Thracian elites

[gurakshun]

Regarding these bad boys (thracian rhomphaiaphoroi), I feel that for the factions immediately in the area (KH, Makedon, Epeiros, Pontos, AS, Ptolemaioi, Hai, Getai, etc.) the awesomeness of this unit just dwarfs any other in the assault/shock infantry role.

Personally, I dont see a point to ANY of the other regionals, including the excellent Scordisci elites but they are just way overshadowed by the thracian elites. Almost every faction can recruit them with a level 4 regional mic (meaning just set up a level 3 government in one of the areas and start churning them out).

For the AS and Ptolemaiioi armies, there is no better unit than these guys for the flanks. For the Getai, this unit singlehandedly outshines most of the Getai foot roster. They will decimate all of KH's non-phalanx troops easily and even perform better than the fabled Hypaspists and Pheraspidai. Pontos will certainly make use of them in combination with the galatian wild men, almost an unbeatable combo on the flanks of their flanks.

The point i'm trying to make, is that for ever faction in the immediate area there is no reason to see anything but the thracian elites on the flanks in the most effective armies. I'm not too familiar with the history of these guys, but were they really THAT awesome that they beat any infantry in the world save for a select few?

READ: This is not a complaint, only asking for EB member's thought on how they wanted to implement such a unit.

[keravnos]

Trajan's Legions, some 100 years after EB's end date had to add armor layers in order to cope with the Rhomphaiaphoroi. They were quite nasty customers.

Once in a while a unit "pops out" that is so much better than anything else in its roster that makes you think..."Why the hell bother with anything else...?". Then some HA stack comes along/or golden apeleutheroi/rebels/ etc. and turns your silver chevron stack-of-doom into ashes.

EB is full of those moments. Enjoy them.

[Elthore]

guess its time to link this pic again!

http://www.larp.com/legioxx/falxcut2.jpg


(those legionaries with the cameras get funnier each time)

Thracian warriors were known for their ferocity and deadliness through history. They repelled the celtic invasion into greece, and resisted rome for a very long time. Even WAY into later times they controlled the area, including Constantinople which came under the rule of Thracian Kings(it was thracian to begin with)

These actions probably wouldn't have been done by lowly thracian raiders...im referring to the fellas who got cut down by light greek cav during the pelopennesian, but by the heavy falx wielding mofos like the guy above. Oh, and maybe by their renowned cavarly too...but still...


EDIT: this chop looks deadlier http://www.gk.ro/sarmizegetusa/ranistorum/site_eng/Images/falx_02.jpg

[mrtwisties]

I see how that works. It's like a cross between swinging and stabbing. All the muscle strength of a swing - all the penetrative power of a stab (well, for 15cm or so). It's genius. Why didn't more people use weapons like this?

[blank]

Those legionaries with cameras are indeed hilarious :beam:

"Hey Titus, look at what that barbarian is doing to our shield!"

"Hmm yeah... wait, i'll take a photo for the little lady back home... hey, hairy fat guy, can you do that again? I kinda missed it the first time. Thanks"

"Well i want a picture too then. OH FFS i ran out of **** film. Yeah of course, this is the perfect **** moment to run out of **** film. Does anyone have a spare camera or sth?"

*afterwards the legionaries pose with the barbarian while he's cleaving off a centurion's head*

[The General]

Does anyone know how much a falx like that weighs?

[J.Alco]

I thought that Falxes, while undoubtedly powerful, were never used in a widespread manner because to use it you basically had to say goodbye to a shield and in order to get a good cutting blow (you know, the kind that decapitates people) you had to swing the blade around to build up some kind of momentum, and that in turn would leave your torso absolutely exposed, which an opportunistic Legionary with a ready gladius would probably not hesitate to exploit.

[Folgore]

I've found that Thraikioi Romphaiophoroi are very susceptible to missile fire. It's probably because of their low shield value (1), so if the enemy fields a lot of skirmishers you're better off keeping them in reserve or they'll take large amounts of casualties.

[Pharnakes]

Anyway, I thought only Maks and Getai could have them?

[Bava]

Nope, KH are aible to recruit them, too.

[Folgore]

They're available under the level 4 factional MIC for Makedonia, Epeiros and Getai and they're available under the level 5 regional MIC for all other factions.

[CirdanDharix]

Epeiros can recruit them in level 5 factional MICs. I'm not sure they can build level 5 factional MICs in any provinces where they can recruit teh Thracian Elites, though.

EDIT: Folgore, you're sure it's level 4?

[geala]

In the (very nice) pictures you can see the weakness of the romphaion: if the scutum would be held correctly both strokes wouldn't have wounded the legionary. If he managed somehow to keep balance he could with ease strike at the arms or head or thrust into the belly of the Thracian.

The Thracians indeed were formidable foes for the Greeks, Macedons and Romans, but not only because of the romphaion.

I would say generally about such "performer" units: as the human player you don't need them and should use them with care, for the AI every good unit should be applauded. So I have no problem with such units. I like it every time when I see Gaesatae or other elite units as enemies (which is fortunately quite often the case in EB 1.0).

[Folgore]

Epeiros can recruit them in level 5 factional MICs. I'm not sure they can build level 5 factional MICs in any provinces where they can recruit teh Thracian Elites, though.

EDIT: Folgore, you're sure it's level 4?
That's what the recruitment viewer says.

https://img153.imageshack.us/img153/3976/thraromphjc3.jpg

[Pharnakes]

Sure, you can swarm them under with levies and mediocore units, but where's the fun in that?

[paullus]

those pictures are of the drepanon, not the rhomphaia. the rhomphaia is a slightly longer, straighter blade, and whoever asked about weight, I don't recall the exact kg, but they're heavy. the rhomphaia could be used as a sort of short pike phalanx, or as a sort of huge sword. thraikian rhomphaiaphoroi were very good soldiers, but as Getic FC, we might want to do a check on numbers or cost (I'm pretty happy with the stats). and that won't be an issue in EB2, because we can control frequency of elite units like these guys.

[brymht]

Another question for the historians: Didn't Rome use other Thracians besides the tribal levies and he elites? I would have thought they would have loved to recruit thier peltasts....