Quote Originally Posted by Aemilius Paulus View Post
I do not see all the hype over Numidians. They do not happen to use their spear overhand, do they? Because that basically kills the charge.
They use the spears underhand a la Leuce Epos. They're really pretty effective in an all-Numidian army when skirmishers function as your line infantry. Their charge is good, if not spectacular.

My personal favorite mercenaries are the Dunaminaca, Curepos, Samnites, Tindanotae, Cretans, and Thraikioi Prodromoi. I've also got a soft spot for Callacae Roscathreira, as they will sustain absolutely appalling casualties before they rout.

The only mercenaries that seem truly crappy to me are the Hippeis and Hippakontistai. I can use even Lucanian spermen in a pinch, but these cavalry units are only useful for chasing routers and intercepting enemy cavalry charges. After all, why would I want my Bataroas/Hoplitai to get pulverized by enemy horsemen? Hippeis do an admirable job at taking beatings.