Log in

View Full Version : Beasts of War DLC



The Outsider
02-14-2014, 13:35
Postes on totalwar.com forums:


"We are delighted to announce the next forthcoming DLC for Total War: ROME II – the Beasts of War unit pack, which will be available to buy next week.

Marshall your savagery, and strike primal fear into the hearts of your enemies. Comprising seven new battlefield units, Beasts of War brings further variety to ROME II’s already diverse unit roster.

Terrorise your enemies and slow their progress with beehive, scorpion and snake-pot ballistas, or crush them under the weight of heavily-armoured Cataphract Camels and Mercenary Syrian Armoured Elephants. And when their will is broken and they flee the field, run them down with two new breeds of ferocious war-dogs.



• Molossian Dogs

Can be recruited by: Epirus

A heavily muscled beast from western Greece, the now-extinct Molossian is considered to be the predecessor of many of today’s larger breeds, such as the Rottweiler and Great Dane. Used as both a guard dog and in battle, Virgil remarked “never, with them on guard, need you fear for your stalls a midnight thief, or onslaught of wolves, or Iberian brigands at your back.” These vicious dogs do not tire easily, and never lose the scent of an enemy.

• Beehive Onager

Can be recruited by: Rome, Athens, Epirus, Macedon, Sparta, and Syracuse

Whilst large-scale beekeeping for agricultural purposes was a later innovation, the humble honeybee nevertheless held an important place in ancient Greek culture. A trio of mythical nymphs, the Thriae or ‘bee maidens’, were loved by Apollo and Poseidon, bearing their children. Bees also have a practical application in battle, as a swarm of angry bees will always cause troops to stall and panic.

• Scorpion Pot Ballista

Can be recruited by: Pontus, Parthia

Home to the most lethal scorpions in the known world, whose sting can paralyse and kill a man within an hour, it was only a matter of time before a wily Middle Eastern general used them against his enemies. Spare a thought, then, for the Roman emperor Severus; whilst besieging the Parthian city of Hatra, his army was showered with pots of scorpions from atop the city walls. Like Trajan before him, Severus failed to breach the defences, even after two attempts.

• Snake Pot Ballista

Can be recruited by: Carthage

Perhaps the most famous use of potted animals was Hannibal Barca’s tactic against the fleets of Eumenes II of Pergamon. Hurling large clay pots full of venomous snakes onto the decks of Eumenes’ ships; he panicked the enemy fleet and won the day. Any unit struck by writhing, venomous snakes will pause to consider the wisdom of marching onwards!

• Camel Cataphracts

Can be recruited by: Parthia

The Roman general Macrinus was not noted for his experience, although had another fought the Battle of Nisbis in 217 AD, it’s hard to imagine he’d be any less stunned by the Parthian cataphract camels fielded that day. Wearing coats of tough, yet flexible, scale-mail, they made an awesome and terrifying sight as they punched through the frontlines and spooked the Roman horses with their camels’ earthy stench.


• Celtic Warhounds

Can be recruited by: Iceni, Cantiaci, Caledones, Demetae, Dumnonii, Brigantes, and Ebdani

Dogs have always been useful for guard, patrol and scout work. With skilled handlers they can also be used effectively on the battlefield. Attack dogs were specifically bred and trained to ignore the noise and chaos of combat. The Celtic tribes of the late Iron Age put them to great use. Their speed and ferocity made them ideal shock-troops, and perfect for running down fleeing stragglers.

• Mercenary Syrian Armoured Elephants

Can be hired as mercenaries in: Dura, Antioch, Tyros, and Palmeira

Indian elephants first came to the Middle East when Seleucus, one of Alexander the Great’s Successors, invaded India in 305 BC. 500 war elephants were handed over as part of the peace treaty between the Seleucid dynasty and the Mauryans of India, and the Seleucids went on to breed many more from this initial stock. War elephants remained an important part of the Seleucid army until their defeat by the Romans at Magnesia in 190 BC, following which they were forbidden from breeding more".

Meh meh, if you ask me. I had enough of this stupid dlcs. Whatever..

