What to recruit first?

[spedius01]

So far I've chosen scouts, when I can afford them, at the end of scenario #03. They're fast and punchy and possibly will survive right to the end of the Roman campaign. Whereas some of the other units may well be disbanded in favour of something better. I would be very interested to learn of your opinions on the best composition of a 20 squad army?
What sequence, in your view, is the best recruiting/disbanding system for the Roman campaign?

Ave

M. Spedius Corbulo

NB. For a more comprehensive introduction see my posting of 23 November, on page 2 of this topic.

[sum1won]

Personally, I build up around light infantry and cavalry, not getting heavies for a while. Velites are really good starting troops, and I have 4 in my ending army. Scouts stop being very useful later on, especially when the enemy stretches across the map.

Try to disband as little as possible, and only recruit troops you will probably keep. Otherwise you end up with a bunch of troops with little experience.

[spedius01]

Personally, I build up around light infantry and cavalry, not getting heavies for a while. Velites are really good starting troops, and I have 4 in my ending army. Scouts stop being very useful later on, especially when the enemy stretches across the map.

Try to disband as little as possible, and only recruit troops you will probably keep. Otherwise you end up with a bunch of troops with little experience.

Even more sound advice. At the beginning of scenario #06, I have the General, 4 militia, 2 skirmishers & 2 scouts and
still have 30 dinari left. Enough for a couple of sets of javelins for my skirmishers. What do you think? Would your army look anything like this?

Ave

M. Spedius Corbulo

[sum1won]

Well, I would sell the skirmishers and militia to get velites, but thats a matter of preference. You may want to just save up for a unit of auxila, though.

[jdm]

I dont go for the militia much. I try to hang on and make do till I can afford something better. As I hate to disband unless its really necessary. You loose all the XP you have built up

Regards
JDM

[spedius01]

I dont go for the militia much. I try to hang on and make do till I can afford something better. As I hate to disband unless its really necessary. You loose all the XP you have built up

Regards
JDM

More sound advice. I've restarted the Roman campaign yet again. This time only recruiting those units that will be fighting in the final battle. This makes sense. As you correctly state, why have short term units exausting XP, when you can have long term ones. I'm just about to tackle scenario #07, Coriolanus - Volscian Chief, with a General, and one each of the Militia, Scouts, Velites and Auxilia. Wish me luck.

Vale

M. Spedius Corbulo

[spedius01]

Well, I would sell the skirmishers and militia to get velites, but thats a matter of preference. You may want to just save up for a unit of auxila, though.

I've reread your idea, not bad! That would mean starting with the General, velites and scouts. Then would you campaign with just those three until you could afford auxilia? Isn't that a bit risky? I just might give it a try.

Vale

M. Spedius Corbulo

[sum1won]

It works if you use abilities like disengage and you countercharge the enemy when possiblr... The general is great at tying the enemy up at lower levels.

[spedius01]

It works if you use abilities like disengage and you countercharge the enemy when possiblr... The general is great at tying the enemy up at lower levels.

Good idea. I'll have to try that as well. Got any more ideas?


Vale


M. Spedius Corbulo

[miki]

What if possibilities for the Roman campaign...

Rome as an Etrurian state, or Rome as a Greek polis state: Imagine that Etruria regains control of Rome, or Neapolis arrange an Italian Greek league and conquer Rome. You can play the Roman campaign trying to emulate her imperialism but with hoplite troops (that is, Etrurian or western greek empire)

Don't buy Hastatis, legionnaries or Praetorians, never. The backbone of your army MUST BE made of hoplites/spearmen (50%). You can buy Auxilia and velites as an italian/samnite/latin elite light infantry/skirmish (medium/light armour, javelins) but, skirmishers and archers look more "greekish" or "etruskish". You can buy a greater proportion of cavalry -up to 25% of your army- than Roma never had... Set it to hardest difficulty level, of course.

Just a thought.

[ehre]

I start out, whether im roman or celt, by selling everything and getting the best unit i can afford(spears for romans and warriors for celts) ill fight with 1 unit on the first few battles, using gold to buy and sell skirmishers until i have a sound infantry base, then get calvary/archers.

just basically upgrade the troops for better ones

[sum1won]

Personally, I think roman auxilla are by far superior to roman spearmen. The rough terrain benefits more than make up for a slight increase in durability and a resitance to cavalry. Want those? Get real heavy infantry. The auxilia is the best light infantry troops you can get, while you can get far better heavy infantry than spearmen. Unit redundancy is very, very important.

If you disagree, feel free to start a thread.

[spedius01]

What if possibilities for the Roman campaign...

Rome as an Etrurian state, or Rome as a Greek polis state: Imagine that Etruria regains control of Rome, or Neapolis arrange an Italian Greek league and conquer Rome. You can play the Roman campaign trying to emulate her imperialism but with hoplite troops (that is, Etrurian or western greek empire)

Don't buy Hastatis, legionnaries or Praetorians, never. The backbone of your army MUST BE made of hoplites/spearmen (50%). You can buy Auxilia and velites as an italian/samnite/latin elite light infantry/skirmish (medium/light armour, javelins) but, skirmishers and archers look more "greekish" or "etruskish". You can buy a greater proportion of cavalry -up to 25% of your army- than Roma never had... Set it to hardest difficulty level, of course.

Just a thought.

Hi Miki,

Interesting idea!

Vale

M. Spedius Corbulo

[spedius01]

I start out, whether im roman or celt, by selling everything and getting the best unit i can afford(spears for romans and warriors for celts) ill fight with 1 unit on the first few battles, using gold to buy and sell skirmishers until i have a sound infantry base, then get calvary/archers.

just basically upgrade the troops for better ones

Hi ehre,

I have to agree with sum1wun, Roman auxilia, would appear to be an inspired first choice. I was so impressed with the concept that I'm going to try it. After dispanding all squads you would have 300 dinari, just the price of an auxilia cohort, what a coincidence, not!!!
I'll come back and post my experiences.

Vale

M. Spedius Corbulo

[spedius01]

Personally, I think roman auxilla are by far superior to roman spearmen. The rough terrain benefits more than make up for a slight increase in durability and a resitance to cavalry. Want those? Get real heavy infantry. The auxilia is the best light infantry troops you can get, while you can get far better heavy infantry than spearmen. Unit redundancy is very, very important.

If you disagree, feel free to start a thread.

Hi sum1wun,

You scored a hit there, Roman auxilia are the best light troops that dinari can buy, imagine their XP at the end of the campaign. Wow!!!! Super auxilia, able to take on all comers.

Vale

M. Spedius Corbulo

[ehre]

im likin the light auxilia idea too, youll be keepin the lights until the end anyways and most of the maps, especially in the celt campaign have crucial parts in the map that are rough terrain

[spedius01]

im likin the light auxilia idea too, youll be keepin the lights until the end anyways and most of the maps, especially in the celt campaign have crucial parts in the map that are rough terrain

Hi ehre,

How are you?

Can you set my mind at rest?

The Celtic Campaign, do you fight as Celts or as Romans against Celts?

Vale

M. Spedius Corbulo

[ehre]

celts, against other celts, romans, and sometimes greeks

[spedius01]

celts, against other celts, romans, and sometimes greeks

Hi again ehre,

Many thanx for clearing that up:)

Keep well,

Vale

M. Spedius Corbulo

[ehre]

always glad to help