EB Online Faction Guide

[gamegeek2]

I've created this thread so we can all post guides to the factions we have the most experience battling online with. First I'll group them into "faction" groups, then detail individual factions.


Hellenic Factions
Makedonia
Ptolemaioi (this may seem out of place, but their unit roster doesn't have too many Eastern levies)
Qart-Hadast (this may seem out of place, but their unit roster is very similar to that of a Hellenic faction)
Koinon Hellenon
Epeiros

The Hellenic factions prominently feature heavy infantry, especially pike phalanxes and other spearmen. They also feature strong heavy cavalry, and some decent but not particularly cost-efficient light cavalry. Most don't have very good missile troops, but mercenaries tend to make up for this.

Romani

The Romani are even more focused on heavy infantry than the Hellenes. Their cavalry is decent but somewhat lackluster, but their diverse and flexible infantry make up for this; like the barbarians, they feature both niche-filling units; like the Hellenes, they have strong mainline heavy infantry. Like the Hellenes, they often rely on mercenaries for missile troops.

"Barbarian" Factions
Aedui
Arverni
Casse
Lusotana
Sweboz
Getai

"Barbarian" factions tend to focus on heavy infantry with lower armour than those of "civilized" factions. However, their elite units tend to be savagely good, and they have strong niche-filling units as well. Their missile units aren't bad, and their cavalry, while nothing special, is capable of getting the job done.

Eastern Faction
Hayasadan

Their heavy infantry don't stack up to that of the Hellenes, but do a respectable job. They have plentiful cheap but effective levies, especially their archers. They also pack some of the finest cavalry in the game, heavy cataphracts that can bowl opponents over, as well as strong horse archers.

East Hellenic Factions
Pontos
Baktria
Arche Seleukeia

The East Hellenic factions are a hybrid between the Hellenes and Eastern factions - they feature the typical unit Hellenic roster, but they also have access to the cheap, cost-effective levies of Eastern factions. They also have cataphracts in addition to other types of Hellenic cavalry. While their heavy infantry aren't as strong, they have an overall more balanced roster and stronger cavalry.

Steppe Factions
Sauromatae
Saka Rauka

Together with Pahlava, they have the best cavalry in the game. Their mainstay units, horse archers, are invulnerable to heavy infantry except in rare circumstances. They have dual-role archer-lancers which can smash the enemy in a charge or pick them off at range. And they have cataphracts like the Eastern factions, able to bowl enemies over with a devastating charge. Their infantry tend to be poor and not very diverse, mostly levies, though their foot archers are easily on par with, if not better than, those of Eastern factions.

Eastern/Steppe Faction
Pahlava

Together with the steppe factions, they have the best cavalry in the game. They don't have quite the diverse selection of horse archers that their steppe counterparts have, but they have access to the large pool of cost-effective eastern levies. Pahlava actually has the best heavy cavalry in the game, namely the Grivpanvar but also a large number of powerful noble cataphract units. They, too have archer-lancers, which can perform the roles of both units devastatingly well.

Saba
It's certainly possible to win with the Saba, but their units are of poorer quality than those of other factions. Think of their army as being entirely composed of Eastern levies, with no cataphracts.



Qart-Hadast Guide

[Vasiliyi]

This is good, but shouldn't it be moved to the Guides/aars section of the forum?

[vartan]

Hayasdan, in a category of its own. :2thumbsup:

[Vasiliyi]

Saba
These guys suck, don't use them in custom battles.

Careful, that could offend someone.

[MerlinusCDXX]

Pahlava really must be considered a Steppe/Eastern Hybrid (or Transitional) faction. In the early game, they play just like the steppen nomads, but after their military reform, have the same access to capable, if not particularly good infantry. They also gain access to the multitude of levies that other Eastern factions gain, and some of those levies are surprisingly effective if used properly.

I'd consider Pontos more of a "Hellenized Eastern faction", as their factional units are mostly eastern. To gain their Hellenic units, some of their homelands must be "regionalized".

[vartan]

I totally agree with Merlinus, as Pontos is a persian empire run in an area of Anatolia known to be colonized by Greeks...I think it was Trapezous back in the day. Trebizond now. Nice place too.

