Getting Enough Troops to Take a Castle

[iamdanthemanstan]

I've gotten up to about 70 troops under my command, but even with really high level troops that's not nearly enough to take a castle which always seem to have 300-400 troops in them. Without having a castle I'm not sure how to get more troops under my command, so I feel pretty stuck. Can anyone offer me some advice?

[The Wampire]

you realy dont need to take a castle with 300-400 troops just wait until one of the factions take a castle and it will have only about 100 troops

[Tantius]

I've gotten up to about 70 troops under my command, but even with really high level troops that's not nearly enough to take a castle which always seem to have 300-400 troops in them. Without having a castle I'm not sure how to get more troops under my command, so I feel pretty stuck. Can anyone offer me some advice?

Try taking castles that have just been taken, because they usually have a low number of troops. Also, improve your renown, leadership, etc, and get more troops.

[ms_ts_2007]

Furthermore, if possible, don't limit yourself to just one castle. Like a bliz, try to conquer two or three.

If you just take one castle, the AI will come in force to retake it, and you will not be able to keep it... Gain Zero.

If you take multliple castles, you just can play ping-pong with the AI. They will retake one of the castles, leave a small garnison there. You retake it, the come back to siege it. During all this time, the other castles remain in your possesion. Gain ... over 9000.

[TonyMontana]

I often times will send a freindly lord towards the castle whether or not he can take it doesent matter to me, it is supposed to wear down the enemies. All things considered if you are willing to sacrifice anothers lords men (Because M&B is all about being a cold hearted bastard for me) you will reduce the number of men in the garrison weakening it.

[krisslanza]

Also don't let numbers fool you. Just because a castle/town has a large garrison, doesn't mean you can't take it with a far smaller number. Generally speaking garrisons are only a bit of high-tier troops, a fair number of mid, and then low. If you use the right troops, you can probably take a 300-400 garrison with 100 troops or so.

But of course, it's much easier to take a fief that has just been taken by another faction.

[Interceptor_II]

The easiest way is still being appointed marshall.  You will have thousand of troops at your command which should suffice to take some castle or town. 

If you have only one fief then the majority of the lords would most likely want to give the conquered castle to you. "In this case the fief should go to the one who captured it".

[agatharchides]

Furthermore, if possible, don't limit yourself to just one castle. Like a bliz, try to conquer two or three.

If you just take one castle, the AI will come in force to retake it, and you will not be able to keep it... Gain Zero.

If you take multliple castles, you just can play ping-pong with the AI. They will retake one of the castles, leave a small garnison there. You retake it, the come back to siege it. During all this time, the other castles remain in your possesion. Gain ... over 9000.

While I can see the benefit to this, it does seem mutually exclusive with advice to retake something just taken unless you get insanely lucky

[CrymsonChaos]

Furthermore, if possible, don't limit yourself to just one castle. Like a bliz, try to conquer two or three.

If you just take one castle, the AI will come in force to retake it, and you will not be able to keep it... Gain Zero.

If you take multliple castles, you just can play ping-pong with the AI. They will retake one of the castles, leave a small garnison there. You retake it, the come back to siege it. During all this time, the other castles remain in your possesion. Gain ... over 9000.

While I can see the benefit to this, it does seem mutually exclusive with advice to retake something just taken unless you get insanely lucky

I've used that strategy in the past, it does pay to do it.  But, it also lowers the worth of the village(s), and that in turn lowers the rent from the castle/town.

But I've noticed that desperately trying to cling to your new castle also works.  With my army of roughly 100 that I use to grab my first castle (all top tier archers and Kierguard), I usually take somewhat heavy losses, depending on the enemy and their strength, but I also thoroughly weaken the enemy.  And if the castle was recently taken, the faction your foe is fighting will take advantage of their weakness, so YOU can build up your troops while your "allied" faction is brutally devastating their villages and capturing their lands.

[krisslanza]

I personally feel it's best to either take a recently recaptured castle, or one that's kind of off in a corner by itself. You don't want to try and grab Sarleon land, simply because a lot of their stuff is in the middle of everyone. It's a bit safer to pick something remote.

Also best to take it from a faction that is at war - the more the better. They're less likely to pull off the front then. Even better - wait for them to go on a campaign!

[Legojack261]

Also don't let numbers fool you. Just because a castle/town has a large garrison, doesn't mean you can't take it with a far smaller number. Generally speaking garrisons are only a bit of high-tier troops, a fair number of mid, and then low. If you use the right troops, you can probably take a 300-400 garrison with 100 troops or so.

But of course, it's much easier to take a fief that has just been taken by another faction.

Pretty much this. Especially when your trying to look for weak cities. If you're not prepared for a tough fight, avoid cities with knight orders in them.

[krisslanza]

Also don't let numbers fool you. Just because a castle/town has a large garrison, doesn't mean you can't take it with a far smaller number. Generally speaking garrisons are only a bit of high-tier troops, a fair number of mid, and then low. If you use the right troops, you can probably take a 300-400 garrison with 100 troops or so.

But of course, it's much easier to take a fief that has just been taken by another faction.

Pretty much this. Especially when your trying to look for weak cities. If you're not prepared for a tough fight, avoid cities with knight orders in them.

Depends on the knight order I feel. While some are certainly strong, without their horses and mobility they aren't quite as scary. Like I'd say Sarleon is easier to take then Laria - after all heavy cavalry aren't as scary on foot, but mounted archers? Those are scary even off their horses.

[conanthelibrarian]

Well, I tried to tkae falcon dark which had 400 troops with my 100, thinking I would shoot them and wear them down, but they sallied from the castle and cut me down with all thier high level kiersgard and wardens.

Hmmm... not sure how to overcome that.

[CrymsonChaos]

Well, I tried to tkae falcon dark which had 400 troops with my 100, thinking I would shoot them and wear them down, but they sallied from the castle and cut me down with all thier high level kiersgard and wardens.

Hmmm... not sure how to overcome that.

Falcondark is always a trader.  It constantly trades sides.  I'd wait 'til it gets attacked, then go for it.  150 will be easy for 100.

[Pandabomber]

Essentially what Crymson said. Wait for Fierdsvain or Sarleon to take it, then blammo. Ripe for the pickings. Border castles are usually the first to go in a war, unless your marshal has a fresh army large enough to go straight for a city, also known as what happens to Nal Tar within a month of in-game time.