Interesting anachronistic or unconventional army matchups

[antiochosvii]

HI all, I'm making this thread because I share a passion for asymmetrical custom campaigns between interesting foes, often those that never would have faced each other.

My first 100 hours or so in FOGII were spent in recreating historical campaigns I found interesting -- What if I was Philip V against the Romans, or Memnon of Rhodes against Alexander? All very enjoyable, and when a particular commander or king piques my interest I am liable to do this again.

However, lately I've been experimenting with anachronistic matchups across space and time. My recent 15-battle campaign as the Egyptians against late Hellenistic Syracuse was one of the most fun experiences in recent memory. Defensive spearmen are a wonderful and rare unit, and training up my mediocre Egyptian doryphoroi into seasoned avengers of Amun was fantastic. Countering Syracuse's Gallic warbands with massed archer units was a memorable experience as well.

My current campaign is Assyria vs. Rome, and I must say it's fiendishly difficult. Second-rank archers are incredibly useful, but that pilum impact is hard to beat. I've had to be very creative with my positioning, although the Assyrian medium foot unit are the true MVPs. They've won multiple battles for me just by standing on patches of rough ground.

I'm always on the lookout for new suggestions -- I use the TT mod, and I'm finishing up an interesting book on the Third Sacred War and Jason of Pherae. I think my next foray will be as the Thessalians, but i'm not sure who to go up against -- perhaps the Achaemenids? My bet is that Jason would have done almost as well as Alexander had he lived to invade the Empire.

Anyhow, what matchups (AI or player) have yall found to be most rewarding of late?

[Paul59]

I wish I could give you a full answer on this, but Christmas is here and that is my busiest time of year!

Off the top of my head I would recommend the following from the TT Mod, but really it contains so many "Easter Eggs" that even I can't remember most of it;

Sassanid Persians. The non evading Well Armoured Clibanarii are an interesting unit to get your head around. I am one of the seemingly few players that can play with and against Horse Archers, and I like my cavalry to evade, so I thought these Clibanarii were useless at first, but after a while I managed to work out some good tactics with them.

Lydians. I was very pleased with the look of these.

Cypriots and Phoenicians.

Eumenes. A hero of mine.

cheers

Paul

[antiochosvii]

I selected Lydians vs Macedon -- love the look of the cavalry.

Thanks for the suggestions! I'll try Cypriots next.

Hope you have a delightful Christmas!