Italian Recruitment Question

[antisocialmunky]

I'm wondering where the Romani can recruit the Lucianian(sp?) light infantry. I can't seem to find them in any of the Italian regions. Are they in an upper tier regional MIC?:no:

[CaesarAugustus]

They should be recruitable in the Arpi region as mercenaries or with a local MIC, I'm not sure what level, although I'm sure it's not upper tier.

[LordCurlyton]

Which faction are you trying to recruit with? I don't believe you can recruit non-mercenary ones as the Romans but I know at least Taras and Rhegion, plus probably Arpi and Capua. can get them at regional L2 I believe if you go as a non Roman faction. I rather like them, myself. Pretty darn spiffy light infantry.

[skuzzy]

If I recall their specs are almost indentical to Samnite infantry. Is the unit in solely for historical evidence that they existed or am I missing something. I must go look at the EB unit cards for my answer!

[antisocialmunky]

Huh, Samnite Infantry good you say? I've never actually used them, its a good thing to know for my future KH/Makedonia campaign.

[LordCurlyton]

Actually they will lose to Samnites. They are a light, fast, hard hitting light infantry, especially suited for chasing down pesky skirmishers (peltasti mostly I've found) or holding the line against light to medium infantry or cavalry, since they will give them a good account of themselves. Samnites are much more of a line infantry I've found, roughly comparable to Hastati, but more defensive minded due to their higher armor and lower attack. If you just recruit all the mercs in S Italy you get a nice balanced army (Hippeis + Smanite Spears +Samnite Milites + Phalanxes + Lucanians + Peltasti).

[Watchman]

The Samnitici Milites are pretty hardcore though. Around on par with the Dorkim Hatkafa Ibeerim and Pedites Extraordinarii, and around their home regions come with a free two chevrons of experience to boot. I tried an Epirote campaign once and found out hiring just one bunch right at the start pretty much lets you blitz the whole Southern Italy.

[LordCurlyton]

True. Samnite Milites are some pretty mean dudes. I haven't tested to see but it seems like they are statistically better than the Pedites Extraordinarii and slightly worse than the Iberian Assaults. Though I can't recall off the top of my head whether they have good or excellent morale, which would probably be the linchpin.

[Dyabedes of Aphrodisias]

The Samnitici Milites are pretty hardcore though. Around on par with the Dorkim Hatkafa Ibeerim and Pedites Extraordinarii, and around their home regions come with a free two chevrons of experience to boot. I tried an Epirote campaign once and found out hiring just one bunch right at the start pretty much lets you blitz the whole Southern Italy.
I never leave home without my Samnite Heavy Infantry. They're better than the Extraordinarii, and once you get them to silver chevrons, they give you an unmatched solid block of raw defence. Need to pen up some Royal Guard cavalry? Just block 'em up with the Samnites and let the Balearics and everybody else throw their stuff. The Samnites rarely take heavy casualties.

I assaulted a Carthaginian city, and in one tower I had my Samnites, and the other I had the Extraordinarii. I sat back for a bit and waited. I came back to see that both had encountered some Libyan Spearman; the Samnites were faring remarkably while my Extraordinarii were down to 2 men.

Now, I've made it a point to keep them with me at all times. I carry 2 Equites Extraordinarii, 3 Hastati, 3 Principes, 3 Triarii, 4 Samnite infantry, 2 Classical Hoplites, and 2 Balearic Slingers. I smash all.