MEDIEVAL: TOTAL WAR-VIKING INVASION #/#/#/#/#/#/#/#/#/#/#/#/#/#/#/#/#/#/#/#/#/#/ Game:Medieval Total War-Viking Invasion Exp. For: PC/Windows Copyright:2006 Craig88 Begun:9th March 2006 Finished:10th March 2006 Author:Craig88 Email: craig_is_eya(at)hotmail.co.uk #/#/#/#/#/#/#/#/#/#/#/#/#/#/#/#/#/#/#/#/#/#/ 1.Author's Quick Word ===================== Hi and welcome to my FAQ/walkthrough of the factions on Medieval Total War (MTW) Viking Invasion. Please note that this is only for the factions of the Viking campaign,not the other factions eg.English,French etc... I've designed this so that people who are unsure as to what faction to begin with can get a good idea as to the different units of the different factions. Lets get going shall we! 2.The Factions ============== factions difficulty -------- ---------- The Irish Hard The Mercians Easy The Northumbrians Fairly Hard The Picts Moderate The Saxons Fairly Easy The Scots Fairly Hard The Vikings Fairly Easy The Welsh Hard 3.Faction Information/starting position ======================================= The Irish --------- The Irish begin of course in Ireland (duh!).To start they have 2 provincesboth already built with abbeys which will generate an income of 208 florins.To the west are two rebel provinces and to the north of Ireland are the Scots. Sooner or later the Irish will come into conflict with the Scots as they may find the Picts too hard to dislodge back in Scotland.The Irish also face the daunting prospect of the Vikings also,so beware that Viking longship along that coast. RECOMMENDATION:Dispose of the Scots in Ulster first as they have no means of recieving reinforcements from west Scotland for quite some time,Ireland is now yours to build up your armies and economy. The Mercians ------------ The Mercians actually have a fairly strong starting location even if it looks as though they may face attack from all sides. Their 6 provinces,2 with resource deposits,are fairly wealthy.The Northumbrians to the north are pretty weak as are the Welsh to begin.There are 4 rebel provinces to the east and the rebel armies are anything but strong.The only worry is the threat from Saxon expansion from the south which will eventually lead to the inevitable Saxon-Mercian war.The Mercians do have one of the better armies in the game however and should fair well. RECOMMENDATION:You would be better off to take the rebel provinces to your east.The Northumbrians are unlikely to attack as are the Welsh,the Saxons will attack eventually but until then take the rebel provinces as this means extra income,then build up your armies. The Northumbrians ----------------- Possibly the weakest faction in the game.Their lands are largely undeveloped and their army very weak.The Northumbrians are hemmed in with only north or south to go. The rebel province of Reget is an option but the area is hard to hold as the number of rebellions is high as will be the cost of sending armies there.The Vikings are more than likely to attack as will probably the Picts or Scots from Scotland.I highly recommend to be the Northumbrians if you are very good at this game and want a challenge. RECOMMENDATION:At first I would make alliances with mainly the factions around you,but the alliance you should really get is that of the Vikings.Allying with them and those around you should give you time to build up your defences. Defence is the key here. The Picts --------- One of the best factions of the game for units,2nd only to the Vikings in my view.The Picts start off with 7 provinces,most of which are very poor.The Scots are to the west and will attack eventually if their war in Ireland fails.The Northumbrians to the south are unlikely to attack but the Vikings do tend to invade along the eastern border of Scotland so beware. RECOMMENDATION:As your lands are poor it would be best to build up your economy first.If you feel vulnerable army wise then build 3-4 units of Celtic Warriors in each province.These warriors are cheap,very good and if you get attacked most of your provinces are fairly mountainuos and a couple hundred Celtic Warriors charging down a mountainside are very effective even against most Viking units.The Picts have a lot of potential. The Saxons ---------- Have some of the richest lands in England.The Sxaons only start with 4 provinces but they are wealthy.To begin they have the Welsh somewhat stranded in Cerniu(cornwall),have the Mercians to the north and rebel provinces to the east.The Vikings are not that problamatic towards the Saxons to begin so the Saxons do have quite some time to build. RECOMMENDATION:Take the rebel provinces.If you leave them for too long the Mercians will take them which means you will be completely hemmed in in the south and the only way to expand would have to be a direct war with the Mercians.If you take them it will mean you will have control of south and east England and it will be the Mercians who will be surrounded instead of the other way round.Do this and it is advantage Saxons. The Scots --------- Poor-financially and military.The Scots have a difficult starting position. Along the west coast of Scotland and Ulster in N.Ireland,the Scots have a huge disadvantage of all their provinces having a coast and therefor an easy target for the Vikings.The Scots land is poor,but the most important part is Ulster for 2 reasons.