The Sultana - Stronghold Crusader 2 AI Lords

The Sultana is a skirmish opponent in Stronghold Crusader 2.

Overview

The Sultana is one the most cunning opponents and she particularly likes to use assassins to relentlessly attack her opponents. She is a good all rounder who likes the element of surprise so keep your eyes peeled.

Castles & Defenses

The Sultana builds a very formidable castle. The general shape is similar to the one used by the Shah, but with much better defences in place. The perimeter of her walls hosts several hoardings, watch towers, mangonels and haybale launchers, while a stump tower is located farther in the castle's back. Her towers and walls are manned by Arabian archers, supported by the occasional healer. Her personal bodyguard atop the keep is made up of more Arabian archers, along with swordsmen and assassins.

The Sultana is a dangerous opponent, and as such her castle should be besieged with great care. Using massed catapults isn't advisable against the Sultana, as her archers and mangonels will be able to engage them from great distance. Trebuchets are a good way to deal with her defences and can also be used to destroy her economy located inside the castle. Horse archers can also prove useful against her defenders, as their high speed can help them avoid mangonel shots. After taking out the defenders on her walls one should storm the castle with powerful units like macemen, swordsmen or Arabian swordsmen since the inside and keep are likely to host a significant number of assassins and Arabian swordsmen.

Economy

The Sultana hosts are an overall solid economy. Two food types are provided by dairy farms and apple orchards. Six wood camps and two quarries provide her with all the resources she needs. At least five chandlers produce candles for the Sultana's mosque. The chandlers, mosque and stockpile are located inside the walls, meaning that even during a siege the Sultana will be able to get religion happiness bonuses. She doesn't gather iron or produce any weapons.

Raids & Sieges

The Sultana's armies consist of Assassins, Arabian swordsmen and Arabian archers supported by mantlets, catapults and war wagons. 

The Sultana's both a decent harasser and besieger. Even early on, she will send large groups of assassins to destroy economic buildings. It's recommended to place some units around your buildings, so assassins can be spotted early enough, as ranged units on towers will only be able to spot them once the assassins leave stealth. Her siege armies consist out of assassins and Arabian swordsmen backed up by a large force of Arabian archers in war waggons supported mantlets and catapults. 

Fending off the Sultana's siege armies isn't difficult, but they can still cause significant damage. While archers in sufficient numbers can certainly throw back her armies, it doesn't hurt to have some crossbowmen, mangonels and ballista of your own. Some melee units for sallying outside are also a good choice. These can detect and occupy her assassins for the ranged defenders to take them out, once the assassins are gone the focus should be on her war wagons and catapults. Without support from her siege equipment, the remaining Arabian swordsmen shouldn't be much of an issue.