Just started up an Alexander Campaign with DEI. Very challenging thus far (even on normal difficulty), but then again the real-life story of Macedonia taking on Persia was very much a David vs. Goliath scenario. I just launched my invasion of Anatolia (after securing Thrace) and have a few questions:
1) Are all build slots (6 for cities, 4 for minor settlements) supposed to be available? Because I only have access to 5/4 unless on the coast.
2) Are economic nerfs applied to the player while economic bonuses applied to the AI? I ask because Thrace (the entire province) is only cranking out about 2k (despite a heavy focus on slaves, industry and farms); meanwhile I see backwater cities/settlements in the North (Dacia) offering much more income.
3) What is the procedure for fighting with phalanx units? Do you single click to make them engage the enemy? Or double-click? I had heard that double-clicking can make a phalanx unit break the bracing formation.
4) Has anyone done a let's play or campaign guide for this Alexander campaign? I've found it extremely difficult. On my first play-through, I got rushed by 5-6 well-built stacks after invading the nearest Persian satrapy (Lydia); given that I was only able to afford 1.25 stacks, I didn't see any long-term success with that campaign. On my next play-through, I took time to sack Dacia to get some funds (and to prevent them from steam-rolling my neighbors). This time I was able to afford nearly 2 full stacks, which still wouldn't have been sufficient to invade Lydia as there were 5-6 stacks (in addition well-garrisoned settlements). I was only successful because Egypt decided to war with Persia and its satrapies, which resulted in most of Anatolia getting stripped of regional armies. I understand that the phalanxes weren't the death-churning machines that we see in Vanilla Rome 2, but I don't know how 2 Macedonian stacks are supposed to fight all of the armies that Persia (and satrapies) can bring to bear.
5) Do the Persian factions have access to spear units which can also shoot bows? I seem to be under constant fire when fighting certain Persian armies, and the projectiles tend to go further than the standard javelin.
All in all, an interesting campaign so far. My army comps have evolved over time; I've learned to dial back the phalanx to about 1/3 of the overall army comp, with a strong force of cavalry (my main killing units) and good supporting jav and sword/ax infantry. I can deal with single enemy armies without much problem. But I am fearing the moment when I'll have to deal with multiple enemy armies simultaneously. The AI units (even the low tier spear and melee) are grindy enough that the can withstand charges while I get flooded by arrows and javelins. Not sure how to proceed for the remainder of the campaign.