[madbriton]

Poor Epeiros. It even gets forgotten from a guide thread...

[Jebivjetar]

Kart-Hadast deserves its own category too. Their unit rooster is similar to Roman, as well as Hellene army rooster+ they have some hard-core barbarian troops from Iberia.

[Moros]

These guys suck, don't use them in custom battles.


You just wait until AtB comes out and I'll conquer the whole world with my precious Sabaeans!

Anyway while I can't say they have the strongest rooster, it's also true that they lack a few units which would have made them stronger.

Either way, a good idea, hope to see some new information and new tips again.

[athanaric]

Great idea, i've always wanted something like this!



Saba
These guys suck, don't use them in custom battles.

While it's true that they have the weakest unit roster ATM, I wouldn't say they suck. You just gotta employ some different tactics with them, like with Casse or Swêboz (although the latter two are of course much stronger in woods and close combat).




Anyway while I can't say they have the strongest rooster, it's also true that they lack a few units which would have made them stronger.


What, they fielded roosters? Are there some cultural ties to the French? :clown:

[Aemilius Paulus]

Careful, that could offend someone.
Truth hurts. What he said is true. Only way he could change that is add some less-unflattering adjectives. Saba are like a handicap: you can still win, but with great difficulty. They are not unique. They are quite rotten. Employing "different tactics" is a euphemism for "they are lousy so I have to be very samrt and innovate greatly to win".

[gamegeek2]

Added Epeiros, fixed Saba description.



You just wait until AtB comes out and I'll conquer the whole world with my precious Sabaeans!

AtB...we'll certainly add Sabaean cities, I'll give you that ;) You're certainly invited to the team...

[johnhughthom]

I would also change your description of horse archers as "invulnerable" to heavy infantry. They are very vulnerable if heavy infantry manage to engage. Perhaps you could say they are the nemesis of heavy infantry as they are almost impossible to catch or something similar.

[HunGeneral]

This is a good idea - I migh try to make a Saka quide after I'm done with my exams.:book:

Horse archers are really not "invulnerable". As said by johnhughthom they are rather "Just" dangerous for infantry (exspecially light meele troopers who have no armor for protection:skull:)...

[the man with no name]

Kart-Hadast deserves its own category too. Their unit rooster is similar to Roman, as well as Hellene army rooster+ they have some hard-core barbarian troops from Iberia.
I agree. Why didn't you just post this on my guide in EB game play
guides and AAR's? Like it any way.:2thumbsup:

[Jebivjetar]

I agree. Why didn't you just post this on my guide in EB game play
guides and AAR's? Like it any way.:2thumbsup:


I missed that i guess. Anyway i can't found it even now. :sweatdrop:


O, and i think i've typed something wrong in my previous post (because of my bad english). I wanted to say that Charthaginian army rooster have some similarities with roman and Hellenic army rooster, and that's why i think that Carthage shouldn't be in "Hellene" category. They have their own hard coree troops though. So, put them in special category gamegeek2 :sweatdrop:

And... i can't resist: you can put romans together with other barbs as well. Would be nice :clown:

[gamegeek2]

Created Pahlava's own category.

What does Qarthadast have more in common with Romans than Hellenes? Sure, the African Heavy Infantry are essentially legionnaires, but look at the following parallels

African Pikemen - Argyraspidai/Chaonion Agema/Klerouchon Agema
Sacred Band Cavalry - Hetairoi/Molosson Agema
Sacred Band Inf - Hypaspistai/Epilektoi Hoplitai
Libyan Spearmen - Thureophoroi
Heavy Libyans - Thorakitai
Liby-Phoenician Inf - Hoplitai
Iberian Assault Inf - Pheraspidai

The other, native Iberian units don't count, they're essentially foreign natives.

The first guide I'll write is for Qart-Hadast. Start posting info on them.

[Jebivjetar]

Created Pahlava's own category.

What does Qarthadast have more in common with Romans than Hellenes? Sure, the African Heavy Infantry are essentially legionnaires, but look at the following parallels

African Pikemen - Argyraspidai/Chaonion Agema/Klerouchon Agema
Sacred Band Cavalry - Hetairoi/Molosson Agema
Sacred Band Inf - Hypaspistai/Epilektoi Hoplitai
Libyan Spearmen - Thureophoroi
Heavy Libyans - Thorakitai
Liby-Phoenician Inf - Hoplitai
Iberian Assault Inf - Pheraspidai

The other, native Iberian units don't count, they're essentially foreign natives.





