Russia: Gameplay Information

The Russians have a history of absorbing foreign invaders within the vastness of their country. It was no different in medieval times when Christian Crusades and Mongol invasions had to be dealt with. The Russians have huge distances between the cities to cope with but this can be as much of a blessing as a curse as their enemies also have to deal with these distances. While Russia is not well endowed with quality infantry units (especially in the early stages), the Russian cavalry is of excellent quality, perhaps even the best cavalry roster available in the game. Being a Christian faction will not protect you from the whims of the papacy as orthodox Christians are seen in the same light as pagans, muslims & other heretics. Defending Russia from multiple crusades is a very real possibility.


Table of Contents


Campaign Overview

Religion
  • Orthodox
Long Campaign Win Conditions
  • Take 45 Regions
  • Take Constantinople
  • Take Jerusalem
Short Campaign Win Conditions
  • Take 15 Regions
  • Outlive Poland
  • Outlive Hungary
Finances
  • Initial Money: 11000 Florins

King’s Purse: 2500 Florins

Initial Settlement
  • Novogrod (Minor City, Capital) – Town Guard, Grain Exchange, Small Church, Dirt Roads
Initial Generals
  • Grand Duke Ysevolod (50, Faction Leader) – 6 Command, 2 Dread, 2 Authority, 3 Piety
  • Prince Vladimir (28, Faction Heir) – 4 Command, 0 Chivalry, 5 Loyalty, 3 Piety
  • Mikhail (25, Family Member) – 2 Command, 0 Chivalry, 5 Loyalty, 3 Piety
  • Miroslav (4, Junior Family Member)
  • Ivan (3, Junior Family Member)
Initial Admirals
  • None
Initial Agents
  • Chernek Grechinov (20, Spy) – 1 Skill
  • Radoslav (29, Bishop) – 4 Piety
  • Antonina (20, Princess) – 3 Charm
Initial Troops
  • General’s Bodyguard – 3
  • Archer Militia – 6
  • Spear Militia – 5
  • Kazaks – 2
  • Woodsmen – 2

The Russians start with a single minor city and with no immediate threats so quick expansion is possible and indeed necessary because Poland & Hungary lie to the south-west and will conquer whatever provinces you fail to absorb into the Russian empire. Expanding through the “safe” route in Scandinavia will bring you into conflict with Denmark. To the far south lie the Turks but before they can be encountered, you will likely have to face the Mongol Invasion if they invade in the northern part of the campaign map. It is very likely you will have to fight many battles on two totally separate fronts with huge distances to cross if reinforcements are required. A cool head and a certain amount of planning will be required to hold back the Mongols while simultaneously dealing with threats from Central & Western European factions.


Recruitable Units

The following table contains all of the units that Russia can recruit in Multiplayer and Custom Battles. For the Grand Campaign, use the “All” period with the following corrections:

  • Units in (Brackets) are mercenaries and therefore cannot be trained in campaign, although any general can recruit them in the field if he has space in his army and there are some available.
  • Units in [Square Brackets] cannot be recruited in campaign, they are for Multiplayer and Custom Battles only.
  • Units in Italics can only be recruited in certain regions (eg. The New World) or after a certain event (eg. The discovery of gunpowder).
PeriodMilitia UnitsInfantryMissile InfantryCavalryMissile CavalryArtillery
Early
  • Militia Cavalry
  • Peasants
  • Woodsmen
  • Spearmen
  • Dismounted Druzhina
  • Dismounted Boyar Sons
  • Peasant Archers
  • Druzhina
  • General’s Bodyguard
  • Kazaks
  • Boyar Sons
  • Ballista
  • Catapult
High
  • Militia Cavalry
  • Crossbow Militia
  • Peasants
  • Woodsmen
  • Spearmen
  • Berdiche Axemen
  • Dismounted Druzhina
  • Dismounted Boyar Sons
  • Peasant Archers
  • Dismounted Dvor
  • Druzhina
  • General’s Bodyguard
  • Kazaks
  • Boyar Sons
  • Dvor Cavalry
  • Ballista
  • Catapult
  • Trebuchet
  • Bombard
  • Grand Bombard
Late 
  • Peasants
  • Woodsmen
  • Spearmen
  • Berdiche Axemen
  • Dismounted Boyar Sons
  • Peasant Archers
  • Dismounted Dvor
  • Arquebuisers
  • Cossack Musketeers
  • Tsars Guard
  • General’s Bodyguard
  • Boyar Sons
  • Cossack Cavalry
  • Dvor Cavalry
  • Cannon

