ok...same Q but which countris are good for 2 player MP

[Jon Shafer]

The best way to win as France is to mass the northern and southern armies in central France in one of your vassals, then wait for either A) the English armies to unite and die of attrition, and/or B) Hit them when they split up with your combined army. If you're lucky, you should win a battle or two this way, and follow up by pursuing the English army. You might be able to cut the English in half this way, which makes things much easier.

 

[Jon Shafer]

Originally posted by boehm
although I think its impossible for France to fight England in the beginning of the gc...here is one small hint!

get millitary access with any nabours u have which England arent at war with or have MA with....and/or use your vassals for this if they make separete peace with england....then "hide" your main cav force inside this neutral country...and conduct guerilla warfare against the brits...never fight his main force...only strike at his siege armies...this can buy u some time ...a couple of years perhaps but it pretty much means that england can only besiege 2-3 provinces at a time.....since all siege armies pretty much need to be strong enough to defeat the french forces on its own....which isnt too difficult for britain with their vastly superior morale and leaders...up til 1425 (or is it 24 that France gets its first leader?)

That's the main strategy that allows France to ever win (against a good opponent). You need to keep your army alive, and mass it against smaller English armies whenever possible. The only way they'll be able to consistantly beat you, is if they mass all their troops on one of your provinces. However, this will take high tolls on their army due to attrition, as well as give you time to gain strength, and knock off Brittany/Burgundy, as well as allowing time to get your leader(s). You get what, 3 leaders early on? Use them, and the English will fall.

 

[Jon Shafer]

Originally posted by Prince Eugene
Keep in mind that the English provinces in France have very little manpower unlike the French ones. This means that once you have beat their original army that it is all over for them.

Exactly. Once you manage to combine your northern and southern armies, then decisively defeat the English army(ies), and you're home free. Once I managed to beat off the English alliance with only the northern army.. it was the first time I had played as France and I never noticed the southern army. ^_^

 

[Jon Shafer]

Originally posted by boehm
...once again there is a HUGE difference between playing against the AI and a competent human....the major difference being that the ai doesnt know to create a real killer army and hunt down the inferior french forces....AND the ai doesnt retreat....

against the ai it really is a cake walk "winning" the 100year-war as the french by 1423-24 - taking apart Burgundy, Britanny and 4-5 english provinces....Who needs Jean d´arc anyway

I know that. You don't even need a strategy when playing an AI England. If you combine your armies right away, then you have a chance to win a few battles, and maybe even crush an English army every now and then. Them retreating could be a problem, but eventually you'll get them in a major battle that you can win. Just don't try to take any of their provinces yet!