In that case, Kart-Hadast can be put together even with nomads because of their Iberian Lancers (something lke armoured h/a's without archers), and with barbs because of their hard-core ap troops like elite liby-phoenican infantry (barb: naked fanatics or wildmen) and so on.

Anyway, Carthaginian pikemen are elite, and strategy of Carthagian army on the field is supposed to be very different than Hellenic pike-phalanx-based field development. I know that in mp battles many users (including myself) are acting very similar as Hellenes with pikes as a core troops, but this is just an example of searching for best-suited strategy for Carthaginians, and not a definite Carthaginian strategy. If you take Hannibal as an example, you'll see what i'm talking about: their mix of various types of infantry makes them specific.

Because of that Carthage must be in its own category.

Carthage deserves that :yes:


EDIT: i have also developed mechanism for breaking phalanx line, but it works only with AI... tried that on Maion in mp , but it doesn't work. Damn :clown: And its not about encirclement: with some mix of Carthaginian troops one can beat any phalanx you like- from the front: without cheating (like running through phalanx).

I'll post a picture very soon. It may be useful for some players.


EDIT No2 (a picture)


https://img192.imageshack.us/img192/8898/strategy.jpg

[zooeyglass]

Great thread - i'm keen to contribute.

Stupid question, but I better say it all the same:

What kind of information do you want in the guide? I was thinking of trying my hand at a Casse (or maybe Pontus) guide but wanted some clarification. I suppose the ideal guide would contain some of the following headings:

- Early game - first 12 turns or so - strategy for survival/initial conquest/economy management

- Family members - effective selection/training/what types of family members to expect and how best to use them

- Army composition - key troops/starting strategies/things to try out/cheap deals for troops

- Expansion - key points/what governments to install/routes to take/tips/ambush points/chokepoints

- Late(r) game - (i'm imagining after 20 years here) optimum army composition/effective expansion (not leaving things so that you are exposed/weakened/open to revolt)/training of FMs/supply lines / all important reforms - if these have not been covered already!

gamegeek2, i think it would be a good idea if you were to provide everyone with a structure for their guides, which each guide writer could fill in - that way, each guide will be comparable, and guide readers will know what to expect. of course my list in no way covered all the bases one could expect from a guide, but i hope that at least showed some of the options a guide writer might have. if there were to be some kind of recommended structure then we would avoid one guide that just covered turns 1-12, another that was just an army composition guide, and so on and so forth.

thoughts?

[Svenn]

"Their cavalry is decent but somewhat lackluster" - a bit contradictory perhaps?

Also, i think Getai and Casse should be in different categories. Getai dont have chariots, Casse dont have decent archers, Hoplites or Horse archers. I think the only similarity is that they both wear trousers.

Apart from that, i think its a good idea

[vartan]

without cheating (like running through phalanx).

Why is this a cheat? Didn't soldiers move aside pikes or something? How did they historically go against pikes from the front?

[Jebivjetar]

Why is this a cheat? Didn't soldiers move aside pikes or something? How did they historically go against pikes from the front?


I was thinking about exploiting the phalanx, you know, when one sends his troops to run through the phalanx... In mp that is pure cheating.
I don't think that, historically, soldiers did actually run through spears to reach phalangites: i think that they should have to make their way through pikes first to engage soldiers later, and that is another story, and it takes much more time (read: fight). If you just run through pikes, you're actually cheating.

[Maion Maroneios]

Why is this a cheat? Didn't soldiers move aside pikes or something? How did they historically go against pikes from the front?
Because phalanxes get ripped apart this way. It is an exploit, not a tactic that would have been used. Trying to run behind a pikewall would result in you getting impaled upon the speartips.

Occassional tactics to get past pikes, would be to try and shove aside the pikes with a shield, using wedge formations to "penetrate" the pikewall, or rolling uder it. All tactics may have caused some mayhem (especially against levied soldiers), but an experienced unit of pikemen would easily be able to counter such tactics, especially when they have former experience with them.

