Slitherine

I don't find them a pushover at all.

Is that how it's supposed to be?

Any tips appreciated.

Thanks.

Why do you think they should be a pushover?

Assuming you are playing against the AI..

What works for me: I think its mostly a matter of balancing your ratios of legion quality. I would rather take 1 vet legion + 3 raw legions than 2 vet legions or 6 raw legions for example. Take enough superior and elite legions to cover the front spaces of your checkerboard, then fill the back of the board with average and raw legions or scutari. Let the AI make the initial engagements so they either lose and bounce off or you can easily reinforce if they stick in. If the AI has a superior warband on a flank your should make it a priority to try and distract it with cavalry. I played a quick match after seeing this topic to refresh my memory and was able to do this and took one of the AI's general warbands completely out of the fight chasing after my cavalry. Elephants can be handy as a support unit. Keep it in the back line and look for an opportunity to reinforce against a disrupted warband. Skirmishers should focus on killing the AI's cavalry, not on picking away at warbands.

Have you tried playing as the Gauls vs the Romans and seeing how that feels balance wise?