Faction Descriptions readme
for the Medieval Mod IV for Total War: Viking Expansion
Note: Provencial bonuses subject to change
Statistical notes:
Statistical notes always refer to the base values of the referenced unit, thus:
+ 1 means that the unit has one more than the reference unit.
+ 1 valour means that the unit has +1 att., +1 def., and +2 morale (or honour) than the reference unit.
(off)ensive means the unit has one more attack, but one less defense than the reference unit. (def)ensive means the opposite. Arab units are often offensive compared to Catholic units, due to their hotter climates.
(un)arm. means that the unit has two more, or two less, defense and armour than the reference unit.
Morale, or Honour, chart: poor (2), fair (4), good (6), excellent (8)
(ch)arge chart: poor = 2; no lance = 4, or fair charge; light (lt.) lance = 6, or good, charge; heavy (hvy.) lance = 8, or irresistible, charge.
(BG) means that the unit is the bodyguard, or royal, unit for that era.
Units which have better than normal speed for their unit class are noted in their description. Units with small shields have better than average speed for their unit class, unless noted otherwise.
Offensive spearmen are 100-man units that carry a short, jabbing spear similar to that developed by the Zulus centuries later. It affords basically the same charge bonus as common spear units, and is much better offensively, but gives a poorer defense, and doesn’t allow supporting ranks. Their charge bonus versus cavalry is usually the same for both offense and defense. Currently there are two offensive spear units in the game, with the same stats: Bonnachts and Steppe Warriors. Compared to Feudal Sgts., they have +3 att., -2 def., small shields, no rank bonus, and bonuses vs cav. of 2 and 2.
Base units:
These are the reference units used in the descriptions below.
Primary stats are charge, attack, defense, armour and morale.
L, S and (n)one refer to shield size. L/n means not used in melee.
Poor, fair, average, good and excellent refer to speed.
Feudal Sgts.: 4,-1,1,2,2,L,fair
Chivalric Sgts.: 5, 0,1,2,4,L,fair
Pikemen: 5, 0,4,5,4,n,fair
Swiss Pikemen: 6,1,4,5,4,n,average
FMAA: 3, 3,2,2,2,L,average
CMAA: 4, 4,3,3,4,L,average
Hosp. Ft. Kn. 5, 5,4,4,6,L,average
Gallowglass: 6,*3,2,2,4,n,average
Halberdiers: 4,*3,3,4,2,n,poor
Swiss Halb.: 4,*4,3,3,4,n,average
Huscarles: 4,*3,3,3,4,L/n,average
Gothic Ft. Kn. 5,*3,4,4,8,L/n,average
Mtd. Sgts.: 6, 2,2,4,2,S,good
Mamluk Cav.: 6,*1,1,2,2,S,fast
Teutonic Sgts.: 6, 3,4,6,4,S,good
Gendarmes: 4, 3,5,7,4,S,fair
Feudal Kns.: 8, 3,4,6,8,S,fair
Chiv. Kns.: 8, 4,5,7,8,S,fair
Kns. Templar: 8, 4,4,6,8,S,fair
* armour piercing.
Muslim factions:
Muslim units are now 20-25% larger in size than Christian or Pagan units, and their units have generally been strengthened compared to the original game. In particular, some hybrid units, which refers to those units meant to be used for both ranged and melee combat, have lost their ranged ability due to the AI’s ineffective use of them. The Muslim factions now have at least one dedicated melee infantry unit for each era.
Almohads
The Almohads face somewhat of a dilemma in that they are faced with not only different types of enemies in the Spanish and Egyptians, but they face them on very different terrains. As the Christians are their primary enemy, they have adapted their forces primarily to confront the heavier forces of the Spanish and Aragonese on the plains of Spain, rather than the Egyptians on the deserts of North Africa. This is exemplified by their use of crossbows in the latter half of the era.
Early-
Saharan Cavalry- off. Mtd. Sgts. w/ no lance; fast; North Africa only; bonus in Cyrenicia
Berber Cavalry- Mtd. Sgts. w/ +1 att., +2 morale; fast; bonus in Morocco (BG) (re-name of Ghulam Cav. only)
Berber Camel Archers- Morocco to Cyrenicia only
Arab Infantry- off. FMAA w/ sm. shield; fast; bonus in Tunisia
African Spearmen- Feudal Sgts., w/ small shield; fast; North Africa only
Desert Archers- compound bows; fast; North Africa and Middle East only
High-
Saracen Hvy. Cavalry- Feudal Kns. w/ +1 att., -2 armour ; bonus in Algeria (BG) (re-name of Khwarazmian Cav. only)
Mtd. Crossbows; Iberia only; bonus in Cordoba
Pavise Crossbows; Iberia only
Almohad Urban Militia- CMAA; bonus in Granada
Abyssinian Guard- unarm. Huscarles; North Africa only; bonus in Egypt
Murabitin Infantry- Chiv. Sgts. w/ +1 def.