Maion

[Celtic_Punk]

but your cowardly pikewalls would be broken eventually :beam:

[DaciaJC]

I was thinking about exploiting the phalanx, you know, when one sends his troops to run through the phalanx... In mp that is pure cheating.

If you just run through pikes, you're actually cheating.

Easy to say when the RTW engine favors you. Phalangites can magically pick up their 20+ foot sarissas after already being engaged, swing them around 180* in the air, and then impale flanking enemies upon them when they bring them back level to the ground (even if that ground is currently being covered with enemy troops).

What's even better is when they don't even bother raising their sarissas but simply swing them around like a giant scythe through enemies. :whip:

[antisocialmunky]

The only analogue to the run through would be for hoplites or other heavily armored close order infantry to simulate their push. Greek Hoplites pushing did manage to stop the Macedonian style phalanxes on atleast two occassions.

The EB engine is rather strange when it comes to any sort of formation warfare. You can actually put a unit in defense mode and order it to attack a phalanx. The effect is that the units will run past all the pikes and engage the front rank of pikemen befall stalling out and getting poked away.

That being said, you probably should keep in mind that its not that particularly hard to counter if you're expecting it.

[Maion Maroneios]

The only analogue to the run through would be for hoplites or other heavily armored close order infantry to simulate their push. Greek Hoplites pushing did manage to stop the Macedonian style phalanxes on atleast two occassions.

The EB engine is rather strange when it comes to any sort of formation warfare. You can actually put a unit in defense mode and order it to attack a phalanx. The effect is that the units will run past all the pikes and engage the front rank of pikemen befall stalling out and getting poked away.

That being said, you probably should keep in mind that its not that particularly hard to counter if you're expecting it.
Beig able to efficiently "push" through a pikewall has to do with many things. First and foremost, armour and a decent shield. Hoplites could (theoretically, at least) break a pikewall by pushing enough. Bu that doesn't mean it could happen every time.

See, I had fought a battle once against ACS who played the Sweboz. He said he'd wipe me off the floor in less than 2 minutes. He did. He used swordsmen with silver chevrons and weapon upgrades and, after running behind my pikewall, started butchering my main line. While I was busy flanking him in earnest and managing to actually deliver several back charges with my Hetairoi, the morale bonuses plus the fact that my line was already routing gave him a (quite) easy victory.

What I want to say, is that people should stop complaining about ot being able to use the phalanx exlpoit. You already debate about lowering the mnai limit (which is going to cripple us enough), debating about doing something that is probably highly ahistorical would be nonsense. IMO, it was not the fact that other nations had superior infantry that they won over the Hellenes. It was theit stubborness (Romans) and refusal to surrender when beaten repeatedly (Pyrrhos). Not to forget that "hiding behind pikes" gave several men (Megas Alexandros, Pyrrhos) some wonderful victories to brag about.

Maion

[Jebivjetar]

Well, once i have played with one guy who smashed my phalanx in less than one minute by exploit, and i must say that wasn't a game. So i suggest that "phalanx exploiters" should warn their opponent before the battle about their intentions. I will never play with such players anymore. Amen.

Btw against AI is very easy to beat phalanxes without cheating. So i don't know why should one even try to exploit phalanx.

[Knight of Heaven]

well if you want ahistorical facts forget phalanx exploit, what about hetarioi spawn???
their descripition says they were lower in number yet again i found myself using 3 heatrioi or 2 each companny with 50 units on then, i mean its not very acurrate too.
we have distinguised hoplites and other units with reduced numbers why not the hetarioi? well but i belive its EB engine fault. Historicaly the number of phalanx in a army varies but 6 is also to much, for instance the battle of magnesia Anthiocus only had 2 groups of phalanx, One native and other silver shields, of course they were like 4000, 6000 men each phalanx, maybe nerfing the phalanx numbers on EB?? yet again its Eb,or rome engine fault, or maybe not we just have to reach a consense. if we want to folow historical armies. they didnt use phalanx as we use it. maybe 3 or 2 groups of phalanx with inf on suport is how they use it.

