Slitherine

Hi everyone,

I recently got into Field of Glory II and I am really enjoying it. There is one thing that I have encountered that is bugging me and I cannot find an answer to though. I just started my third battle of a custom campaign (Rome vs Samnites), and I suddenly have 3 new units present in the purchase/deployment phase, 1 Triarii, 1 Hastati/Principes, and 1 Light Javelinmen. Is there some hidden mechanic at work here?

For context, my first battle was an open battle, my second battle was a turn to face the enemy even (open battle), and this third battle is also an open battle. Each battle was won with few casualties (less than 15%).

The campaign settings were army size small to start and end on large.

And I guess a semi unrelated question: My understanding is that a rear echelon battle has no penalties or benefits to winning or losing, so in what situation would it be worthwhile to NOT take a rear echelon battle? Besides getting potentially gaining experience points for the main army units by turning around and facing the enemy.

Thanks in advance!

Sometimes the AI will add units as your battles get larger. If you don't like any of them, you can ditch them between battles through the garrison menu and gain more points to spend in the next fight.

Voluntarily ditching a few average troops common on your list is a good way to add more less common ones as the extra points will increase the number of troops you can buy.

I don't like using rear echelon forces as the overall troop quality is poorer and you don't get any choice in the composition of your force, so I almost never take that option.

Karvon

Gotcha!

I knew it had to be some mechanic at play, because it certainly did not feel like it could be a bug. That explains it for sure. Much appreciated!

Not sure of how the AI decides on additions; they are usually core required troops. It may review your current roster and add units it considers underrepresented if you've been adding a lot of optional troops and not added any core types.

Depending on the list, this can sometimes be annoying, but you can always ditch such unwelcome additions via the garrison option after the upcoming battle.

Karvon wrote: ↑Wed May 20, 2026 12:19 am Not sure of how the AI decides on additions; they are usually core required troops.

Yes, they are troops that have minima in the full army list. (i.e. are compulsory)

They will be added if your total reinforcement points is sufficient to trigger their minimum.

It may review your current roster and add units it considers underrepresented if you've been adding a lot of optional troops and not added any core types.

It does not do this. All it does is apply the normal proportional minima to your reinforcement points.

RealAuditHours wrote: ↑Tue May 19, 2026 10:54 pm And I guess a semi unrelated question: My understanding is that a rear echelon battle has no penalties or benefits to winning or losing, so in what situation would it be worthwhile to NOT take a rear echelon battle? Besides getting potentially gaining experience points for the main army units by turning around and facing the enemy.

Losing a rear echelon battle badly WILL affect your reinforcement points for the next battle.