Egyptians
The Egyptians face the challenge of defeating Christian Crusaders while defending their empire against their Muslim brethren. Also, if they look to expand their empire north, they will run into the Byzantine Empire as well as the Turks, and be leaving their native desert for the hills and plains of Asia Minor. Their forces, adapted to the searing sun of the Sahara, wear little armour, with the exception of their Khwarazmian Cavalry. They developed their unique Handgunners in the Late era to help in dealing with the increasingly heavy armour of their adversaries as they expand out of the Sahara.
Early-
Bedouin Camel Warriors- Arabia, Syria and Sinai only; bonus in Arabia
Saharan Cavalry- off. Mtd. Sgts. w/ no lance; fast; North Africa only; bonus in Cyrenicia
Mamluk Horse Archers
Mamluk Cavalry; bonus in Sinai (BG)
Arab Infantry- off. FMAA w/ sm. shield; fast; bonus in Tunisia
African Spearmen- Chiv. Sgts., w/ small shield; good sp.; North Africa only
Desert Archers- compound bows; fast; North Africa and Middle East only
High-
Saracen Hvy. Cavalry- Feudal Kns. w/ +1 att., -2 armour ; bonus in Algeria (BG)
Saracen Infantry - CMAA w/ -1 def., sm. shield; fast; bonus in Jerusalem
Abyssinian Guard- unarm. Huscarles, no shield; North Africa only; bonus in Egypt
Murabitin Infantry - Chiv. Sgts. w/ +1 def.
Late-
Mamluk Handgunners
Turks
The Turks have pushed into Persia and Asia Minor due to their growing populations and the rise of the Mongols to the east. They face the task of carving out an empire from either the lands of the successors of the Romans, the Byzantines, or the successors of the Ancient Egyptians, the Mamluks. Though they fought many battles against the Egyptians (the Turks were on their way to battle the Egyptians when they had to change course to face the Byzantine army at Manzikert), they eventually found the Byzantines to be the weaker enemy, and their forces gradually adapted to the hills and plains of Asia Minor and the Balkans rather than the sands of the Middle East.
Early-
Turcoman Horse- unarm. Mtd. Sgts. w/ shortbows instead of lances
Ghulam Cav.- Mamluk Cav. w/ +1 def., no lance; bonus in Edessa (BG)
Ghazi Infantry- unarm. FMAA; fast; bonus in Anatolia
Seljuk Footmen- Chiv. Sgts., w/ sm. shield, good speed
Ghulam Archers- unarm. FMAA w/ compound bows, -1 att., sm. shield
High-
Armenian Heavy Cavalry- Feudal Kns. w/ -2 arm.; bonus in Armenia (BG)
Ottoman Infantry- FMAA w/ axes, -1 att., sm. shield; bonus in Anatolia
Azap Infantry- Feudal Sgts. w/ +1 valour
Pavise Arbalests
Late-
Sipahi of the Porte- Chiv. Kns. w/ no lance, disciplined, bonuses vs. cav of 1 and 1; bonus in Antioch (BG)
Janissary Swordsmen- off. CMAA; fast; bonus in Georgia
Janissary Infantry- now Swiss Pikemen
Janissary Hvy Inf- now Swiss Halbardiers; bonus in Rum
Christian factions:
Danes/Swedes
The descendents of the Vikings remain strong in infantry, but weak in other areas, especially cavalry. They will have to rely on their armour-piercing axes to carve out an empire, using their cavalry primarily to fend off the heavily-armoured knights of their neighbors.
Note: Historically, the Danes and Swedes adopted the same types of forces as those of their neighbors, which were built around the mounted knight. However, for gameplay purposes I wanted there to be a Catholic faction whose forces were built around blade infantry, much as the English are built around archer units and the Italians are built around spear and halberd units.
Early-
Hirden- Mtd. Sgts. w/ axes instead of lances, good morale, bonuses vs. cav of 1 and 2 (BG)
Svea Axemen- FMAA w/ axes, -1 att. & def.