[Duguntz]

phalanx exploit? f*** **f!!! That's not an exploit, that's a weak point they got, that's all. It's like to say : don't use archer against my naked fanas, it's using their weakness and so must be considered as exploit. Yeah, to toss a 21 foot sarrisa away to punch the guy in the face must have been difficult when facing a wall but certainly not impossible! I'm not encouraging to run threw phalanx, i don't do it myself (because my guys have no armors at all... so it'd kill too many of them) but to all hellenes lovers, stop crying that because your phalanx get smashed in a way that it's exploiting the system and damn, accept that even your pike elites have their weakness, wich, in war, is there to be EXPLOITED by your ennemy! yeah, that's the point of war... to exploit the weak points of your ennemy. so, if you don't like that, well, find a way to counter it! we call it : STRATEGY!

[Maion Maroneios]

phalanx exploit? f*** **f!!! That's not an exploit, that's a weak point they got, that's all. It's like to say : don't use archer against my naked fanas, it's using their weakness and so must be considered as exploit. Yeah, to toss a 21 foot sarrisa away to punch the guy in the face must have been difficult when facing a wall but certainly not impossible! I'm not encouraging to run threw phalanx, i don't do it myself (because my guys have no armors at all... so it'd kill too many of them) but to all hellenes lovers, stop crying that because your phalanx get smashed in a way that it's exploiting the system and damn, accept that even your pike elites have their weakness, wich, in war, is there to be EXPLOITED by your ennemy! yeah, that's the point of war... to exploit the weak points of your ennemy. so, if you don't like that, well, find a way to counter it! we call it : STRATEGY!
No Duguntz, you got it wrong. It was impossible to just run an entire unit behind a wall of pikes. We don't cry about getting beaten, but certainly we won't sit there cross-armed and watch our armies get obliterated because someone rips our main line apart within seconds.

And yes, it is undoubdly an exploit. A cheat, if you prefer. Because you use the engine against the opponent. Running behind a pikewall ruthlessly without even bothering to shield yourself, would get you impaled. Badly. That's what I believe, at least. But if you employ this exploit with several good sword-wielding units, you'll rip the enemy phalanx line apart in zero time. Your own lossess may be great as well, but in the end you'll win anyway. Especially if you have superior quality armies with chevrons and weapon upgrades.

But you know something? That's my oppinion, and what you stated is yours. You want to use the phalanx exploit yourself because you deem it historically accurate? Fine. But don't try playing against me on-line, because I don't consider myself a cheater nor do I like to play against such people. And Duguntz, obviously I'm not referring to you. I'm referring to anyone who shares the same oppinion as I aforementioned (the pro-phalanx exploit guys) in general.

EDIT: You want my proof of it being an exploit? Give me one occassion under which a non-pike armed army broke a pikewall on a clear, open field against decent (Macedonian) pikemen. Without using any pilae or javelins to disrupt the formation, and without using terrain anomalies as an advantage. As far as I know, the "strategy" you talk about applies to those who actually want to beat a phalanx army, not vise versa. Because the main ojective of a phalanx army, is to pin and outflank. Not to try and keep your phalanxes from being torn apart by men who run behind your lines. Sheesh. If you face a phalanx army, you have to find a way to outflank the enemy. That, my friend, is your strategy. Not mine.

Maion

[Duguntz]

Ha loo Maion, looks you felt insulted! Relax dude, i was stating that yes, I think that it was possible (altough stupid) to run threw pikes by tossing them (with shield or weapon, obvously not your chest hmmm!)

Now, as i stated before, i myself do not use that tactic, to run threw, because... ambushes are waaaaaay more funny! and appart of bodyguard, I've no unit decent enough to pass threw pikes as my elites are... naked!

so it's just a divergence as some call it cheat, some call it a... dirty tactic! (low waist hit... in boxe therm!)

cheers mate! looking foward to see you on the battlefield!

[antisocialmunky]

Eh? Silver Chevron High Lethality Armor Piercing Germans huh? Yeah, that'd probably work but thats +4 to +6 defense and attack to an armor piercing high lethality unit that totally breaks the balancing.

Anyways, you won't probably need the phalanx breaking thing in this tournement, you're not totally gimped against heavy cav like the Romans were(Ironically it wasn't possible with the most gimped Marion Legions) in RvG so might as well not piss off anyone with a pike hard-on :-p.