 

All
  • Militia Cavalry
  • Crossbow Militia
  • Spear Militia
  • Archer Militia
  • Peasants
  • Woodsmen
  • Spearmen
  • Berdiche Axemen
  • Dismounted Druzhina
  • Dismounted Boyar Sons
  • Peasant Archers
  • Dismounted Dvor
  • Arquebuisers
  • Cossack Musketeers
  • Druzhina
  • Tsars Guard
  • General’s Bodyguard
  • Kazaks
  • Boyar Sons
  • Cossack Cavalry
  • Dvor Cavalry
  • Ballista
  • Catapult
  • Trebuchet
  • Bombard
  • Grand Bombard
  • Cannon

 


Constructable Buildings


Cities

Building TypeVillageTownLarge TownMinor CityLarge CityHuge City
WallsWooden Palisade (Upgrade)Wooden Wall (Upgrade)Stone Wall (Upgrade)Large Stone Wall (Upgrade)Huge Stone Wall (Upgrade) 
Improved Towers Ballista Towers 
Barracks Town WatchTown GuardCity WatchMilitia Drill SquareMilitia BarracksArmy Barracks
Siege Ballista MakerCatapult MakerSiege Works 
Smiths Leather TannerBlacksmithArmourerHeavy ArmourerMaster ArmourerArmour Factory
Ports PortShipwright 
Sea Trade Merchants’ WharfWarehouseDocklands
Trade Grain ExchangeMarketFairgroundGreat MarketMerchants’ Quarter
Roads Dirt Roads Paved Roads 
FarmsLand ClearanceCommunal FarmingCrop RotationIrrigation 
Academia University
Churches Small Orthodox ChurchOrthodox ChurchOrthodox AbbeyOrthodox CathedralHuge Orthodox Cathedral
Inns BrothelInnTavernCoaching HousePleasure Palace
Town Hall Town HallCouncil ChambersCity HallMayor’s Palace
Ikonic Art Ikoner’s StudioMaster Ikoner’s Studio
Assassins’ Guild Assassins’ GuildMaster Assassins’ GuildAssassins’ Guild Headquarters
Masons’ Guild Masons’ GuildMaster Masons’ GuildMasons’ Guild Headquarters
Theologians’ Guild Theologians’ GuildMaster Theologians’ GuildTheologians’ Guild Headquarters
Merchants’ Guild Merchants’ GuildMaster Merchants’ GuildMerchants’ Guild Headquarters
Alchemists’ Guild Alchemists’ GuildMaster Alchemists’ GuildAlchemists’ Guild Headquarters
Thieves’ Guild Thieves’ GuildMaster Thieves’ GuildThieves’ Guild Headquarters
Explorers’ Guild Explorers’ GuildMaster Explorers’ GuildExplorers’ Guild Headquarters
Swordsmiths’ Guild Swordsmiths’ GuildMaster Swordsmiths’ GuildSwordsmiths’ Guild Headquarters
Horse Breeders’ Guild Horse Breeders’ GuildMaster Horse Breeders’ GuildHorse Breeders’ Guild Headquarters

Castles

Building TypeVillageMotte and BaileyWooden CastleCastleFortressCitadel
CastleMotte and Bailey (Upgrade)Wooden Castle (Upgrade)Castle (Upgrade)Fortress (Upgrade)Citadel (Upgrade) 
Improved Towers Ballista TowersCannon Towers
Stables StablesKnight’s StablesBaron’s StablesEarl’s StablesKing’s Stables
Barracks Mustering HallGarrisson QuartersDrill SquareBarracks
Ranges BowyerPractice RangeArchery Range 
Siege Ballista MakerCatapult MakerSiege Works
Cannons GunsmithCannon MakerCannon FoundryRoyal Arsenal
Smiths Leather TannerBlacksmithArmourerHeavy ArmourerMaster ArmourerArmour Factory
Ports PortShipwrightDockyardNaval Drydock
Roads Dirt Roads Paved Roads 
Farms Land ClearanceCommunal FarmingCrop RotationIrrigation 
Mines MinesMining Network 
Churches Small Orthodox ChapelOrthodox Chapel 
Swordsmiths’ Guild Swordsmiths’ GuildMaster Swordsmiths’ GuildSwordsmiths’ Guild Headquarters