Nordic Karls- FMAA w/ -1 valour; 100-man unit; bonus in Finland
Nordic Archers (new)
High-
Scandinavian Knights- Feudal Kns. (BG)
Mtd. Crossbows
Nordic Huscarles- Viking Huscarles; bonus in Sweden
Nordic Spearmen- Chiv. Sgts. w/ +1 def & att.; bonus in Norway
Arbalests
Late-
Armoured Hirden- arm. Hirden w/ ex. morale (BG)
Armoured Huscarles; bonus in Denmark
Nordic Longbowmen- FMAA w/ Mongol bows, axes, -1 valour, sm. shield, fair morale
English
The English forces gradually evolve in response to the superior heavy cavalry forces of their primary rival, the French. To this end, they develop potent archer units as the period progresses. In addition, they get an early, unarmoured form of Halbardiers in the Billman unit, and maintain adequate knights from Wessex and their French possessions. Their native spear units are quite poor, however, so care must be taken with both army composition and placement on the battlefield.
In addition, many English units are restricted to only a few provinces, so care must be taken when deciding which buildings to construct.
English knights can only be built in Wessex and their continental Homeland provinces.
Claymores and Gallowglaich can only be found in the rough terrain of Northumbria and Scotland.
Billmen are not available in Ireland or the rough terrain of Northumbria and Scotland.
English missile units cannot be recruited in Ireland or Scotland, as these superior units are the product of English culture, which shares many traits with French culture through the policies of their Norman conquerors.
The English, as well as the French, can hire Scottish Pikemen beginning in the High era. Though the Pikemen are of poorer quality than the units that developed later, they, like Billmen, can be an advantage in the High era, and may be the only option available to the English in the Late era.
Early-
Norman Knights- Feudal Kns. w/ +1 att.; Wessex and Cont. Europe; bonus in Normandy (BG)
Muntators- Mtd. Sgts. w/ javelins
Claymores- unarm. Gallowglaich; available in Northumbria and Scotland; Early only
English Archers- unarm. FMAA w/ compound bows, sm. shield, fair morale
Fyrdmen- Feudal Sgts. w/ +1 def.
High-
Kns. of St. George- Kns. Templar; Wessex and Cont. Europe; bonus in Aquitaine (BG)
Hobilars- Muntators w/ +1 valour
Billmen- unarm. Halbardiers; not available in Ireland, Northumbria or Scotland; bonus in Mercia
Gallowglaich- available in Northumbria and Scotland; bonus in Northumbria.
Early Longbows- FMAA w/ Mongol bows, -1 att., sm. shield, good morale
Scottish Pikemen- Pikes w/ -1 valour
Late-
Kns of Gascon- Chiv. Kns.; Wessex and Cont. Europe; bonus in Wessex (BG)
English MAA- CMAA (new)
Welsh Longbows- FMAA w/ Longbows, sm. shield, ex. morale; bonus in Wales
Flemish Pikemen- Swiss Pikemen; bonus in Flanders
French
The French are somewhat the “default” faction, in that they seem to the model that CA used to construct the Catholic factions' unit lineup. The French have perhaps the best heavy cavalry in all of Christendom, and France was where the very concept of Chivalry developed. To reflect this, their knight units are 25% larger than normal, at no extra cost. In addition, a region of France specializes in each mounted unit that the French field.
Also, if the French should conquer Scotland, they can hire Scottish Pikemen and Highlanders.
Early-
Destriders- Feudal Kns.; bonus in Anjou (BG)
Mtd. Sgts.; bonus in Brittany
Feudal MAA
Feudal Sgts. w/ +1 def.
Crossbows
High-
Chevaliers- Chiv. Kns.; bonus in Champagne (BG)
Militia Sgts.- Huscarles w/ -1 def., no shield
Scottish Pikemen- Pikes w/ -1 valour
Late-
Compagnies d'Ordonnance- Kns. Hospitaller; bonus in Burgundy (BG)
Gendarmes- bonus in Paris
Ordonnance MAA- Hosp. Ft. Kns
Voulgiers- Halbardiers
Partisans- Pikemen
German HRE
HRE generally has a very difficult position to hold onto, much less expand from, as there seems to be a hard-coded predisposition towards hostility built into all the other factions in the game. The HRE forces do get a boost in the Late era from their unique ability to hire Landsknecht buildable mercenaries. There are two Landsknecht units: Pikemen and Halberdiers. These units have better than average morale, and impressive stats, so an integrated force, when combined with the excellent German mounted units, can be a very potent army. They *are* mercenaries, however, so they cost somewhat more than regular units, though less than typical mercs.
Note: The German Homeland changes from era to era in order to align itself to the provinces which the HRE controls at the beginning of those eras. Thus, only units which appear in the Early era can be constructed in Provence, while units not available in the Late can never be built in Prussia. German troop types which don’t appear until the Late era cannot be built in Burgundy, Tyrolia or Switzerland, since those regions had declared their independence by this time.
