Terrae Expugnandae 5.0

Here it is, the 2nd preview of the upcoming 5.0 version of my mod.

First off, a progress report. Beta testing is helping to eliminate all of the bugs, with only a few remaining, mainly to do with missing unit cards, which i am about to start work on. I can now give an estimated release date of around a month, but this can change.

Now, onto the main part of the preview, detailing the transformation of Egypt into....

Ptolemaios

That's right, i've turned Egypt into a much more historically accurate version of the faction, though they will still keep the Egyptian style buildins on the cmapaign map and battle map as it adds more variety. They will also keep the Egyptian names, but get Greek portraits.

Unit list:

Ptolemaios will keep a couple of the Egyptian units, but will be getting lots of unique units.

Nubian Spearmen
https://img161.imageshack.us/img161/...rmen2ez.th.jpg

These militia-like soldiers can fight in harsh conditions and they are cheap defensive troops for the Pharaoh's armies. Armed with a long, thrusting spear and a large wooden shield, these men are primarily defensive and can hold their own against cavalry. However, they can also be formed into phalanxes and sent against other infantry. Their lack of training and armour means that they should not be used to attack armoured or elite troops.

Machimoi Phalangitai
https://img366.imageshack.us/img366/...itai8ye.th.jpg

As war approaches, peasants, farmers and down-at-heel townsfolk can find themselves pressed into service as pikemen by their rulers. Due to their lack of armour they are best used as defensive infantry, absorbing enemy attacks, or screening the flanks of the main line.Equipped with a long pike some 6m in length (the sarissa) many ranks can bring their weapons to bear on an enemy, presenting a bristling array of spearheads to an approaching foe. They also carry swords for use when the enemy breaks through the pike line.

Elliniki Phalanx
https://img366.imageshack.us/img366/...lanx8jx.th.jpg

Elliniki Phalanx form the backbone of Ptolemaios battle lines. In phalanx formation these troops can be used to pin the enemy line in place, while mobile forces wheel around the flanks to deliver a decisive blow. The Elliniki Phalanx are drawn from families with decent resources, as these men need to provide leather cuirass armour and a metal helmet for protection. Elliniki Phalanx carry a small shield strapped to the left arm, leaving both hands free to brandish a lengthy pike (the sarissa). Gripped in both hands above the head up to five ranks’ worth of pikes can be aimed at the enemy. Men in rows further back hold their pikes at a 45 degree angle, creating a shield to ward off enemy arrows. All Elliniki Phalanx also have short swords.

Basilikon Agema
https://img143.imageshack.us/img143/...gema6rz.th.jpg

Basilikon Agema are an elite guard unit in the Ptolemaios army. Because of the situation Ptolemaios is in, it has created several elite units to fulfill its needs. Armoured in chainmail, with the thureos shield and the sarissa long pike, they are able to take on most enemies. Often used as the guard of the Royal Palace, they are part of the Royal Guard, and as such are some of the best troops Ptolemaios can recruit.

Klereuchoi Phoura
https://img366.imageshack.us/img366/...oura7an.th.jpg

Klereuchoi Phroura are the elite of the Ptolemaois forces. When Alexanders Empire split into the Diadochi, Macedon and the Seleucids got all of the Hypaspistai, so Ptolemaics had to create their own elite unit. Armed with the Sarissa spear, and armoured with a bronze cuirass, greaves, thracian style helm and hoplon shield, the Klereuchoi Phroura is drawn from the upper echelons of Ptolemaic society, and are renowned in combat. They fight in the macedonian phalanx style.

Peltastai
https://img143.imageshack.us/img143/...stai6al.th.jpg

Greek Peltastai advance at speed to pepper an enemy with javelins, and then withdraw in good order before a counter-attack can be organised. They are skirmishers and it is their task to harass and disrupt enemy units before the main battle lines clash. They are also adept at staging tactical ambushes. Peltastai are equipped with a clutch of javelins, a sword and a light shield, the pelte, which gives them their name as 'pelte-bearers'. They wear no other armour, and rely on speed as the best form of protection, and this isn't much protection should they be caught by cavalry.

Toxotai
https://img366.imageshack.us/img366/...otai7jm.th.jpg

Toxotai are rightly feared for the casualties they can inflict, but they are vulnerable in hand-to-hand combat. They are drawn from the peasant classes of all societies, as these are the people who need to be skilled hunters in order to survive. Learning to use a bow well is something that takes a lifetime and constant practice, and putting food on the table provides good practice. They are best used to weaken enemy formations, or placed in a spot where they can retreat and find protection from other troops.

Prodomoi
https://img143.imageshack.us/img143/...omoi8yh.th.jpg

Prodomoi are fast moving horsemen armed with spears for maximum impact in a charge. They are not heavily armoured, and do not have shields for protection, relying instead on the old maxim of 'speed is armour' for protection. As a result, they are best used as a hit-and-run force, rather than as soldiers who can indulge in hand-to-hand combat. That said, they are excellent for breaking up skirmishers, attacking lighter infantry such as missile troops and pursuing already broken enemies to prevent them rallying and rejoining a battle.

Machimoi Cavalry
https://img366.imageshack.us/img366/...alry3ap.th.jpg

Machimoi Cavalry are armoured spear-armed horsemen capable of delivering a decisive blow. They wear armour and carry swords but do not have shields, so they are not necessarily at their best in prolonged close combat. However, when used to repeatedly charge enemy units they can have a tremendous cumulative effect.

Hetairoi
https://img143.imageshack.us/img143/...iroi4wm.th.jpg

Hetairoi are a social and military elite, and fight as heavy cavalry using shock and mass to break enemy units. They are the direct heirs to the Companions of Alexander the Great and his father, Philip of Macedon, and they revel in this proud heritage. The Hetairoi ride the best horses and have the finest armour available; each is armed with a good lance and a sword for close combat. As heavy cavalry they can be a decisive arm of battle, and are able to charge down many opponents. They are best used as shock cavalry to break wavering enemy formations, but do need to be careful - as with all cavalry - when attacking spearmen. Bravery is of little use when galloping straight onto a row of gleaming spear points! Traditionally these men would be given land grants after great victories, giving them a personal stake in the battle's outcome.

Basilikoi Hippeis
https://img366.imageshack.us/img366/...peis9qb.th.jpg

This general has a bodyguard of loyal spear-armed and armoured cavalry to accompany him onto the field. Armed with spears, these men are shock cavalry, able to deliver a devastating charge attack; they are then well trained enough to fight effectively in continued hand-to-hand combat, even though they do not carry shields. Like all general's guards, this unit is best committed to the fight at the point of crisis, when the general's inspirational leadership and the combat power of his men can tip the balance.

And here are some pics of Ptolemaios fighting the Seleucids:
https://img366.imageshack.us/img366/...tle15en.th.jpg https://img366.imageshack.us/img366/...tle25tl.th.jpg

All skins for Ptolemaios done by me, and all new models. A big thanks to SARMATIAN LEADER for his help with the unit names, and the Europa Barbarorum team for the use of some of their unit names.

Terrae Expugnandae 5.0 - Preview 2