Twitter discussion

[Moros]

Thank you very much! They look great! Nasty professional archer-spearmen, akin to the persian immortals of old! I´m quite curious about how saba will turn out in EB2, I had some nice fun with them in EB1 due to their unique playing style but it seems that EB2 its going even further, no native cavalry and lots of crazy archer spearmen! Seems deliciously insane I wonder how balanced they will be compared to other factions (though I gess it would make sense if they are very dependent on mercs and regionals if the player decides to go expantionist out of arabia).

Btw, when did arabs became so proeficient with swords as they will be in islamic times (I´m thinking about Broken Crescent´s Immanate of Oman for example)? I suppose that later than the EB timeframe?

There are some depictions of swords from ancient Yemen, but they appear to have been rare, though appear of high quality. However it is indeed Oman were most finds of swords have been made. These include medium and shorter swords, especially in older times, but also seem to have been influenced much by the persians and later especially the parthians/sassanids. By the later stage of our time period longswords weren't uncommon at sites such as Ed-dur and Mleiha. Phillip the Arab, the Roman emperor, has been depicted wearing a typical Arabian longsword, in which the hilt is angled. The latter thing seemed to have possibly also spread towards the West South Arabian cultures. The latter, especially the Hadramawt seemed to have been under great Indian influence as well.

The Sabaean Bodyguards will feature longswords. But as the spear seems to have been the most common weapon we chose it for both Khamis, of which dipictions mainly feature the spear and bow, and for the nobles unit. The Sabaeans did use mercenaries. Records show both recruitment from more northern and bedouin tribes and ethiopian tribes from across the sea. There is even evidence for a small standing and professional army of trained bedouins that was garrisoned at Maryab. Obviously we'll try to feature all these elements in future versions of EB. They will lack factional cavalry or camelry. But obviously they will be able to recruit those from their nomadic neighbours. We also have planned a special cavalry unit in the future to be recruited at Mleiha. One that shows hellenistic and Persian influence.

[LusitanianWolf]

(...)
The Sabaean Bodyguards will feature longswords. But as the spear seems to have been the most common weapon we chose it for both Khamis, of which dipictions mainly feature the spear and bow, and for the nobles unit(...)

Thank you for your extensive reply Moros! Its allways great to learn more! As expected Saba will be very interesting to play indeed (but I bet that can be said of all factions, at least on later releases). I'm quite happy to know that the Saba are going to have a different Bodyguard unit cause I though the Nobles were going to fill that role, but It allways great to know that they are going to have one more different elite (and certainly impressive looking) unit.

That's a bit strange. I expected some turbans. Is that just a fluke or has the unit's armour been upgraded? (Or maybe it's a reformed unit?)

And the unit cards seem reflected over the y axis.

I think you may be confusing them (the khamis, professional soldiers) with the nobles who were in the Arabia preview and are also archer-spearmen but with scale mail and some have red turbans. Awesome unit!
And I gess that one of the unit cards is a placeolder.


Meaningwhile, more great news!

A big thank you once again to sirtim for producing yet another fine Iberian province description: Carpetania - Brennus

Arevaci industry complex description finished. Governments aside, ALL the building descriptions for ALL the Celts are done! - Brennus

Thank you to Florianus for his art work depicting Gallic Argoi!

New, improved ponies for the British chariots and drivers depicted as Caesar described in De Bello Gallico - Tux

After much frustration, a breakthrough with settlements! In addition to Nomadic and Barbarian we now have our first Greek houses - Kull

Working to overcome technical problems. Siege battles and siege engines working for more settlements - V.T. Marvin

Discussing options for a unique Celtiberian government system with V.T. Marvin - Brennus

[Rex Somnorum]

And I gess that one of the unit cards is a placeolder.

Both of them, in fact. They each have red turbans. I'm not sure I'm comfortable with two very similar units for the same faction though. It seems like a waste of a slot. Perhaps if the nobles carried swords instead of spears, it would be worth it.

Is there any evidence to support a sword-armed unit? I know swords are status weapons in most societies, pre-Islamic Arabia included.