Early-
Knechte- Feudal Kns.; bonus in Bavaria (reflects seat of power) (BG)
Dienstleute - Mounted Sgts.
Heerban- unarm. FMAA w/ axes; bonus in Franconia
Swabian Swordsmen- Gallowglaich w/ L/n shield; Swabia only, with a regional bonus there as well
Germanic Spearmen- Chiv. Sgts.
Archers
High-
Imperial Kns.- Chiv Kns.; bonus in Brandenburg (BG)
Imperial Sgts.- Mtd. Sgts. w/ +2 valour, bonus vs. cav of 1 and 1
Saxon MAA- Huscarles; bonus in Saxony
Gothic Sgts.- Feudal Sgts. w/ +2 valour
Pavise Arbalests
Late-
Gothic Kns.- bonus in Austria (reflects seat of power) (BG)
Bohemian Gentry- arm. Czeladz Bowmen
Gothic Ft. Kns.- bonus in Lorraine
Landsknecht Pikemen- arm. Pikemen
Landsknecht Halberdiers- Swiss Halbardiers
Hungarians
The Huns have a hybrid force of both Eastern and Western unit types, which reflects their struggles against both Muslim and Christian forces. With the rich commercial cities of Venice and Constantinople both within reach, along with the highly developed provinces of the HRE to the northwest, an Hungarian ruler must make his plans of conquest carefully, lest these powerful nations turn their might upon him before he can fully marshall his forces.
Note: The Poles and Hungarians have lost the ability to launch Crusades that was added for v1 of the mod.
Early-
Hungarian Nobles- Mtd. Sgts. w/ +1 def., good morale; bonus vs. cav of 1 att; bonus in Transylvania (BG)
Szekely- off. Mtd. Sgts. w/ compound bows, fair morale; fast; Transylvania only
Bulgarian Brigands- unarm. FMAA w/ Compound bows, axes, -1 att., sm. shield; bonus in Bulgaria
Jobbagy- unarm. Huscarles w/ poor morale, no shield; bonus in Croatia
Varjobbagy- off. Feudal Sgts.
High-
Bashtina- Feudal Kns. w/ good speed; bonus in Pannonia (BG)
Coursaroi- unarm. Teutonic Sgts. w/ +1 att.; Croatia and Serbia only; bonus in Serbia
Wallachian Infantry- FMAA w/ axes, -1 att., sm. shield (new)
Magyar Spearmen- Chiv. Sgts. w/ +1 def.;
Arbalests
Late-
Knights of the Banderium- Chivalric Kns.; bonus in Trans-Danubia (BG)
Cuman Horse Archers- arm. Szekely w/ axes; Moldavia and Wallachia only; bonus in Moldavia
Clipeati- Arm. Pikemen
Banderium Infantry- Halberdiers;
Venetians/Genoese/ Papists
The Italians are now split between two factions; the Venetians and the Genoese Confederacy. The exact ownership of provinces has yet to be decided.
Italian units are built to defend against attacks by their larger Christian neighbors, such as France and the HRE. This has lead to the development of superior spear units. Well-trained, versatile crossbow units are also a hallmark of Italian armies. In addition, the constant skirmishes and outright wars amongst the various city-states and confederacies has resulted in Contadina and Popolo militias that are stronger than normal.
On the negative side, the urban nature of the Italian power structure, built more around trade than feudalism, means that Italian nobles have not attained nor kept pace with the martial prowess and technological development of their Catholic peers. Italian success depends upon developing lucrative trade networks along the Mediterranean, and keeping control of the Alpine passes which control movement between Italy and the surrounding lands.
Italian bodyguard units are composed of the infantry forces that form the core of their armies, including the most expensive and powerful unit in the entire Middle Ages, Italian Heavy Infantry.
Early-
Contadina Cav.- Mtd. Sgts.
Contadina Inf.- unarm. Huscarles w/ poor morale, no shield; bonus in Verona
Ital. Lt. Inf.- Feudal Sgts. w/ +2 valour; 60-man unit; bonus in Tuscany (BG)
Italian Sailors- FMAA w/ Crossbows; bonus in Liguria
Pavisiers- Chiv. Sgts.
High-
Italian Nobles- Feudal Kns.
