dumb question, probably

[spiffy_scimitar]

I've started a new campaign on Hard, Late Period, with the Byzantines. The troop that I previously fought against and found the most difficult to defeat was the Varangian Guard, so they're the ones I want to mass produce now.
My troop poster says I need a spearmaker's guild and a Royal Palace to build them... but I have both (from the outset of the campaign) but they dont appear in my build queue, nor are they written in any building description.

How do I build the Varangian guard?

[[RDH] Spetz Natz]

Are the Varangian guard a province-specific unit?
Or can any province within the Byz Emp train them?

Just wondering...this may or may not be the answer. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/frown.gif

[pdoan8]

In v1.1 (after the patch), they are only available in Early and High. There will be no VG in Late period campaign.

[spiffy_scimitar]

Gah, really? That must be it .. that bites. Already I'm gasping at the fact I don't have any decent horse killers (to fight them mongols up north), now I don't have any hard hitting infantry? gee whiz. This is gonna be tough.

[Dark Angel]

The way I found in this situation was to use the economic power of the Byz and bribe any army I liked the look of. Especially Mongols. Nice Hv Cav. Also use mercenaries wherever possible.

Best wishes and good luck.

[Kraxis]

Uhhh... Late Byz are possibly the hardest you can get.
No up to date cav
No up to date infantry
No anti-cav worth mentioning
No friends...
And lastly the deadly Turks and their Jannisaries to the east.

Yup, they are tough

The only other faction I can see as being as hard must be the Late Almohads.