Re: HYBORIAN: Kusan

From: mgauthie@access.awinc.com (Marc L. Gauthier)

Date: Tue, 08 Aug 1995 00:00:00 +0000

baidins@stimpy.eecis.udel.edu (Juris Baidins) wrote:

>Got my setup and it seems surprisingly fast.  However it is a
>2 to 6 week wait for the first turn to be processed.

>Got my second choice: Kusan.  I am writing my impressions and
>questions and would like answers to the questions and to see if
>my impressions are correct.

>Initial goals seem simple: grab the three provinces required for
>achieving imperial goals.  Two do not seem to be a problem, but
>the Kusan Steppes are right next to Khitai.  So is it better to
>grab for it immediately to forestall Khitai or to wait until I
>have contact with Khitai (obviously depends on who plays Khitai,
>but what are other peoples experiences).

Grab for it immediately, Either way you will have to deal with Khitia.
You will never stand up to Khitia alone and it would be nice to keep
him an ally as long as possible.  The problem is that your imperial
Goals and Victory conditions are easy to get (should obtain by turn 8
at the latest).  But, If you are ranked number one and Khitia is
ranked number 2 do you thing he will stay your ally.  Kusan's problem
is not getting is goals, but keeping them.  Kusan is a highly
diplomatic kingdom (player diplomacy).  Even so, it is better to have
your goal instead of trying to take it away or negotiate it for it
from a nation ten times your size.

>Obviously if Khitai does not cede the Kusan Steppes, Kambulja
>will have an ally (not militarily obviously, but the characters
>look as if they could damage Khitai extremely).

Granted you could kill a few characters, but do character take
provinces. NO!  Killing a character will only tip the balance alittle
towards the other side.  But, Kusan is ten pounds and Khitia is 1000
pounds.

>If Hyrkania moves east and south, they could reach the other areas
>so it might be better to occupy the Swampy Jungles and Kusan Desert
>first ?
Why worry about Hyrkania, He is more likely Worried about Khitia,
particularly if Kambulja is struggling in the south.  If Hyrkania is
smart he will be interested in obtaining Kusan as a useful ally.

>Finally, it looks like it would be worthwhile to occupy the Jaga
>Tribes as the setup mentions a trade route going through it.

Yup, but first you need ensure your nations survival along side Khitia
and Hrykania. Not to mention Vendhya and Turan.  Kusan is very easy
target for all large nations.  In one of my games in the last 5 turns
I crushed Kusan with Nemedian armies.  I'am sure that Kusan thought I
was to far to effect him, but he was wrong.

>Also, I am initially at peace with Khitai and they with me, but
>the first turn is peace years.  Does this mean the peace expires
>next turn ?

No, You need to restablish peace treaties in the peace years.  You
best options is the get an alliance with Khitia.

>Specifically with which country (countries) does Meru have a treaty ?

Non-player kingdoms are a red herring, worry about players first.
Peace Treaty them until your ready to invade them.

>The military looks light, missile heavy without any heavy shock power
>(no elephants, heavy cavalry, etc.).  Is an open field battle
>preferable to set piece ?  The one tough hand to hand unit
>might be better off staying in Kusan as garrison.

Why have your best troop sitting on their ass.  Getting them to your
battles, Knights didn't sit in the castle and let the peasants go to
war so why should you.  The type of Battle preferred depends on the
the troops you face and the odds.

>How do the percentages work ?  If a unit maximum is listed as 1%
>of my total force and I have 30 troops does that mean I can have
>one or does it mean I cannot have any.  The Hyrkanian mercenaries
>seem like a useful addition so that some cavalry exists that can
>fight.

you will get at least one.  Max all mercencaries and get them into
your battles.  Let them die instead of your national troops.  Saving
your national troops will allow you to hire more mercenaries and in
the end have more troops.

>First turn actions (peace turn):

>- Court spy self (unless someone has the Kusan chancellor and adjutant
>  stats).

k'ang chintao Kusa-Adj   Yu Min Shu Kusa-Cha
Personal Combat       adequate                  None
Diplomacy              none                     Good
Rulership              None                     Good
Military Command       Good                     None
Heroism               Superior                  None
Intrigue               None                     Poor
Magic                  none                     none

>- Court spy Khitai

Why risk pissing Khitai off at the start.  Maybe he can be a friend in
the short term at least.

>- Spy on one province and prepare to invade.  Meanwhile place
>  other imperial army on active footing.

Leave One army defensive until you have enough troops to invade with
it.

>- Long life the middle age wizard.

yup

>- Peace off anyone ?

The Azwe and avoid influence of the EDES.

One thing that I did with my character is alot of World spying.  Get a
much Info on what is happening as much as possible.  Use this info to
help other nations that would find the info valuable.  In return get
their help against enemies of Kusan.

Kusan was the last kingdom that I played.  By turn 6 I was an empire
and held 105,293,288,287,284.  On turn 13 I had quit the game because
of RSI screw ups.  by Turn 13 I own the above and 285,283,197,213,295.
I quit because the game became extremely boring. I was the only player
east of the Villayet ranked number 2 right behind my friend and ally
in Turan.  Kusan is easy to gain provinces but to keep them is hard.
In my Game, all the other players dropped at took the fun out of
playing Kusan.  I stress that it is easy to gain your goals, but only
player diplomacy will let you keep them.  You must put all your energy
into that direction.

Marc L. Gauthier
mgauthie@access.awinc.com
Edmonton, AB Canada

References

HYBORIAN: Kusan
baidins@stimpy.eecis.udel.edu (Juris Baidins)
Mon, 07 Aug 1995 00:00:00 +0000