Popolo Cav.- Mtd. Sgts. w/ Crossbows instead of lances, fair morale
Carracio Guard- Chivalric MAA; bonus in Lombardy (BG)
Popolo Inf.- unarm. Halbardiers; bonus in Naples
Late-
Italian Hvy Inf- 60-man hybrid of Gothic Sgts. and Halbardiers, w/ stats of 6,3,5,5,8, AP, lg. shield, 1 supp. rank, bonuses vs. cav of 2 and 3; bonus in Venice (BG)
Condoterri- Swiss Halberdiers; bonus in Rome (Papist BG)
Italian Armoured Pikemen- Arm. Pikemen; bonus in Papal States
Poles
The Poles are a somewhat hybrid force as well, as they are caught between the heavy cavalry and crossbows of the HRE and Teutonic Order on the north and west, and the swift horse archers of the mighty Horde on the east. In response to these threats, the Poles develop a fairly unique blend of cavalry and supporting infantry. The Czeladz Knighthood develops superior mounts that can match either the heavy knights of the HRE, or the speed of the lighter steppe forces. Later on, the Dobrzyn crusader order develops to combat the cavalry threat from both the Order and the pagan Horde, as well as to help in the forced Christianization of the Baltic Coast provinces. If the Poles can make good use of their native infantry, plus regional units such as the Lithuanians, they should be in fine shape to rebound from the devastating Horde invasion, and perhaps set upon the road to building their own empire, with the addition of the Lithuanian crown in the Late era.
Note: The Poles and Hungarians have lost the ability to launch Crusades that was added for v1 of the mod. They also share many Homeland provinces, including their capitals, the only factions who do so.
Early-
Polish Retainers- Mtd. Sgts. w/ +1 valour, hvy. lance; bonus in Volhynia (BG)
Lithuanian Cavalry- Mtd. Sgts. w/ +1 def.; bonus vs. cav of 2 attack; bonus in Lithuania
Slavic Infantry- unarm. FMAA w/ -1 att., 100-man unit
Varjobbagy- off. Feudal Sgts.
Crossbows
High-
Czeladz - Chivalric Kns. (BG)
Czeladz Lancers- Teutonic Sgts.
Czeladz Bowmen- Mtd. Sgts. w/ crossbows instead of lances, and fair morale
Polish Militia- unarm. Halbardiers; bonus in Silesia
Polish Axemen- Gallowglaich w/ axes instead of swords
Mazovian Spearmen- Chiv. Sgts. w/ +1 def.;
Late-
Rycerz- Kns. Hospitaller (BG)
Knights of Dobrzyn- Gendarmes w/ bonuses vs. cav of 2 and 2; bonus in Poland
Rycerz Swordsmen- Hospitaller Ft. Kn.; bonus in Pomerania
Galician Pikemen- Pikemen
Sicilians
The Sicilians have perhaps the most unique army in all of Christendom, in that it employs significant numbers of Muslim troops in its repertoire, as well as Italian units and their own Sicilian Knights. Unfortunately, the Sicilians were absorbed by the Aragonese and Venetians by the Late era, though they did make an historical return to power after a peasant revolt in Sicily against their Aragonese masters, which became known as the Night of the Sicilian Vespers.
Note: Muslim troops are only available in Sicily, in addition to their Muslim Homelands, while the Sicilian knights can only be obtained in Sicily, Malta and Naples. Also note that the current use of the Sicilians as the Late-era Genoese Confederacy necessitated giving them access to Pavisiers and the Italian bodyguard units; however the player should ignore their availability when playing as the Sicilians if he wishes to remain true to the spirit of the game.
Early-
Sicilian Feudal Kns.- +1 att; Malta, Sicily and Naples only; bonus in (BG)
Saharan Cavalry- off. Mtd. Sgts. w/ no lance; fast; Sicily only
Contadina Inf.- unarm. Huscarles w/ poor morale, no shield; bonus in Tuscany
Italian Sailors- FMAA w/ crossbows, no shield; bonus in Genoa
African Spearmen- Chiv. Sgts., w/ sm. shield; good sp.; Sicily only
High-
Sicilian Chivalric Kns.- +1 att; Malta, Sicily and Naples only; bonus in Sicily (BG)
Popolo Cav.- Mtd. Sgts. w/ crossbows, no lance, +2 morale
Popolo Inf.- unarm. Halbardiers; bonus in Naples
Murabitin Inf.- Feudal Sgts. w/ +1 valour; Sicily only
Spanish/Aragonese
When the Medieval period begins, the Christian factions have been pushed into the northern highlands of the Iberian Peninsula by the Muslim invaders. The Early era covers the time when the Christians turned the tide of the war; the High era when the Almohad Empire collapsed due to losses and civil strife, and the Late era when the Christians set about consolidating their gains, including the initiation of the Inquisition, and began to expand outside of the Iberian Peninsula.
