Saladin - Stronghold Crusader 2 AI Lords

Saladin is a skirmish opponent in Stronghold Crusader 2.

Overview

"Perhaps the wisest and most strategic adversary you will face in the desert, Saladin prefers to take his time while planning his next military offensive. He knows the value of defence as well as attack, making him one of the toughest opponents to break down."

– the Saladin's in-game description

Castles & Defenses

Saladin constructs a very strong and well-designed castle. His castles are usually square shaped, feature multiple gatehouses, man traps, watch towers and grand towers along with up to four tower ballistae. Unlike some other lords, Saladin doesn't neglect properly manning his defences and all his towers host numerous Arabian archers, oil pot throwers and healers. His personal bodyguard atop the keep is made up of Arabian archers, oil pot throwers, healers, whirling dervishes and Arabian swordsmen. Sassanid knights and Arabian archers act as a quick response force against enemy harassers. Saladin makes sure his economy is well protected as the granary, stockpile, windmills and a large amount of bakeries are all within his castle walls.

Assaulting Saladin's castle is no easy task and requires patience, preparation and most of all money. A headlong assault against Saladin is usually a bad idea and while possible will be very costly. The better approach of dealing with Saladin is a prolonged siege. In this regard, multiple trebuchets or war wolves are the best choice. The destruction of Saladin's tower ballistae should have priority, as they can easily destroy most siege engines. Once the ballistae are gone, his towers should go down next. In the meantime, it is recommended to destroy as many of his outlying economic buildings as possible. Finally, once his towers have fallen and the wall is breached, one should assault his keep. Swordsmen, Arabian swordsmen or templar knights are a good choice for this task. It could also prove useful to weaken his bodyguards with your own ranged units. Also one should remain mindful of the man traps placed inside the castle.

Economy

Saladin runs a very extensive and productive economy. His food production consists of four apple and six wheat farms, four windmills and a total of twelve bakeries. The high wood cost of this operation is covered by seven wood camps, while four quarries provide him with the stone needed for his extensive castle.

Raids & Sieges

Saladin's armies are quite formidable and consist of Arabian archers, Arabian swordsmen, whirling dervishes, horse archers and Sassanid knights supported by catapults, mantlets, war wagons and trebuchets.

Saladin's raids are for the most part a smaller version of his siege armies, consisting of Arabian archers, Arabian swordsmen and horse archers. He's not much of a raider though and usually prefers to spend his money assembling a proper siege army. These armies consist out Arabian archers, Arabian swordsmen and whirling dervishes. Numerous catapults, manlets and war wagons provide support for his armies. Eventually he will also construct a single trebuchet to bombard enemy fortifications from a distance.

Defending against Saladin requires effort. Medium or grand towers manned by archers or crossbowmen are a good way to deter his forces. Tower ballistae or mangonels are also a good idea, as they will be useful in destroying his siege weapons or simply hurling stones into his massed troops. Some melee units for sallying out such as men at arms or macemen ca be helpful in either destroying his war waggons or tying up his advancing Arabian swordsmen. Since Saladin's economy is quite powerful, he is usually able to recover from a failed assault rather fast and begin assembling a new army.