some very cool buffs and opportunities but you learn so much about when to time your wars. You'll find also there is an element of luck involved. My best Epirus playthrough took me 10 goes, and it was in ironman.

nope because i already dit not like them in Rome 2 Total war, i Love Rome and Sparta

[Bozz 💀]

one thing that works well against big countrie is to just let them do the dancing, retreat and let them invade, they tend to disperse their forces on multiple fronts so you can try and pick them one by one and win.

Epirus is epic yes, I had one great game as Epirus and it takes a lot of timing like [__h.stickeye_] says, sparta is a lot harder and takes a lot more timing or you need to find a very good ally that is reliable and won't let you down when Roman legions arrive...