The Sp/Ar enjoy a price discount on their units, as this war was about ethnic and cultural survival, rather than plunder or political aspirations. The Spanish were a collection of small, fully militarized, provincial kingdoms during this time, and this is reflected in their troop types, whose names come from military orders as well as provinces not shown on the game map.
Note: Almughavars do not have a price discount, coming as they do after Spanish survival has been assured.
Early-
Bellatores- Feudal Kns.; bonus in Leon (BG)
Spanish Jinetes- Mtd. Sgts. w/ javs; fast
Saragossian Militia- def. FMAA (new)
Balearic Bowmen- unarm. FMAA w/ compound bows
Asturian Foot- Feudal Sgts.
High-
Kns. Calatrava- Kns. Templar; bonus in Aragon (BG)
Caballeros- Teutonic Sgts.; bonus in Valencia
Mtd. Crossbows; Iberia only; bonus in Cordoba
Catalan Militia Sgts.- Huscarles w/ -1 def., no shield; bonus in Portugal
Basque Inf.- Chiv. Sgts. w/ +1 def.; bonus in Navarre
Pavise Crossbows; Iberia only
Late-
Lancers- bonus in Old Castile (BG)
Andalusian Swordsmen- Hosp. Ft. Kns.; bonus in New Castile
Almughavars- Pikemen w/ +1 att.; bonus in Murcia
Byzantines
The Byzantines are unique in the game for several reasons: the professional nature of their armed forces, the extent to which they used foreign mercenaries, their geographical location, and their history, such as how they begin the High era having lost their capital province to a deceitful combination of hypocritical Crusaders and scheming trading rivals. Even though they were eventually able to recapture Constantinople, Byzantine power had been dealt a deadly blow, and the following years were simply the death throes of the empire.
Even though very capable units could have been raised or hired by the Byzantines, they were too crippled to make wide use of them. Though a start in the Early era gives you the opportunity to strike at your enemies before they can gain strength, later games will be a task of holding off the numerous aggressors around you, and then using your advanced units to grow your empire.
The Byzantines have access to perhaps more impressive units than any faction in the game, and most of their units are disciplined and elite, as befits their professional training. However, they are hampered from raising large numbers of these troops by the geographic restrictions of many native units, and the mercenary status of the heaviest units, whose armour and training are foreign to the ways of the East.
To represent the large amounts of mercenaries in the Byzantine armies, they are given the ability to build Inns in three of their Homeland's provinces: Constantinople, Bulgaria and Greece.
Bulgaria and Greece were chosen to represent the fact that most mercenaries hired were fellow Christians from Europe.
Note: Constantinople is considered a European province for purposes of unit availability.
Early-
Kataphraktoi- Feudal Kns. w/ axe instead of lance; bonus in Constan (BG)
Stratiotai- Byz. Lancers- Mtd. Sgts. w/ better speed &discipline; bonus in Crimea
Vardariots- Byz. Cav.- Mtd. Sgts. w/ shortbows, no lance, +1 att., +2 morale; bonus in Lesser Armenia
Vestiaritae- def. FMAA; bonus in Greece
Varangian Guard- Huscarles w/ good morale; 2 turns to build; Constan only
Psiloi- Trebizond archers- unarm. FMAA w/ compound bows, sm. shield; bonus in Trebizond
Hoplitai - Chiv. Sgts.
Naptha Throwers
High -
Pronoiai Allagion- bonus in Nicaea; Asia Minor only
Kontaratoi- off. Feudal Sgts. w/ +2 valour; bonus in Rhodes
Paramonai- Huscarles w/ +1 def., ex. morale; 2 turns to build; Europe only
Mourtatoi- FMAA w/ compound bows, only available in Asia Minor
Pavise Arbalests
Late -
Imperial Kavallarioi- Gothic Kns.; buildable mercs
Imperial Menavlatoi- Swiss Halberdiers; buildable mercs
Imperial Skutatoi- Swiss Pikemen; buildable mercs
Russians
Russian armies are characterized by noble cavalry, good spearmen and cheap but plentiful infantry. These forces can be even more powerful when combined with the horsemen of the Steppe. Also, their non-steppe, or western, Homelands; Muscovy, Novgorod, Livonia, Lithuania, Kiev and Moldavia, have the ability to produce western-style heavy infantry if it is needed to combat invading Catholic forces, while the Russian Dvors and Cossacks are designed to battle the Horde and attempt to re-take those lands which were lost to them in their devastating invasion. Historically, the Russians used Arquebusiers to finally drive off the weakened and fragmented Horde towards the end of the feudal age, and this is now reflected in the game.
