Rebuilding the Zaporozhian Sich | Cossacks Gain Fame Campaign Cossacks 3 Guide
Last update: 17 October 2016
Leading the Ukraine in this campaign is challenging because this nation has only one infantry unit - shooters with long range and attack (they cannot fight at close range) whose training is long. However, the infantry doesn't require having an officer and a drummer to create formation (as it is in the case of the cavalry). Additionally, Ukrainian peasants can fight from close range, but they cannot be captured. They have access to fast Cossacks and to very resistant and dangerous Hetmans. This country cannot advance to 17th century, but their buildings are cheap. Very frequently you can construct even 4 barracks at the beginning of the mission for a small price!
The only campaign mission in which you will strongly depend on a well developed base and quick army training. In addition to that, you won't be able to train peasants. Your objective: do not let the settlement on the island (1) be destroyed. You will race against time - after some time a land attack from two sides and a fleet assault will start. On the north there is a Polish city (2). There you can use the marketplace if you lack resources. That city is a target of regular Tatars raids. Despite the fact that is has some defenses, it won't survive an assault of the horde. If you want to increase your work force, swim with the transport ship (with at least one unit) to the port on the south (3). There you can buy some peasants for gold. Sometimes the peasants will swim to you and will ask to join you (4). Once a few groups arrive in your village, their pursuers will start coming. Every time you will have to decide whether you want the peasants to join you (in that case you will have to defeat the squad) or not (the peasants will be captured and they will be removed from the map). This system will work during the whole mission. However, if you keep taking the peasants, at some points a small army of the blue player will arrive (the "Masters"). There are two strongholds (5) on the south. Also from the south the groups of Tatars that will harass the Polish people (6) will come. This entrance, river and the road from the slave trader are the exit paths for the Tatar hordes during the final attack (6 and 7). In addition to the land forces, they will also send ships that can easily decimate your village. Because of that, it is important that you quickly build your own fleet.
Once you train 100-200 shooters, you can move towards one of the southern forts. It is best to select the right one because enemy raids won't get in your way. A dialogue window will appear - one of the Cossacks will want to attack the Turks. Wait for his cavalry reinforcements that will also provide you with artillery. Let the group take position before the fort and start bombarding the wall/gate. Once it falls, the defenders will attack you. Your shooters should stop them - if not, use the cavalry. Once you take care of them, take a few men inside and reclaim control over the imprisoned peasants. From the short dialogue you will learn that you have less and less time. Now you can build a cannon foundry. Build at least one and start producing ships. You can also set a few cannons on your island. Create large infantry forces - it would be perfect if you have 200 shooters on the left and 400 shooters on the right coast. A squad of Cossacks and Hetmans on the right side would be very useful as well. Construct at least 10-20 small ships or a combination of them and galleys.
Once you receive information about the incoming horde, position most of your forces south from the city and east from your island. You will receive another Cossacks reinforcements and a backup from the Polish people. The squad of the pikemen will be the most important part of it. First you will be attacked by a squad of heavy cavalry. Then the rest of the army will come. Same will happen on the left coast, but there the enemy forces will be two times smaller. Soon the ships will arrive and start attacking your buildings. If you don't have a large fleet, all your efforts might prove to be futile. Order your peasants to repair every building, and if possible build new ones in the same place to gain some more time.