Got Merked by Gauls as rome (*Gasp*)

[Reno Melitensis]

Well AlexanderSextus here is a tip. When using the Quincunx in EB ( use it because EB is a historical mod and we fight historically ) against Sweboz, Gauls, Getai and Lusutanni, the best way to absorb their charge is to remove the skirmish mode from the Velites. Put the Hastati on fire at will, when their missile are exhausted charge, repeat with Principes, retreat the Velites behind the Triari. Also the best way to began the battle is by moving the cavalry on the ale forward and deploy them behind the enemy. The AI will always move a unit or two away from the battle line, to your advantage. The Campani and Ligurians are good at harassing the enemy. For a good charge on the rear, Exraordinarii and the Equites Consulares rock, never charge with Equites Romani on their own, they are only good at running down the enemy.

Cheers.

[hoom]

I've found the Gauls to be a lot better than the Camillan Romans, honestly

I agree.
Once Gaul is unified, you get at least the first reform & you have managed to enslave at least one big town (see below re population), the Gaulish armies have an embarrasment of very strong infantry types including Solduri, Milnaht & Gaesatae.
Then you get Nietos after the 2nd reform too

For me the problem early is not even so much economy as population.
I play on Huge unit size & with Botroas/Bataroas being big units that tend to take fairly high casualties its quite easy to deplete the populations of your towns.

[Cullhwch]

A few enslavements of Arretium, Roma, and Capua will restore whatever population deficit you had faced. I like to keep the Romans around for a long time as a means of training my Aedui generals and giving them the Romaneitas and Romaneitha traits.