Early-
Boyars- Feudal Kns. w/ mace instead of lance, -1 att., fair morale; good speed; bonus in Kiev (BG)
Lithuanian Cavalry- Mtd. Sgts. w/ +1 def.; bonus vs. cav of 2 attack; bonus in Lithuania
Russian Karls- unarm. FMAA w/ +1 att.; fast; western provinces
Steppe Warriors- Off. Spearmen (see statistical notes for stats)
Kop'ya Infantry- Feudal Sgts.
Archers
High-
Russian Retainers- Feudal Kns. w/ lt. lance, crossbow instead of shield; good speed; bonus in Smolensk (BG)
Russian Huscarles- western provinces
Steppe Swordsmen.- unarm. Gallowglaich; 100-man unit
Rogatina Infantry- Chiv. Sgts. w/ +1 def & att.; bonus in Novgorod
Pavise Crossbows
Late-
Russian Dvors- Gothic Kns. w/ good speed but -1 def and arm; bonus in Muscovy (BG)
Cossacks- Teutonic Sgts. w/ no lance, bonus vs. cav of +3 attack; bonus in Pereyaslavl
Berdyshi- Swiss Halberdiers w/ cav bonus of only +1 def. ; western provinces
Ratniki solva- Pikemen; western provinces
Arquebusiers
Golden Horde
Only two-third’s of the costs of assembling their units need be raised from their westernmost provinces, as they can draw on wealth, as well as men, from their vast Asian empire. These large units can also be assembled with less infrastructure than normal. Furthermore, the Horde has such an abundant supply of warriors that their units are 25% over-strength, just like the Muslim forces on their southern borders, and their reputation for terror and brutality gives them the power to cower and suppress the populations of their subjugated peoples.
High-
Mongol Heavy Cav.- Mtd. Sgts. w/ +2 valour (BG)
Mongol HA- Mtd. Sgts. w/ Mongol bows, +1 att., fair morale
Steppe Cav.- Mtd. Sgts. w/ +1 att., -1 def.; bonus in Volga-Bulgaria
Mongol Warriors- CMAA w/ Mongol bows, no shield
Chinese Infantry- Saracen Inf.
Chinese Mortars- same as plain version, but available one era earlier
Late-
Berdyshi- Halberdiers (from subjugated Steppe border provinces)
This finishes up the major factions.
Cumans, Early and High (to be implemented in version four)
The Cuman are a nomadic steppe people who gradually spread over southeastern Europe after the collapse of the Jewish Khazar Kingdom, which was destroyed by the Prince of Kiev in a trade war over control of the great rivers between the Black and Baltic Seas. There is still a small amount of trade traveling through Khazar, which, along with the fertile basins of its rivers, carries great potential for a ruler strong enough to consolidate the small, independent tribes of the region.
Historically, the Cuman were driven out of the steppes by the Mongols and into the Balkans, much as the Magyars before them. They then allied themselves with the Hungarians, but retained their nomadic way of life for many years before finally being integrated into Hungarian society.
Early-
Khazar Royal Cav- arm. Steppe Cav. w/ good morale; bonus in Khazar (BG)
Steppe Cav.- off. Mtd. Sgts.; bonus in Volga-Bulgaria
Steppe Warriors- Off. Spearmen (see statistical notes for stats)
Kop'ya Infantry- Feudal Sgts.
Archers
High-
Avar Nobles- Khazar R.C. w/ +1 valour; bonus in Chernigov (BG)
Steppe Hvy. Cav.- arm. Mtd. Sgts. w/ crossbow instead of lance
Steppe Swordsmen.- unarm. Gallowglaich; 100-man unit
Rogatina Infantry- Feudal Sgts. w/ +1 valour & att.; bonus in Novgorod
Pavise Arbalests
Late-
Cossacks- Gendarmes w/ bonus vs. cav of +3 attack; fast; bonus in Pereyaslavl (BG)
Cuman Horse Archers- arm. Szekely w/ axes; Moldavia and Wallachia only; bonus in Moldavia
British Isles- Irish, Welsh and Scots
The Welsh and Irish are both descended from Celtic tribes, and thus share some unique units. In the centuries immediately preceding the Early era, Irish settlers migrated to Scotland, and adopted some aspects of Scottish culture. All three factions gain access to more and more English units as time goes by, should any of them manage to survive that long.
Units restricted to one or two factions are denoted with an I, W or S.
