The Shah - Stronghold Crusader 2 AI Lords

The Shah is a skirmish opponent in Stronghold Crusader 2.

Overview

The Shah is a very nice chap who spends more time planning what his castle will look than than planning how to defend it. Although the Shah is a reluctant warrior he will send out troops to harass his opponents whenever he sees fit.

Castles & Defenses

The Shah builds very basic circular or octagonal castles with a very thick wall along with a watch and grand tower. Arabian archers are placed atop the walls and towers protected by hoardings while barricades are placed in front of the gate house. The Shah also keeps a number of Arabian swordsmen and archers stationed atop the keep to act as his personal bodyguards.

The Shah isn't among the strongest opponents in the game, and as such his castle can be taken rather easily. His walls and towers can be easily demolished by siege weapons, while archers, horse archers or crossbowmen can clear his ranged defenders. While his archers may prove to be deadly against lightly armoured units, they will struggle against units such as swordsmen or Arabic swordsmen. The biggest hurdle in overcoming the Shah is his bodyguard of Arabian swordsmen stationed next to the lord himself atop the keep. One should bring enough units that can go toe to toe with Arabian swordsmen before storming the Shah's keep.

Economy

The Shah's economy is rather simple. Food is provided by a number of sheep and dairy farms, while at least five wood camps provide wood as two quarries provide the stone for the castle. The Shah doesn't possess any industry, as he relies entirely on mercenaries.

Raids & Sieges

The Shah's armies consist of Arabian swordsmen and archers supported by catapults. 

He's not a powerful attacker but a consistent one. The Shah will send groups of Arabian archers to harass his opponents and raid economic buildings. When besieging his enemies, he will construct a siege camp and recruit some catapults while his archers attempt to clear ranged defenders from the wall. Arabian swordsmen are then sent to assault the enemy castle. The Shah uses relatively good units during his siege attempts, but is held back by the rather small size of his attacking armies.

Defending against the Shah is rather easy, as both his raids and sieges lack teeth. His small raids with Arabian archers can be a nuisance, but they lack the means to destroy outlying buildings. Some ranged units of your own or any faster melee unit like macemen can easily deter the Shah's raiders. His sieges can be repelled similarly easily. Archers atop walls or towers can counter all of his siege units, as even Arabian swordsmen lack sufficient armour to withstand prolonged archer fire. Some crossbowmen can be added into the mix to dispatch of the swordsmen even more quickly.