I'm more concerned with dealing with flying pikes and spinning phalangites.

[Duguntz]

silver chevron? pfff, what's that? Gold, at least! AND 3 OF THEM! like if we had the money! yeah, I can bet even my naked dudes would break a phalanx from front with those monster bonuses... but for a fairness question, i always fight WITHOUT any ''upgrade'' of any king... All my units already have enough bonuses in the woods, and almost double when in the woods in the winter (combining with the malus that some units of ennemies have in winter!) that makes quiet formidable opponant... hmmm yeah, another thing (and not to argue, just to point it out) talking about he woods, I mean, I understand that pike-lovers hates player who just run head on in their pikes and succesfully disrupt their formation (although i don't do it, I'm still thinking it's more a tactic than a cheat!) But what about that, to compare cheat with cheat : In danse woods.. your pikes stay in a perfect formation, as impenetrable than in the open!!! (and I unfortunatly tasted it myself many times!) yeah, that's the fault of the system, i know it, but just as to charge in phalanx with good enough swordmen is also the fault of the system... when you sprang an ambush and you wait far in the woods and hope for a disruption, Dang, how disapointing it is... Because for the sake of NOT cheating, yeah, i hope that the woods would disrupt any pike formation, and more than that, physicly make it impossible to enter a decent formation... So guys, here'S the deal : I'm agree with you and start campaining against the use of the system and exploit against phalanx-pike, I already don't do it myself, but to make it more fare (and roleplaying as sweboz) not even put on defense mode against phalanx! but on the other side, pikes do not use ''phalanx'' ability in danse woods... too much? think about a pike of 21 foot in the forest and tell me if it's too much... I think it's fair for everybody, no cheat and no cheat, and that way neither player would exploit the system... any opinion guys?

[Maion Maroneios]

Ha loo Maion, looks you felt insulted! Relax dude, i was stating that yes, I think that it was possible (altough stupid) to run threw pikes by tossing them (with shield or weapon, obvously not your chest hmmm!)

Now, as i stated before, i myself do not use that tactic, to run threw, because... ambushes are waaaaaay more funny! and appart of bodyguard, I've no unit decent enough to pass threw pikes as my elites are... naked!

so it's just a divergence as some call it cheat, some call it a... dirty tactic! (low waist hit... in boxe therm!)

cheers mate! looking foward to see you on the battlefield!
Not insulted at all, mate. Just a little frustrated about the fact that you don't show me any real evidence about a "decent sword infantry unit' being able to disrupt a pikewall in a few seconds.

Just remember how terrified te Romans were when facing the Macedonian phalanx (Aemilius' quote after the battle of Pydna springs to mind). As far as I've read, the Roman soldiers tried a miltitude of tactics to penentrate the pikewall but to no avail. This includes trying to cutt the spearheads off, shoving the pikes aside and others. But even if you get past the first 2-3 rows by shoving them aside (which would probably have been quite difficult), you still have another 3-2 waiting for you.

And if that is not enough, let me remind you of the legendary conquests of Megas Alexandros himself. He might have been a tactical genius, but he wouldn't have done much if he hadn't one of the finest armies in his disposal.

Maion

[Jebivjetar]

phalanx exploit? f*** **f!!! That's not an exploit, that's a weak point they got, that's all. It's like to say : don't use archer against my naked fanas, it's using their weakness and so must be considered as exploit.

That is a wrong analogy. Weak points of phalanx are rear and flank.

[satalexton]

indeed it is, NEVER let the enemy slingers pelt your agryaspides from the back!!

[Knight of Heaven]

Man can someone post a video demostrating what phalanx exploit is???
i mean it will be very helpfull for who dont konw what it is.
becouse its not taking avantage of enemy weekness, is cheating thats all , is a glich of the game and for people who dont kown it , they didnt use it.

[johnhughthom]

I believe you simply click behind the phalanx to get your troops to move through the spears, then when you are amongst the phalanx you attack them. I may be wrong though as I have never tried it, I agree it is somethng of an exploit and prefer to defeat phalanx armies by flanking manoeuvers. Which is hardly difficult.