Myth
02-14-2014, 16:17
Sounds interesting if slightly ahistorical considering the mass use we will be seeing ingame. However, I really hope this is priced around 2-3 euro. If they want something like 8-10+ euro it will be absurd.

Sp4
02-14-2014, 18:00
Why are there no women on this? Screeching women!

Slaists
02-14-2014, 20:05
A monthly subscription fee ;)

But it's still a far cry from the likes of candy-crush saga, etc. I get nightmares when I see my wife's i-tunes bill ;)

Sp4
02-15-2014, 02:29
I was just thinking.. beasts of war.. women and all.

BroskiDerpman
02-15-2014, 03:56
I was just thinking.. beasts of war.. women and all.

Ahahahahaha of course women.

Hooahguy
02-15-2014, 06:30
Well it wouldnt be the internet without some misogyny now would it? :rolleyes:

easytarget
02-15-2014, 17:30
Since no one else has mentioned it and it does pertain to this DLC: http://forums.totalwar.com/showthread.php/121577-Make-War-Not-Love-promotion-HELP-US-BEAT-RELIC!

Sp4
02-16-2014, 16:12
Well it wouldnt be the internet without some misogyny now would it? :rolleyes:

I don't hate them =p

BroskiDerpman
02-16-2014, 20:46
I don't hate them =p

I do wonder...

Sp4
02-17-2014, 01:31
Okay, I hate them =(

Kagemusha
02-17-2014, 15:41
Why are there no women on this? Screeching women!

It is surely the next DLC. "Babes of War"..

Sp4
02-17-2014, 23:57
You know, now that you mention it, I can actually see them do something like that... Some sort of Amazon DLC.

BroskiDerpman
02-18-2014, 00:50
You know, now that you mention it, I can actually see them do something like that... Some sort of Amazon DLC.

Dayuumm that's exotic.

(Remember that there's an extensive Amazonian mod for Rome 1... :clown: )

nearchos
02-24-2014, 10:47
Has anyone used these, scorpion, bee, snake etc balistae and noticed any other effect than just killing a few of enemies?
I mean, shouldnt there be a drop of morale, or temporarily imobilizing the target unit or something special as effect taking fire from such a machine?

Myth
02-24-2014, 16:06
I was expecting massive chain routs. I mean, that's pots of snakes raining on top of your men! Also, how much does the thing cost?

Slaists
02-24-2014, 20:27
I was expecting massive chain routs. I mean, that's pots of snakes raining on top of your men! Also, how much does the thing cost?

I've been hiding my credit card from the CA since the release of this DLC. As a result, the AI's troops have been safe from snakes in my campaigns ;)

nearchos
02-25-2014, 08:27
I was expecting massive chain routs. I mean, that's pots of snakes raining on top of your men! Also, how much does the thing cost?

Yes i agree, there should be a considerable moral effect but i havent noriced any.
Not sure about the cost for recruiting them, i used them in some custom battles and never in campaign, but i believe the cost is normal.

nearchos
02-25-2014, 08:30
I've been hiding my credit card from the CA since the release of this DLC. As a result, the AI's troops have been safe from snakes in my campaigns ;)
And if you decide to unhide it, the AI's troops will not see the difference....

nearchos
02-25-2014, 08:32
Pets of War DLC, the correct title for this DLC.

Sp4
02-25-2014, 13:12
And if you decide to unhide it, the AI's troops will not see the difference....

The AI doesn't use it? That doesn't surprise me at all.

nearchos
02-25-2014, 13:45
The AI doesn't use it? That doesn't surprise me at all.

Well, i havent seen the AI use it yet, perhaps because they cannot be used by slingers...... but what i was saying is that the AI troops will not bee affected any way.

Slaists
02-25-2014, 14:58
Well, i havent seen the AI use it yet, perhaps because they cannot be used by slingers...... but what i was saying is that the AI troops will not bee affected any way.

They would be if my armies started to throw snake pots at the AI ;)

CaptainCrunch
02-27-2014, 15:01
I've been hiding my credit card from the CA since the release of this DLC. As a result, the AI's troops have been safe from snakes in my campaigns ;)

So no 'Snakes on a Plain' for you? :laugh4::grin:

I'll see myself out now...