Note: English provincial unit restrictions still apply here, meaning that missile units cannot be recruited in Ireland or Scotland. Therefore, Ireland can only produce dart and javelin units, while Scotland doesn’t have any native missile troops (Remember that these are minor factions, available for you to play with as you will, but not as well balanced as the major factions.)
Early-
Muntators- Mtd. Sgts. w/ javelins (BG)
Claymores- unarm. Gallowglaich; available in Northumbria and Scotland; Early only (S)
Highland Clansmen- Scotland only; bonus in Scotland
Kern- unarm. FMAA, no shield, javelins; fast; Ireland and Wales only (I&W)
Bonnachts- Off. Spearmen; Ireland and Wales only; bonus in Ireland (I&W) (see statistical notes for stats)
Irish Dartmen- Ireland only (I&S)
English Archers- unarm. Welsh w/ compound bows
Fyrdmen- Feudal Sgts.
High-
Hobilars- Muntators w/ +1 valour (BG)
Billmen- unarm. Halbardiers; not available in Ireland, Northumbria or Scotland; bonus in Mercia
Gallowglaich- available in Northumbria and Scotland; bonus in Northumbria.
Welsh Longbows- FMAA w/ -1 valour, Mongol bows; bonus in Wales
Scottish Pikemen- Pikes w/ -1 valour
Late-
Kns of Gascon- Chiv. Kns.; Wessex and Cont. Europe; bonus in Aquitaine (BG)
Eng Longbowmen- FMAA w/ Longbows; bonus in Wessex
Crusader States, High and Late
This faction contains the territories held by Crusaders at the start of the High era. These territories are Constantinople, Cyprus, Antioch and Tripoli.
Note: Constantinople is not in the State’s Homeland.
Note: Except for Tripoli, none of the region bonuses for this faction show up on the Strategic Map, as those regions also allot bonuses to units of other factions.
Note: Outremer cavalry units have two less armour than normal for European cavalry of their melee strength, though their defense is the same.
Early-
Outremer Sgts.- Feudal Kns. w/ lt. lance, good speed; bonus in Edessa
Turcopoles- 60-man unit, dismounts to Turcoman Archers; bonus in Lesser Armenia
Outremer Swordsmen- FMAA (new)
Outremer Spearmen- Feudal Sgts. w/ +1 attack; bonus in Cyprus
Pavise Crossbows (new)
High-
Outremer Kns Templar- Chiv. Kns.; bonus in Tripoli
Outremer Infantry- Italian Lt. Inf.; bonus in Syria
Late-
Outremer Kns. Hosp.- Chiv. Kns. w/ +1 att., good speed; bonus in Antioch
Outremer Ft. Kns.- Hosp. Ft. Kns.; bonus in Jerusalem
Teutonic Order, High and Late (to be implemented in version four)
The Middle East was not the only area where the Catholic Church sanctioned warfare against non-believers. After the failures and disappointments of the Second and Third Crusades, German nobles, as well as many from other countries in northern Europe, searched for areas closer to home in which to serve the Church and receive forgiveness for past sins. Thus was the Teutonic Order organized and dedicated to conquering and converting the pagan provinces along the eastern shores of the Baltic Sea. They first had success in conquering the areas around Livonia, and next they turned their attention towards Lithuania and Prussia. This also brought them into contact with the Russians and Poles, and helped create the circumstances which led to the merger of the Lithuanian and Polish crowns.
Note: the Order has access to some Early-era units to defend themselves with until they can get their provinces built up to produce the later units.
High-
Sword Brethren (BG) (new)
Hirden- Mamluk Cav. w/ no lance, good morale, bonus vs. cav of 1 and 2
Mtd. Crossbows
Nordic Karls- FMAA w/ -1 att. & def.; 100-man unit; bonus in Finland
Nordic Huscarles- bonus in Sweden
Nordic Spearmen- Feudal Sgts. w/ +1 valour & attack; bonus in Norway
Archers
Arbalests
Late-
Teutonic Kns. (BG)
Teutonic Sgts.
Order Ft. Kns.- Gothic Ft. Kns. (new)
Order Footmen- Pikemen (new)
Burgundians, Late; Flemish Pikemen; French units
Papacy- Italian units
Lithuanians, Early and High eras (E&H); Lith. Cav. BGs, Polish units otherwise.
Prussians, E&H;- Lith. Cav. BGs, Polish units otherwise.
Novgorods- Early only; Russian units and BGs
Serbians, all eras; Hungarian units; Coursaroi BGs
Georgians and Cilician Armenians, all eras; Byzantine units; Stratiotai BGs
Portuguese, and Basque, all eras; Spanish units; Bellatores BGs
