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The desert is no place for you. Go home, my friend. Go home.
— Saladin, deflecting the player's attack
Saladin-0

Saladin is one of the AI opponents that appears in Stronghold Crusader and Stronghold Crusader 2.

Overview[]

Saladin is a talented and kind-hearted diplomat, who knows how to bring prosperity in the wartorn medieval times of the Arabian desert. Perhaps most famous for his rivalry with Richard I, Saladin shows prowess both in leadership and governance. With the full-scale support of his followers, he unites and leads the people of Arabia on victorious skirmishes.

Information[]

Saladin was the Sultan of Egypt & Syria who led the Muslim army against the Crusaders. He eventually recaptured Palestine from the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem after his victory in the Battle of Hattin. In the third crusade, he fought against the forces of Christian opposition lead by Richard The Lionheart. The battle ended with a treaty that allowed for entrance of Christianity into Jerusalem, and called for a three year truce.[1]

As an Arabian lord, he wears a white turban with a golden crescent symbol at the front. His calm face is adorned by a thick facial hair around his mouth, and surrounded by red scarf with yellow color on the edge that is connected  at the front of his chest by a sunflower-like emblem. His posture is very good, similar to that of the Lionheart and the Snake. Like most other lords, he wears a metal chain armor. He wields a sword.

He is a calm, kind-hearted person who always cares for his people. He tends to refer the player as "my friend", indicating that he is an easy-going person. Despite this, he has a very serious tone of voice unlike the similarly easy-going Emir. In battle, he never underestimates his enemies, nor does he overestimate them. He likes to show off his might with confidence, troops and mild taunts.

Defense[]

Saladin constructs very defensible castles with a densely filled interior. He outfits his walls with crenellations and round towers, atop which he mounts ballistae and mangonels. Occasionally, narrow moats will be around certain parts of the wall. Arabian bowmen swarm the walls and towers, with fire throwers guarding crucial places and the keep hosting entire armies. Saladin makes use of no traps, but of firepower however to repel any attack attempts.

Economy[]

Saladin's economy is one of the best (if not the most efficient) in the game. He gathers all raw materials with many quarries and mines, builds a lot of wheat farms to harvest wheat, a few apple farms to provide food variety and several hop farms for ale. His economy is based on heavy bread production, fueling many bakeries and mills. Unusual for an Arabian lord, Saladin also manufactures swords and metal armour from iron for additional profit. In order to boost taxing further, he applies positive Fear Factor at the cost of efficiency.

Offense[]

When attacking, Saladin uses a mixture of most Arabian units. Some fire ballistae are also used to thin out enemy ranks, with support from catapults behind these, out of the range of enemy tower and wall missile units. Arabian swordsmen will be busy destroying the walls, but assassins will also head for gatehouses and vulnerable wall sections. Slaves are brought if the enemy has a moat, and, while other troops are distracting enemy missile units, will advance quickly to fill it in. Horse archers are also sent and these can be hard to kill as Saladin usually likes to keep them moving in front of the enemies' walls unlike the other Arabian lords.

Saladin likes to harass from the very beginning with horse archers. They can be very annoying if not prepared adequately. Later in the game, or if Saladin has lots of gold, expect to see catapults and fire ballistae slowly rolling forward.

Saladin has an all-round army composition that needs sturdy troops to handle. He likes to amp up the pressure with horse archers right from the outset, while he also attacks relatively frequently with Arabian swordsmen and assassins to divert your forces.

Crossbowmen are vital at providing fire support, remaining pretty much uncontested on top of walls and towers, nonetheless they may need support from other missile units in order to finish off and weaken enemy bowmen. Mangonels are also useful against dense groups due to their inaccuracy, slowly whittling them down. Saladin's assassins are generally attracted to gatehouses, so keep a few units there as well. Add some ballistae against any deployed fire ballista.

Saladin's castles are generally much better protected than those of most other AI lords. In fact, his troops get almost always a +25% morale boost, compounded by his mangonels and ballistae. His castles are generally fully packed with buildings, which makes him very vulnerable to fire.

