So I've finally gotten round to playing the age old ememies, and I must admit I'm actually liking it. I took Taras and Rhegion (as you do) fairly quickly and I am now preparing for my Po Valley campaign.

So anyhow I've been wondering, If I've got the cash for it, why bother with the maniple? I don't think I need Hastati, why shouldn't I just raise loads of Principes with back up triarii? Hastati and Principes do an almost identical job, but the latter do it better. It may hurt roleplay aspects, but for now I just want to kill things , does hastati offer any battlefield role Principes can't do better?

Anyhow, thoughts?