[LusitanianWolf]

Both of them, in fact. They each have red turbans. I'm not sure I'm comfortable with two very similar units for the same faction though. It seems like a waste of a slot. Perhaps if the nobles carried swords instead of spears, it would be worth it.

Then by the same reasoning all the hellenistic factions should have only one phalangitai unit, the steppe faction should only get one horse archer unit the romans should only get one gladius and scutum heavy infantry unit (no reforms, waste of slots), and the non hellenistic european factions should all get the same spear unit called "Barbarian Warband" since they are all a bunch of haf-naked crazies. Seems genious and then we would have free slots for Burning Pigs, Arcanii and Rocket launching Velociraptors.

[Rex Somnorum]

Then by the same reasoning all the hellenistic factions should have only one phalangitai unit, the steppe faction should only get one horse archer unit the romans should only get one gladius and scutum heavy infantry unit (no reforms, waste of slots), and the non hellenistic european factions should all get the same spear unit called "Barbarian Warband" since they are all a bunch of haf-naked crazies. Seems genious and then we would have free slots for Burning Pigs, Arcanii and Rocket launching Velociraptors.

Your objection would have validity if the game allowed an unlimited number of units and the Sabean army was as well documented as the Roman or Hellenistic militaries. Two practically identical units for the same faction are pointless unless the recruitment range/area or level/type of MIC differs.

@Moros

Thank you for the clarification.

[Ailfertes]

All Celtic, Celtiberian and Bosporan farm descriptions added to the game - V.T. Marvin

Concepting new units: Belgic Medium Cavalry - Brennus

Pretty excited about the last posts by the way. Fixing the sieges for the new walls was one of the major issues you guys were struggling with, IIRC. Also: these government systems clearly will be very unique and deep, seeing the amount of work there is put into them. And as a finishing thought: great that the settlements are continuously worked with. Though I guess this doesn't mean the 'Nomadic' and 'Barbarian' settlement buildings are finished?

[Ca Putt]

Did moros not just Point out that one of them IS going to use swords? I know the Argument still stands as this is about principles but in this particular case it's a legit decision.

[Brennus]

Though I guess this doesn't mean the 'Nomadic' and 'Barbarian' settlement buildings are finished?

Unfortunately they are still WIPs. However, from acorns mighty oaks.... or oppida.

[Moros]

Both of them, in fact. They each have red turbans. I'm not sure I'm comfortable with two very similar units for the same faction though. It seems like a waste of a slot. Perhaps if the nobles carried swords instead of spears, it would be worth it.

Is there any evidence to support a sword-armed unit? I know swords are status weapons in most societies, pre-Islamic Arabia included.

The Khamis wear leather/padded armour, simple conicle helmets, bows and small to medium round shields (early period)
The Bodyguards and Nobles wear much more fancy clothes and helmets, about half wear scale armour. Bodyguards have longswords and bows, nobles bows and spears. Then there are simply archers (representing the tribal levies) and light spearmen (representing the Sabaean shab specific militia). Those are the main factional units at the moment. Though Ethiopians and some nomadic units are already in as well, which significantly diversifies their armies.

Units that top the list for the Sabaeans for the future include nomadic infantry (light archer spearmen and axemen) and trained bedouins (medium axemen, possibly with javelins). Adding camelry and later also other more exotic Arabian units (such as persian-Hellenistic-Arabian lancers, East Arabian swordsmen, Hadramawt nobles, highland warriors,...). Possibly we'll have a late khamis unit as well. These should differ quite a bit from the current ones (medium swords and oblong shields are possible).

At this point only a small selection of units could be made. The most representative ones and important ones from every branch were chosen. Spear and bow were the gladius and pila of the Sabaean army, the Khamis their legionnaires.

a comparison:



(And yes the unit card for the Khamis is a placeholder at this instant)

[LusitanianWolf]

Hum, I'm curious about the unit in the background, ethiopian archers by any chance?

[Stath's]

Beautiful!!

[Moros]

Hum, I'm curious about the unit in the background, ethiopian archers by any chance?

I think Sabaean bodyguards, but its difficult to tell because of the size of the guys and picture quality.