(1)Ulster is the wealthiest Scot province by far and (2)is the only outlet for a Scot expansion into Ireland.The Picts also are a problem as they are pretty hard to dislodge from Scotland. RECOMMENDATION:Hold tight and do not lose Ulster.Use alliances well and also marry your daughters into other factions as this strengthens alliances.The main faction you have to eliminate are the Picts.If given too much time they will build strong armies and crush you first. The Vikings ----------- Have the best attacking units in the game although not is all as easy as itmay seem.The 2 Viking provinces are poor to begin but they do have several deep- sea ships that can strike almost anywhere and the Vikings do not need ports to launch invasions either.Timing is the key as if too long is taken and not enough lands are under control,the Vikings will lose money.On the other hand the units at the Vikings disposal are excellent and far better than any of the other armies at the enemies disposal. RECOMMENDATION:You have to invade to be successful,the east coast of England is a good target because of the weak rebel factions there.If you can set up a forward line in England,this will give you time to then build your economy and then your armies.You could if you wanted to,wait,build up your economy and then launch an offensive but by then the other factions would of built up their armies too so it would just make life more difficult for you. The Welsh --------- Not the easiest faction to play but do have some potential.To start the Welsh have 4 provinces,3 of which go straight down the middle of Wales.The other province is rather isolated in Cerniu(cornwall) but are all wealthy lands as all have resource deposits.To the east of Wales are the Mercians and to the N.W and S.W of Wales are rebel provinces. RECOMMENDATION:The Welsh are not as hard as it may seem.The lands have wealthy potential and the Welsh have an ok army.You don't usually get a lot of attention aswell as the Mercians and Saxons usually tend to be more concerned with each other rather than the Welsh,this could work to your advantage.Take the rebel provinces in Wales as the Vikings may take a liking to them if left too long.When done build the usual(economy+armies) and keep an eye on the Mercians and Saxons and if one or the other is getting battered and if your strong enough,go attack the weaker one! 4.Army strength =============== Order of army strength 1 being excellent and 8 the weakest(duh!)I just want to tell you of the categories that I class the units.Defensive=units with good defense stats,archers=archers(duh!),attack=units with good attack stats and cavalry=good cavalry. rank faction defensive archers attack cavalry ---- ------- --------- ------- ------ ------- (1) Vikings good average excellent poor (2) Picts good poor v.good good (3) Mercians good average good good (4) Saxons good average good good (5) Welsh good good average average (6) Irish good poor average good (7) Scots good average average good (8) Northumbrians good average poor good note:all factions have good defensive stats as all have Armoured Spearmen which are the best defensive unit available. 5.Battle Tactics ================ I'd just like to tell you of a tactic that I usually deploy on the battlefield and is fairly effective.This is how it basically looks: -------------------------------------- : DEFENSIVE UNITS : -------------------------------------- ------------- ------------- : ATTACK : ------------------------------- : ATTACK : : UNITS : : ARCHERS : : UNITS : ------------- ------------------------------- ------------- ----------- ----------- : CAVALRY : : CAVALRY : ----------- ----------- Turn the archers command to hold ground as if not they will run in all directions if the enemy gets close and it is truly annoying.This formation is ideal for defences as the enemy will attack your defensive units while your archers pepper them with arrows safely behind your defence.The attack units can be used to attack the enemy flanks as can the cavalry if things aren't going well.When the enemy routs I would suggest sending your cavalry to cut them down as they run,as the enemy usually regroups to attack again. Don't get too over zealous as you don't want your cavalry to go too far and get ambushed. One thing I will say is that while defending be careful not to have too big a gap in-between your defensive units.The AI is quick to notice these things and enemy cavalry charging at these gaps can cause major problems. 