ptoly units

[machinor]

The Ptolemaioi have a fairly good early game troop selection with the various Machimoi units: phalangitai, standard machimois (light infantry) and cavalry. Machimoi cavalry is basically light to medium cavalry (comparable to Illyrian cavalry) with lances and AP axes for melee! very useful.
Good midgame units are the typical hellenistic combo of Klerouchoi Phalangitai as phalanx unit, Peltastai or Thureophoroi as flanker and Prodromoi as cavalry.
THE superb mid- to lategame-unit of the Ptolemaioi would be the Galatikoi Klerouchoi. Absolutely awesome heavy infantry with a fairly widespread AOR. Must have, especially if you're facing Seleukid heavy infantry.

[gamegeek2]

For the most part, the Seleukids have better units if they can train them...and they have the widest access to units. The Kleruchoi units are quite strong, though, though they can't make up for it all.

However, as a human player, you are much better than the AI...

[machinor]

Yes. Ptolemaioi elites are quite difficult to retrain farther away from home. In any case, Klerouchoi Phalangitai should be the bulk of Ptolemaioi armies since they are only slightly inferior to Pezhetairoi and widely available. It is true though that Seleukids have the comparatively better units. Especially in archery and elephants Seleukids kick Ptolemaioi butt.

[gamegeek2]

The Ptollies win out because of many competing states vying for Seleukid land, they have the best resources on their hands.

[Maion Maroneios]

Well, gamegeek2, in truth the Ptolemies got the shorter end of the stick in their wars against the Seleucids. Just pointing out what we historically know. Now the reason why the Ptolemaioi in EB get the upper hand (most of the times, it seems) is another subject whatsoever and has to do with the game, not facts per se.

Maion

[HunGeneral]

The Ptollies ..... have the best resources on their hands.

Yep thats sure.

The two things Ptolie has at the beginnig and the seleucids don't are a (more) stable economy + less fronts to fight at. Pluss they both have wide range of troops and many territories.

This alone can make the Ptolemies the greatest problem (at the start atleast) for the Seleuicds

[Kuningaz]

Yep, once you've taken out the Ptollies with the AS there's virtually no serious enemy around anymore (same thing to a lesser amount by taking out the romans with quarthadastim)

[HunGeneral]

Yep, once you've taken out the Ptollies with the AS there's virtually no serious enemy around anymore

Exactly.

Judging from comments (and some AARs) of other I quess many leave them alive just because of this even if it is possible to overrun thoose Pharohs in the first 10 - 20 years. Actually I myself am trying it in my current Seleucid campaign - I'd like to see how later Ptoli units can perform.

(same thing to a lesser amount by taking out the romans with quarthadastim)

Really?? I always thought once you defeat Rome the Hellenes or Celts start storming at you - but I'm far from sure. Never played much with Quarthadastim...