In order to approach Saladin's keep, it is either recommended to use lots of horse archers (about 150 should do) to encircle the exterior, picking off the fragile Arabian bowmen and stationary defensive engines. Closing the gatehouse in a timely manner can also cut off Saladin from his economy and reinforcements. Optionally get a few fire throwers in position and have them lob Greek fire over the walls in order to clear the keep from the numerous Arab swordsmen, who tend to leave their positions, making the Lord even more exposed for the kill.

If you favour a more methodical approach, you can use catapults and slowly work your way towards the castle, crippling towers and leveling buildings in range. This will provoke numerous counterattacks from Saladin however in the form of Arabian bowmen and horse archers, who will wear down your siege engines over time, so make sure to protect them!

Action Quote Sound
Added to roster Welcome.
Removed from roster Farewell.
Prepares for siege My forces are ready. Our enemy's walls will fall to dust.
Taunt 1 The sands of time are running out for you, my friend.
Taunt 2 As the hawk would hunt the rabbit, so I shall hunt you!
Taunt 3 Your barbaric ways, your cruel plans... You are too transparent, my friend!
Taunt 4 I am not a vindictive man. Once you are my prisoner, you shall live. Maybe, you will tend my camels...
Deflects player's attack The desert is no place for you. Go home, my friend. Go home.
Player's buildings are destroyed My forces have struck another blow against you! This is but the beginning of the end for you, my friend.
Close to victory You are clearly no match for my forces! Give in now, my friend!
Defeats player As it must be, another has fallen before me.
Player deflects attack By all that's holy, you fight well! Too well, I fear.
Player destroys buildings Aarghh...! You are indeed a thorn in my side!
Player closes with an army As I look about, I take little comfort. I must not fail my people.
Panicking Hmm, the situation looks grave indeed. Maybe a change of plan is needed.
Defeated You are mighty in battle. But are you just as well? I put myself at your mercy.
Requires goods I have need of supplies. Is it possible for you to send the following goods to me?
Sends goods The goods will be sent, my friend.
Receives goods I have received your goods. Many thanks, my friend.
Refuses to supply Unfortunately, I have need of such goods myself.
Agrees to attack This is wise!
Refuses to attack (casual) The time to strike is not yet upon us, my young friend.
Refuses to attack (besieged) That would be most unwise.
Requires help I am in grave danger, my friend! I have great need of your help!
Sends help The men you need will be sent.
Refuses to help (casual) I dearly wish I could help. But, alas, I am unable.
Refuses to help (besieged) It would be a futile act. I am sorry, I cannot help.
Predicts victory as ally Our star is in the ascendant, my friend!
Predicts defeat as ally The skies darken over both our castles. We must take great care.
Kills common enemy I have dispatched another of our enemies, my friend. The struggle continues!
Player kills common enemy You fight well, my friend. You have struck a mighty blow for our cause.
Falls as ally I am lost, my friend. You must continue the struggle... without me.

Defense[]

Saladin retains his original building style, featuring a square-shaped foundation. While he can build no moat, he usually builds two layers of continuous walls that feature numerous gatehouses with Arabic lookout and round towers, forming a large courtyard, where buildings are sparsely placed. He relies on a combination of ranged units on top of towers and artillery platforms to repel enemy assaults, as well as strategically placed healers to add a little bit more longevity to his defenders.

Economy[]

Saladin's economy is toned down a lot is geared heavily towards raw material and bread production. He gathers taxes only from his heavy food industry, which he does not complement with breweries or mosques at all. He also builds lots of stone quarries in order to build his castle quickly and further support the treasury.

Offense[]

On the battlefield, Saladin likes to field large, more organized groups. He conventionally uses Arabian bowmen in the droves, with Arabian swordsmen and whirling dervishes providing the backbone of his formations. Occasionally he tosses in groups of horse archers to harass soldiers and he also hires a few Sassanid knights to patrol his buildings.

When attempting a siege camp attack, Saladin constructs a variety of siege engines. Mantlets and catapults are constructed in large numbers, with the occasional trebuchet and a war wagon filled with Arab bowmen.