6.Factions Units ================ note:I will categorise them in the usual attack,archers,cavalry etc. note:most factions have Dismounted Nobles and Royal Bodyguards(both foot- units).I am not including them in this unit walkthrough as although they have good attack and defense stats,they are very few in number(40 and 20 respectively) and quite expensive for their small size.I don't recommend these 2 units at all. note:COST-low(below 200)average(between 200-350)high(350-450)expensive(450+) DEFENSE ------- Spearmen:COST-low QUANTITY-100 men STATS-best in deep formation,weak attack NOTE-ok but have no chance against upgraded units AVAILABILITY-all factions. RATING- 1.5/5 --------------------------------------------------------------- Viking :COST-low Thralls QUANTITY-100 men STATS-weak defence,very weak attack,poor morale NOTE-useless AVAILABILITY-Vikings only RATING- 0/5 --------------------------------------------------------------- Fyrdmen :COST-low QUANTITY-100 men STATS-defend well vs cavalry,best in deep formation NOTE-slightly better than Spearmen but still just as poor against advanced units AVAILABILITY-Saxons,Northumbrians,Mercians RATING- 1.5/5 --------------------------------------------------------------- Militia :COST-low Sergeants QUANTITY-60 men STATS-good defence,bonus vs armoured troops,poor morale NOTE-quite good,better than spearmen and fyrdmen but not as good as armoured spearmen AVAILABILITY-Mercians only RATING- 2.5/5 --------------------------------------------------------------- Armoured: COST-average Spearmen QUANTITY-100 men STATS-good defence,defend well vs cavalry,poor morale NOTE-the best defensive unit in the game,that said they are known to rout,but the best you got AVAILABILITY-all factions RATING- 3.5/5 --------------------------------------------------------------- DEFENSE NOTE:The best available are the armoured spearmen,they should play some part in your army though hopefully you shouldn't have to call on them much if you're doing the attacking. ARCHERS ------- Archers:COST-average QUANTITY-60 men STATS-weak defence,poor morale,shoot poorly in bad weather NOTE-In my view the 2nd best archers available,behind Welsh Bandits, who of course are only available to the Welsh AVAILABILITY-all except Picts and Irish RATING- 3.5/5 --------------------------------------------------------------- Pictish :COST-average Crossbowmen QUANTITY-60 men STATS-slow rate of fire,missiles good vs armour NOTE-I'm not one for crossbowmen,I think they are slow and not nearly as effective as normal archers AVAILABILITY-Picts only RATING- 2/5 -------------------------------------------------------------- Welsh :COST-expensive Bandits QUANTITY-60 men STATS-long range,fast,can hide in open,excellent morale NOTE-excellent archers,the longer the range the better,very expensive however AVAILABILITY-Welsh only RATING- 5/5 -------------------------------------------------------------- Bonnachts:COST-average QUANTITY-100 men STATS-excellent attack,short range,armed with spears NOTE-as the Irish have no archers this is probably the best type they will get in this category,can be quite effective AVAILABILITY-Irish only RATING- 3/5 -------------------------------------------------------------- Irish :COST-low Dartmen QUANTITY-60 men STATS-fast,armed with darts,poor morale,weak attack NOTE-average/poor AVAILABILITY-Irish only RATING- 1.5/5 -------------------------------------------------------------- Kerns:COST-low QUANTITY-60 men STATS-fast,short range,good vs armour,armed with javelins NOTE-average/poor AVAILABILITY-Irish only RATING- 1.5/5 -------------------------------------------------------------- ARCHERS NOTE:The best are of course the Welsh Bandits but these are of course Welsh only and very expensive.It would be best to make do with normal archers which I feel are under-rated but are very effective. ATTACK ------ Beserkers:COST-high QUANTITY-12 men STATS-excellent attack,fast,irresistable charge,excellent morale NOTE-brilliant,can wipe out hundreds of men at a time and break any formation,their numbers (only 12) counts against them however AVAILABILITY-Vikings and Picts RATING- 4.5/5 -------------------------------------------------------------- Celtic :COST-low Warriors QUANTITY-100 men STATS-excellent attack,strong charge,poor morale,very weak defence NOTE-very good attacking unit although as time passes not as effective against upgraded troops,still good though AVAILABILITY-Picts and Welsh RATING- 3.5/5 -------------------------------------------------------------- Gallowglasses:COST-average QUANTITY-60 men STATS-excellent attack,irresistable charge,poor morale NOTE-probably the best Irish unit available and controlled well can cause considerable damage AVAILABILITY-Irish only RATING-3.5/5 -------------------------------------------------------------- Highland:COST-low Clansmen QUANTITY-60 men STATS-excellent attack,v.strong charge,fast,poor morale NOTE-the Scots' equivilent to the Picts' Celtic Warriors,not as good though but the best the Scots have got.Very cheap units. AVAILABILITY-Scots only RATING- 