[antisocialmunky]

That's done without finesse, I like my way better. It feels the most legit since it takes some coordination.

[the man with no name]

AEDUI
It's kind of obvious what 2 do first. BLOW UP THE DAMN ARVERNI!!! Go for Viennos first as this will sever their trade. Then take your main force to Gergovia and starve them out. While ur doing that send Vortigern (ur starting Diplomat) to make peace with the Romans. They might stab you in the back though.Then before they sally attack. Just trust me on this one. Fight well with the 6 seige towers you should of made and capture all towers that could interfere with your assault by shooting at ur men. Take city. Then do the same to Vesontio except that you should build 4 rams instead if they didn't build big wall. If they did then make 6 siege towers. This time attack though if you want to save time. If not starve them out. Then attack and win! If ur lucky Galatia won't rebel to the Arverni. If it does then at least they're out of the way. What i did then is take Masailia. Good port city = lots of trade. Then take Bononia if the Romans haven't already because if they haven't taken it, it will be weakened. Then take Patavium. If the romans haven't atttacked you yet GO TO WAR WITH THEM SO U CAN KICK THIER ARSES. I suggest going down the peninsula taking each city. From then unite the Gallic tribes and it really doesn't matter in which order just be ready in case the the the Sweboz attack if it's 260-255 Be ready for Sweboz. Then you should take your Iberian objective again in order of closest to Bibracte. Then finally prepare a big invasion force to take and hold Calmusadae (How do u spell it?) and Ictis.
THEN CONQUER THE WORLD, MWHAHAHAHAHAHA.
__________________



This was my original guide.


Some others:--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Getai:By Ignopotens

Option 1:
- Disband cavalry units and some infantry (not the Light Phalanx, though, they're you're only line-holders for a little while)
- Combine the 2 armies, leave 1 FM behind in Buridava, with taxes at max
- Spend all your money on buildings (I like to build roads, the next MIC, and farms)
- Head North and conquer Sarmiszegethusza (might run into rebels on the way, easy to beat, though)
- Disband most of your army, especially anything that you can recruit with the new MIC you're building in Buridava.
- Wait until you're no longer in the negative, money-wise
- build army again and head over and take Kallatis
- Again disband most of the army, and wait until you have plenty of money, while upgrading MIC's and building whatever else suits you. You should be in a pretty good situation by now, about 10 years in, with a solid economic base and good units available
- Decide which way to expand, if South, pick a Greek faction to fight and ally yourself with the others

Option 2:
- Same as Option 1, but take Kallatis first, don't disband, and head straight to Sarmisz, then disband and wait for the economy to sort itself out


Option 3: By: Drewski

For those who don't mind fights at big odds...

Firstly, take the faction leader (plus any troops in your only city) and swap him for the Northern Army FM, who shall stay in your city. Head North, hire some Galatians mercs. Take the Eastern Army and head East. Set taxes to low (for city growth).

VERY IMPORTANT: Now send your diplomat towards Pella. End turn.

At start of turn 2, check graph to see how much cash Macedon has. Ask for something outrageous like 25,000 for peace. Barter, for as much as you can get (12-14,000 is possible, but try to avoid multiple turn deals, you want a lump sum now even if its less than in the long run)..Hire some mercs for east army, hire one more unit for North Army. Battle North to Sarmis, East to Kalatis simultaneously.Siege for one turn, once ram(s) are built, fight clever and take cities with minimal losses. Whip diplomat up North to get peace with Sarmatians. Take Eastern Army south to Tylis, Northern Army west to Ank. Take cities in same way.

Now head all back to Sarmis (make this your capital) combine remaining spare troops, and head north-east to Bastarnae province (no walls here especially if you are quick)...take this city.

You now have 6 provinces, an economy in the black and an excellent troop base, in only a few short yrs with no disbanding necessary...