Saladin in Stronghold Crusader 2 tends to be more of a defensive character, who spends most of his time strengthening his castle and sending weak attacks until much later. His combination of Arabian swordsmen and Arabian bowmen can prove troublesome to bring down on the open field, however they are ineffective in sieges. Use a number of ranged troops (crossbowmen are recommended) in elevated positions, while keeping Arab swordsmen at bay with your own metal armor, or a constant flood of fodder units that slow down their advance. Whirling dervishes are a particularly great asset with their whirlwind frenzy.

Saladin's castle tend to be rather large, resulting in abandoned towers and his defenses stretched thin. While he has lots of Arabian bowmen, he cannot stand up against siege engines or crossbowmen, unless he has managed to get up some ballistae. Clear the ranged defenders from towers of your choosing, then rush in with melee troops and work your way in the courtyard. Saladin's castle tends to swarm with Arabian bowmen, so make sure you bring sufficient firepower in order to keep them away. Demolishing the mercenary post should be a priority, finally clear the inner ring to make a clear way for the kill.

Action Quote Sound
Added to roster A wise move.
Removed from roster How disappointing.
Prepares for siege My army will soon lay siege to our enemy's castle.
Taunt 1 The army will advance.
Taunt 2 Our cause is just, we will triumph.
Taunt 3 The shadow of the eagle is about to pass over your castle!
Taunt 4 You will learn to fear us, as the sheep fears the lion.
Taunt 5 Surrender now. I will be generous.
Taunt 6 These are not your lands, begone from this castle!
Taunt 7 Sound the war horns, let battle commence.
Taunt 8 I urge you to surrender!
Finishes castle War saddens me, but these lands must be defended.
Deflects player's attack Victory. My glorious warriors, you will feast well this day!
Player's buildings are destroyed Excellent, target more of their buildings.
Close to victory This is not your war, I think.
Defeats player One less mercenary to trouble our lands.
Attack deflected 1 We are defeated here, but we will return stronger than ever.
Attack deflected 2 You try to anger me. You will fail in that, as you will fail in this war!
Attack deflected 3 It is lucky for you that I am a patient man.
Player destroys buildings In this life, castles are like possessions: merely temporary!
Player closes with an army The forces before my castle are mighty indeed!
Panicking I am failing my people, this must not be!
Defeated 1 You are a mighty general, I salute you.
Defeated 2 Farewell general, may we meet again.
Requires goods Can you send me these goods?
Sends goods You shall have your goods.
Receives goods You are generous, I thank you.
Refuses to supply I do not have enough goods to send you, my noble ally.
Agrees to attack A wise plan, I will attack shortly.
Refuses to attack (casual) That would not be wise, my friend.
Refuses to attack (besieged) I'm sorry, I cannot possibly attack.
Requests help I need help, my friend.
Sends help I will send the troops you need.
Refuses to help (casual) My troops are stretched too thinly, my friend.
Refuses to help (besieged) I wish I could send more troops, my friend, but I cannot.
Predicts victory as ally We prosper at our enemies' expense, I feel. This war goes well.
Predicts defeat as ally The signs are not good for us my friend. Unless we act soon, this war is lost.
Kills common enemy I have killed one of our enemies.
Player kills common enemy A fine strategy, my friend. One less to worry about.
Falls as ally I have fallen, but you must fight on, my friend.

Trivia[]

  • He is the only historical personality in the game, whose nicknames are not simply numbers, rather actual titles. 
  • The Arabian lord unit in the game is modeled on Saladin.

External Links[]

Stronghold Crusader / Stronghold Crusader Extreme Characters
Stronghold Crusader The RatThe SnakeThe PigThe WolfThe SultanThe CaliphSaladinRichard The Lionheart
Stronghold Crusader Extreme Emperor FrederickKing PhillipThe SheriffThe AbbotThe MarshalThe WazirThe EmirThe Nizar
Stronghold Crusader 2 Characters
Stronghold Crusader 2 The RatThe WolfSaladinThe CaliphRichard The LionheartThe ShahThe Slave KingThe Sultana
DLC The PrincessThe PigThe TemplarThe DukeThe EmperorThe HermitThe JackalThe Khan
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