Khergits Sieging Vaegir Castles

[satori]

I need some advice.

I'm playing a Khergit lord, using all Khergit troops, and specializing in Riding, Horse Archery, Archery, and Polearms (think Lancer).  The only mercenaries I use are Repeating Crossbowmen and Rocketeers (in keeping with the flavor).  I do not use cannons or firearms on this lord, since it doesn't fit the theme.

My faction is at war with the Vaegir, and open battles are difficult...but winnable.  I create an archer wall, a spear wall, and lead my contingent of horse archers into flanking position to catch everyone in a cross-fire.  If I mess up, the uber-armored Spartans eat me for breakfast...but if I play it just right, I can win.

HOWEVER...sieges are a completely different matter.  I've tried holding position until my archers can create some space...but my heaviest, most elite ground troops cannot break through Vaegir recruits.  They are simply too armored, and all of them carry amazing melee weapons. 

Any advice?

I COULD bite the bullet and hire/level some cannoners, buy a Nest of Bees (in one siege I'll level the skill to 200, I'm sure), and hire some Rhulg Destroyers...but that feels like giving in.  My lord is a Khergit, and I'd rather not resort to using overpowered items and/or mercenaries to siege a castle.

 

[Splintert]

you sound like you are trying to make the game ahrder. keep killing them off in the field. mercenaries are mercs and do not need to be themed towards whatever you are theming yourself as, so hire whatever mercs you feel like.

 

[Steffenximus]

Mercenaries have been used for almost 5000 years. Almost any army had some mercenaries in composition.

However if you really want to avoid using them, hire all companions, develop them, dress them in heavy armor with piercing weaps, and use them to make a quick breach at the ladder end in sieges. I can make a breach alone, but at high risk, together with my 12 companions it's very easy. Once you do that, your troops will have good odds vs defenders.

 

[satori]

Thanks folks.  That was good advice.

I started over with the new version, and tried a Nord Barbarian vs the Vaegir.  Even armed with a Rhulg Helm/Steel Plate/Steel Shield/Rhulg Axe, I STILL struggled against the Vaegir and lost hundreds of poor Nords to them.

Then, I followed your advice.  I picked up a mortar, a Maul, some Felhammir mercs, and some Arquebussers (sp?)...

...and the Vaegir fell before my mercenary might! 

Piercing SERIOUSLY bypasses armor, and I was clearing out waves of Vaegir with each maul swipe.  The Felhammir mercs are armed with gun axes and mauls, so they also swarmed and easily brutalized the Vaegir.  For added punch, I outfitted Rolf and Klethi in Steel Plate, Mortars, and Giant Hammers.

Thanks for the tips!

 

[Steffenximus]

That is what happens when you play effectively, the battlefield is yours. Now that you know your enemy, and most importantly how to defeat him, you will enjoy every battle It's amazing how many of Sun Tzu's teachings apply to this game.

Keep in mind that arquebusiers and felhammir mercs aren't enough to have an invulnerable army. You also need some Huscarl cavalry and some Beserkir, keeping in tone with your play style. These two units will help you defeat other factions easier.