Rest is up to you ;)




Sweboz: By athanaric

I'm generally against disbanding starting troops. If they are there, they are there for a purpose. Of course "my way" thus forces you to initially blitz a few settlements lest you dive straight into insane debt.
As a rule of thumb, a Swêboz player (who doesn't disband half of his army) has to blitz approximately four settlements in order to make some profit. I would recommend Rugolandam, Silengolandam (Mines!), Habukolandam and Kimbrolandam as first targets.
By contrast, Baktria has to "blitz" only one province. I highly recommend Paropamisadai (sp?) because like in the aforementioned Silengolandam province you can build highly profitable silver mines there. Additionally, it is out of harm's way should the Saka or Pahlavân attack you.

[Knight of Heaven]

hum nice guide but this is for EB online not campaing

[the man with no name]

hum nice guide but this is for EB online not campaing

Who cares?

[Maion Maroneios]

The purpose of the thread maybe?

Maion

[Apázlinemjó]

I have a few thoughts on Pontos:

First of all, they are the jack of all trades in the almighty EB. They have good heavy infantry (including phalanxes), good heavy cavalry, decent archers, capable skirmishers and a few horse archers. However, they master none of the stuffs mentioned up. You have Chalkaspidai, but they aren't Argyraspides, you have Pontikoi Strategoi, but they aren't Hetairoi and I could continue. So, if someone wants to have a good army with Pontos, then that someone has to know who will be the enemy.

If you fight barbarians:

They tend to be vulnerable against missiles, however they are very good in melee and have some deadly units with AP weapons. To fight them you will need archers, I prefer the Thureopherontes Toxotai, they are not Cretans (I know, Pontos could use them too as mercs, but seriously, aren't they overused a bit?), but still have the "rain of death" effect. Also, you will need good heavy infantry with swords or axes to hold your line, like Galatikoi Kuarothoroi and Tindanotae (Don't forget, Wild men count as elites). Light or medium infantry with javelins is nice too, but don't overdose yourself with them. The question is, do you need phalanxes against this enemy? Not really, of course a few of them won't hurt, Klerouchoi Phalangitai and maybe a Chalkaspidai will do the job. About cavalry, well heavy one, what you need here. I advice the Skuda Uaezdaettae (elites) or Galatikoi Lavotuxri, they will be able to hammer the barbarian line from rear. Let’s not forget that these units are not cheap, so you have to find the balance how you spend your mnai. With such units you will be able to bring down barbarian armies in 1vs1 fights.

If you fight Romans:

Cheap and good heavy infantry and decent cavalry with high morale level. One of your two options is to fight them as Hellenes do, use phalanx and heavy cavalry for hammer & anvil and a few flanker infantry. However your units are not as good as the „true” hellens’ so you will have a higher chance to lose the battle if you fight in the „old” fashion. But you can try a similiar to the anti-barbarian tactic too. Your Galatian units are killers, they are better than the legionaries in melee, you can use Thrakioi units also since they are known to be armored-unit-rapers. Don’t forget that your archer units won’t hurt the Romans as much as they did with the barbarians so if I were you I would trade some of them to slingers (Rhodians) or mobile spearmen (going to explain why). A few hillmen (Katpatuka Zanteush) on the flanks won’t hurt either, since they have AP axes and javelins too. Now the cavalry question, you could use the same heavies, buti f the Romans use Extraordinarii cavalry, then it’s a different story, because they will eat you slowly and painfully. That’s why a few mobile spearmen (Hoplitai or Thuerophoroi) and medium cavalry (Lonchophoroi Hippeis) instead of expensive heavy ones will do better in my opinion. If you can protect yourself from their heavy cavalry then your Galatians will overpower the Romani slowly and you will win the battle eventually.

If you fight nomads:

Hordes of horse archers and armored heavy cavalry. The nomad fighting styles are all agressive ones, they will attack and you can do nothing, because if you move your finger they run away. So you have to sit down and wait till they run out of ammo. How can we counter the extrem losses on our side before that happens? Honestly I don’t really know, I fought only twice against them online. But my advice is that don’t even try to counter their H/As with your owns, waste of mnai and men, don’t use light armored units either (except a few Thureopherontes Toxotai behind your line(s)). Get Pantodapoi Phalangitai and heavy armored spearmen, like Hoplitai and Galatikoi Kuarothoroi (They have spears too) units. In this battle your role is to be defensive; if they ran out of ammo, they will try to outflank and overwhelm you, if your position breaks you lost.

That’s all right now… if something is inaccurate, then correct me.