Bang for the Buck

I'm fairly new (only 2 real campaigns so far), so I'd like to see some veterans' opinions on this . . .

Which units do you think are best for what you pay for them?
From what I've seen so far, Drapanai (251 upkeep) seem to be the best and most efficient (killing power vs upkeep) killers around in the non-elite category.

Similarly, it appears the Rhomphaiaphoroi (376 upkeep) would be the most efficient (killing power vs upkeep) elites around.

I haven't got around to doing much with cavalry, other than running the base-model scythian HA around (also a bargain @267 upkeep).


thoughts, anyone?




PS: I love what the mod has done with cavalry. They were WAY too powerful in vanilla, and WAY too cheap. thanks sooo much



EDIT: Funny, while I was typing, gurakshun posted almost the same thread.:laugh4: :laugh4:

I'm a big fan of classical hoplites. They are pretty good at whatever you want them to do (albeit no where near the best), but just a pretty good all-around-infantry unit.

Classical Hoplites, Militia Hoplites, Parthian HA, and any type of slinger.

omg you stole my thread! :furious3: :laugh4: :laugh4: :laugh4: :laugh4:

Persian Archers <-dirt cheap, low recruitment and the ability to take out nearly all light infantry before they given get to your lines.

A second is for the Iberian Caetratii

Yeah, I had forgotten about archers and slingers when I first posted. They are the cheapest. . . also pretty much ANY archers are death to my new favorite infantry (Drapanai), since they have no armor and no shield.

HA! Those sissy Tindanotae/Gaesatae with their shields, they're just wanna be crazy bastiges.

Ive been trying some out in custom battles after looking at the recruitment viewer, I have limited experience with Eastern units but Id say Drapanai for sure, if you upgrade their almost non-existent armour + 2 and heavy weapons +2 at a blacksmith and specific top-level Temples (Govannon in my case) they are even better.
From the recruitment viewer the best slingers look to be Eastern (bonus to elephants) closely followed by Iasoatae. Balearics do 1 more damage but have less range and ammo IIRC.
Scythian Riders? From the viewer they have good archery range, good harassers/ attention dividers and can also charge with an AP lance.

Thracian Levy spearmen have better stats than most levies I seen also.

I like the Komatai. They are Skirmishers but man, up close they sure can fight! and they are cheap.

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Originally Posted by iwwtf_az

I like the Komatai. They are Skirmishers but man, up close they sure can fight! and they are cheap.

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Komatai Epilektoi are just silly.

Only 60 soldiers (with Large settings) but also only 168 upkeep afair. With ~12 attack and ~21 defence, and Excellent morale. 8D

Strangely I find myself not using Komatai Epilektoi as it seems that their low numbers really take away some of the punch... I always use the Costobocii axemen as my flanker hitters or sometimes the simple Komatai or Drapanai...

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Originally Posted by Callicles

I'm a big fan of classical hoplites. They are pretty good at whatever you want them to do (albeit no where near the best), but just a pretty good all-around-infantry unit.

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They have my vote too.

Another unit from that line up would be the Peltastai. Not for throwing missles and run away, for that job they are definitly to expensive, but as flankers. They are also one of the few swordfighters for the Greeks and so get a bonus against the shortpike units.

An excellent unit of that class for the Celts are the axemen (Teceitos?).They are the only unit of line (305 upkeep) that have a decent armor. They have javelins to weaken their unproteced opponents while not suffering to much from their salvos, and with their axes they are even able to inflict heavy casualties to Neitos, Triarii, Hoplites and the like.

The "levy" class phalangites of the successor states are very cost-effective for what they're supposed to do: hold the line. They don't kill much at all, but they can stand their ground very long, even against super-elites if given arms upgrades and some battle experience. They're just what you need for a low-budget army capable of hammer & anvil tactics. They are also good for garrison duty, due to their large numbers.

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Originally Posted by MoROmeTe

Strangely I find myself not using Komatai Epilektoi as it seems that their low numbers really take away some of the punch... I always use the Costobocii axemen as my flanker hitters or sometimes the simple Komatai or Drapanai...

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With Large settings, I don't consider it to be that bad, especially since they don't form my main battle line anyway (the phalanx units do that for me), so they're more like flank guards/attackers, and for flanking purposes, the small unit size doesn't matter that much. Especially since the heavy (well, medium, more alike... ._.) cavalry is on its way to deliver the main/final/fatal blow against the enemy.

And, yeah, Hoplitai are about the best, most cost-effective unit. 330mnai/turn for a good, solid, high-morale defensive spear unit... They're just badass.

Most Getai units are really great. Mostly due to their weapon's high lethality. Komatai epilektoi, Drapanai, Romphaiphoroi, Thraikioi peltastai ...

They just rule.

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Originally Posted by Conqueror

The "levy" class phalangites of the successor states are very cost-effective for what they're supposed to do: hold the line.

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Agreed. They'll do the pin if you get something (melee infantry, cavalry, missiles, anything) to do the flank. And they're cheap, and they usually have wide recruitment zones from lower-end MICs. High lethality and attack/defense ratings win one-on-one pissing contests. Levy phalanxes in well-rounded armies win great big wars.

My vote goes to Persian Archer-Spearmen.

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Originally Posted by horst nordfink

My vote goes to Persian Archer-Spearmen.

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Seconded.