Spartan Army Build Bug

[Morbio]

Clearly this game hates me. I seem to be suffering from poor multiplayer experience (modders generating script issues), bad design (double attacks per turn), a persecuting AI (obliteration in 5 turns) and now build bugs for Sparta.

All was fine until a few turns ago when I conquered Aetolia, which was the capital of the Aetolians. The following turn I noticed that my unit builds appeared in Aetolia rather than Laconia. Luckily nothing attacked and destroyed my solitary, but very expensive, unit. Further unit builds did the same, so I made sure I positioned my army in Aetolia so they were not vulnerable.

I've just conquered my arch-rivals, Athens, so now Greece is mostly mine and now I have a tough decision: Attack Rome or Macedonia! Figuring it's tough either way I decide to build a bigger army before making the decision and declaring war, the only problem is that I can no longer build the Phalanx, which is the only useful unit I can build!

The problem seems to be that last turn the Aetolians decided to tear down the old palace for stones and now I seemingly don't have a building to enable Phalanx production despite Laconia having both Barracks and a Palace. (see images for details)

Any suggestions or is this yet another game I have to abandon?

To be honest I think this game has the potential to be one of the best strategy games I've ever seen, I love the graphics, the battle mechanics are good (would be better if cavalry had a role to plat), and the MP opportunities are really exciting (if the modders could be excluded), but I'm getting fed up of bugs ruining the game. I invest a significant time in each game only to be frustrated. I do hope some patches will be released soon or I'll be giving this up as a bad job.

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[Morbio]

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[Morbio]

OK, some better news...

I decided to play one more turn to see what happens and I can now build Phalanx again, but it is still appearing in Aetolia. I suspect this is because Aeotlia has a training ground and this is taking precedence over the barracks for the build location.

The following turn I can no longer build again, I now think the error is the message, I think I can't build because I don't have the 485 gold for the unit, but the message states I don't have the buildings (I have all of them).

I can understand why Spartan Phalanx are expensive, these are very elite units and to have them a provincial unit that increases with cost is a good way of limiting the rate of deployment, otherwise it will be very easy for Sparta to steamroll everything from the start. Now the challenge is to survive to build the gold producing buildings to enable an army to be built to advance. However with the Phalanx the only unit that Sparta can build (apart from the Helot skirmishers, which are next to useless) and the cavalry (also next to useless) then it is really tough for Sparta to fight in the open as it gets flanked all the time! I acquired the Mercenary building in one of my early conquests and this doesn't allow any mercenary builds (although provincial skirmishers appeared about this time... maybe that was the benefit?), is this by design that Sparta wouldn't use mercenaries, or is this a bug? I really think Sparta needs to be able to field some other type of non-light unit. IIRC in history the Helots used to fight as phalanx along side the Spartans, surely this would be better to be a weaker version of spear infantry rather than as skirmishers?

So, back to the mercenaries... should I tear down all the 3 Mercenary Recruitment Centres I've acquired, as they seem to slot hogging useless structures?

[sval062]

...
So, back to the mercenaries... should I tear down all the 3 Mercenary Recruitment Centres I've acquired, as they seem to slot hogging useless structures?

Yes, you should disband your mercenaries centers since Sparte is not able to purchase mercenaries.
Please take a look at the gameplay notes: "It will be difficult to have a large military, as you can't recruit mercenaries..."

It is made on purpose (and quite historical I think). If you want to steamroll, you should take Antigone or Macédoine

[SpeedyCM]

I suspect you have formed the province of Graecia and your governors palace is in Aetolia - so all builds will start there.

[Morbio]

My thanks to both for the helpful comments.

[Blathergut]

My game as Sparta was probably the most enjoyable one so far. It was slow going at start, mostly just building and surviving. I worked at forming the initial province (I forget the name, but had to gain the adjacent regions.) My first real goal was Crete (2 island regions + 1 set of islands north of it) for the archers. Once I had them to back up the Spartans, it was much easier going.

[Blastaz]

Yes you are building there because as the highest culture producing province in Greece it becomes the capital.

It's not historical for Sparta to start forming an Empire. If they did, it's entirely believable that they might have changed their recruitment policies to adapt...

[Morbio]

Well, I am loving playing this country, I am also following similar tactics as Blathergut. I have recently taken Crete, but alas not archers yet. This meant I had to declare war on Rome, so it's a fun challenge taking on a mighty empire with just 2 elite armies!

Great fun!

[georgioz]

Sparta is one of the most powerful one region states. Some advice:

- Expand into Crete and Ionia ASAP to form province. These regions are neutral regions on islands and provide nice commerce income. Most importantly when under province they provide Cretan Archers - the best archers in the game. With Spartan Phalanx on front and Cretan Archers as support you will obliterate everything on attack - even assault.

- Grab the neutral island that is part of Epirus and then build army to mayby go to war against Epirus before Rome or Macedonia takes it. A small fleet will do wonders here. Epirus has ivory producing building necessary for Temple of Zeus. Make sure not to take Temple of Zeus before you have access to ivory as -24 income can be huge detriment towards early economy.

- Next I like to build navy and take Rhodes. By that time Macedonia is hopefully entangled in war with Antigonids. Having strong navy that prevents Macedonians to redeploy from Asia Minor to Europe is crucial.

- Consolidate army and attack Macedonia. Use your navy to patrol and sink enemy ships. If you are lucky you may catch Macedonian army off guard on sea. Enjoy the influx of objective progress tokens.

Some other considerations:

- Greece is a very powerful province with many developed regions. You will be able to build Tier 3 structures in a few turns later on which is very useful as Sparta will get a lot of slaves in your conquests. Since you will conquest hellenic nations and hellenic slaves produce only 3 unrest you can have a truly epic spartan city of 30+ slots with tier 3 buildings in multiple categories.

- Focus on income and culture in your large cities. Income is important in order to afford elite spartan army as early as possible. The problem is not maintenance but the upfront cost of combination of Cretan Archers and Spartan Phalanx.

- Once you get into empire tier you will be able to hire mercenaries. So you may leave mercenary building in some regions as you see fit.

- If you want to have OP army look to take Galatia province in Asia Minor. You will get access to galatian infantry - a heavy infantry that does not suffer on assaults. An army stack of 8 Spartan Phalanx, 4 galatian infantry and 12 Cretan archers led by at least competent general will obliterate everything in its path without any losses. This is the invasion army for Egypt or Rome.

- The last remark us that having Field of Glory II is very beneficial for Spartans. You have small number of elite units with high combat power. Until you are able to fill the frontage with heavy infantry doing tactical battles in FoG II is superior to default battle resolution. Just make sure to invest in helot skirmishers early to support you.

[Pocus]

The improper message that led you to think you could not build phalanx should be fixed in next patch.
As others said, merc center can be of use once you reach empire
when you form a province, Laconia might not be the provincial capital. If you want that, you can tweak culture to move the capital back to Laconia.
Helots have no upkeep in manpower...