3/5 -------------------------------------------------------------- Joms :COST-expensive Vikings QUANTITY-60 men STATS-excellent attack,v.good defence,v.good charge,excellent morale NOTE-the best attacking (and defensive!)unit in the game.Nuff sed! AVAILABILITY-Vikings only RATING- 5/5 -------------------------------------------------------------- Saxon :COST-expensive Huscarles QUANTITY- 60 men STATS-v.good attack,strong charge,excellent morale,good vs armour NOTE- the best unit the English factions have at their disposal AVAILABILITY-Saxons,Mercians,Northumbrians RATING- 4/5 -------------------------------------------------------------- Viking:COST-low Carls QUANTITY-60 men STATS-good attack,armoured NOTE-very cheap Viking unit,effective against most unit types AVAILABILITY-Vikings only RATING- 3/5 -------------------------------------------------------------- Viking :COST-expensive Huscarles QUANTITY-60 men STATS-v.good attack,strong charge,excellent morale,good vs armour NOTE-exactly the same as Saxon Huscarles AVAILABILITY-Vikings only RATING- 4/5 -------------------------------------------------------------- Viking :COST-average Landsmenn QUANTITY-60 men STATS-good attack,good morale,good vs armoured troops NOTE-the upgraded equivilent to the Viking Carls basically RATING- 3.5/5 -------------------------------------------------------------- Urban :COST-low Militia QUANTITY-60 men STATS-strong charge,poor morale,bonus vs armoured troops NOTE-effective against peasents and Viking Thralls,thats about all they're good for AVAILABILITY-Mercians only RATING- 1/5 -------------------------------------------------------------- Woodsmen:COST-low QUANTITY-60 men STATS-irresistable charge,bonus vs armour,weak defence,poor morale NOTE-on the same par as Urban Militia AVAILABILITY-Northumbrians only RATING- 1/5 -------------------------------------------------------------- CAVALRY ------- Horsemen:COST-low QUANTITY-40 men STATS-v.strong charge,good attack,good morale,undisciplined NOTE-very useful unit as they are cheap and effective at attacking from rear/flanks,wouldn't recommend using head on against upgraded units(eg.Huscarles) AVAILABILITY-all except Picts and Vikings RATING- 3/5 -------------------------------------------------------------- Mounted:COST-high Nobles QUANTITY-40 men STATS-v.strong charge,v.good attack,undisciplined NOTE-the best cavalry available AVAILABILITY-all except Vikings and Welsh RATING- 4/5 -------------------------------------------------------------- Mounted :COST-low Sergeants QUANTITY-40 men STATS-irresistable charge NOTE-quite average,best at hitting troops from rear and attacking routing units AVAILABILITY-Mercians only RATING- 2/5 -------------------------------------------------------------- Pictish:COST-low Cavalry QUANTITY-40 men STATS-strong charge,fast,weak defence NOTE-similar to Mounted Sergeants,but faster AVAILABILITY:Picts only RATING- 2/5 -------------------------------------------------------------- Pictish :COST-average Mounted QUANTITY-40 men Crossbowmen STATS-fast,slow rate of fire,weak attack,shoot poorly-bad weather NOTE-the only horse archer unit available,don't think yourself privaledged AVAILABILITY-Picts only RATING- 2/5 -------------------------------------------------------------- Royal :COST-average Bodyguards QUANTITY-20 men STATS-v.strong charge,v.good attack,excellent morale,undisciplined NOTE-good and you should usually get these for free as Kings and Princes have their own unit,their small size is one downside however AVAILABILITY-all except the Vikings RATING- 3.5/5 -------------------------------------------------------------- Viking :COST-low Raider QUANTITY-40 men Cavalry STATS-strong charge,v.weak attack,poor morale NOTE-the weakest cavalry in the game,best at cutting down routing units and attacking from rear,but even thats a bit risky with this cavalry AVAILABILITY-Vikings only RATING- 1/5 -------------------------------------------------------------- CAVALRY NOTE:I prefer using cavalry high in number,either Mounted Nobles or Horsemen,I'd suggest the same to you too. 7.Finished ========== Hopefully this FAQ/walkthrough is helpful to you in deciding which faction is best suited to you.I wish you all the luck in playing this awesome game and if you have any queries or recommendations don't hesitate to contact me,also if you liked it it'd be nice if you rated it.Thanks. 8.Copyright =========== This may be not be reproduced under any circumstances except for personal, private use. It may not be placed on any web site or otherwise distributed publicly without advance written permission. Use of this guide on any other web site or as a part of any public display is strictly prohibited, and a violation of copyright. ############################################################################## ###################################end######################################## ##############################################################################