Favorite phalanx-based faction?

[retep219]

I wouldn't exactly call Pontos a phalanx based faction, though. More like a Persian-styled faction that has a couple phalanxes in its roster. Unlike,say Epeiros or Makedonia, one would not think of Pontos as being a faction that has an army that has to rely on phalanxes.

And Pontos really is a challenge, situated as it is on top of Arche Seleukeia. Make sure you are up to that challenge....I certainly found it far, far harder than Romani or Pahlava, don't know a thing about Getai. If you just want a traditional game with a faction that has phalanxes, Epeiros or Makedonia would probably be a better choice. If you want a totally different, very hard game, go with Pontos.

Epeiros and Makedonia are similar enough. Their early game is pretty different, which is due mostly to the famous elephants that allow for one-turn sieges as Epeiros. Makedonia's size doesn't really count for too much; I've looked at the AI Epeiros starting armies, and they look tough. Two elephant units, and plenty of phalanxes, if I recall correctly. Makedonia AI starting armies seem weaker. Especially because they sometimes end up fighting the Konion Hellion. (Not that I'd know how hard AI Epeiros is, I haven't actually played Makedonia). It's your choice when it comes to those two factions.

[A Terribly Harmful Name]

Epeiros, Epirote Heavy Cavalry is GOD: they have the punch of Hetairoi with the speed of Illyrioi Hippeis. More often than not all that super heavy cavalry is too slow and gets tired too quickly, which is lame, but as Epeiros you have probably the most maneuverable shock cavalry in the world. Even if they are still likely to underperform in 1 vs. 1 combat vs. catanks, they can quickly run away and strike at will. And they take forever to get tired too, increasing their longterm battle efficiency.

Otherwise, plenty of Illyrian and Thracian units to use, just like Makedonia. Since you have to conquer Makedonia at the start, your mid-game phalanx roster will probably not be very distinct from them. You can only recruit Pezhetairoi in Makedonian provinces at the start, but at least you get Elephantes Indikoi right off Ambrakia with a better MIC. And from the start, you also have much superior light cavalry forces ranging from Hippeis Tarantinoi to Illyrioi Hippeis, while still having access to the powerful Successor medium cavalry and heavy infantry roster.

Overall, Epeiros is a bit indistinct from Makedonia on the military composition - They have a bit of a local touch to their troops, but the distinctions are less than the similarities. On expansion, you can choose a much wider expansion based on the Mediterranean, and you also don't get much from "March of Time", so you're better off putting the Romaioi scum to death. That's what I plan to follow next in my campaign - with Italia in your hands, you'll be so wealthy that even the Seleukids will pose no problem.

[option]

Epeiros, Epirote Heavy Cavalry is GOD: they have the punch of Hetairoi with the speed of Illyrioi Hippeis. More often than not all that super heavy cavalry is too slow and gets tired too quickly, which is lame, but as Epeiros you have probably the most maneuverable shock cavalry in the world. Even if they are still likely to underperform in 1 vs. 1 combat vs. catanks, they can quickly run away and strike at will. And they take forever to get tired too, increasing their longterm battle efficiency.

Otherwise, plenty of Illyrian and Thracian units to use, just like Makedonia. Since you have to conquer Makedonia at the start, your mid-game phalanx roster will probably not be very distinct from them. You can only recruit Pezhetairoi in Makedonian provinces at the start, but at least you get Elephantes Indikoi right off Ambrakia with a better MIC. And from the start, you also have much superior light cavalry forces ranging from Hippeis Tarantinoi to Illyrioi Hippeis, while still having access to the powerful Successor medium cavalry and heavy infantry roster.

Overall, Epeiros is a bit indistinct from Makedonia on the military composition - They have a bit of a local touch to their troops, but the distinctions are less than the similarities. On expansion, you can choose a much wider expansion based on the Mediterranean, and you also don't get much from "March of Time", so you're better off putting the Romaioi scum to death. That's what I plan to follow next in my campaign - with Italia in your hands, you'll be so wealthy that even the Seleukids will pose no problem.

This. I too love the Molosson Agema, they're probably my favorite heavy cav in the game. Of the three phalanx-based campaigns I've played (Epeiros, Pontos, and AS), Epeiros has definitely been the most fun. I highly recommend them.

[Kevin]

Does anyone know how to edit a thread to have a poll. I think this one deserves to be one

[Apázlinemjó]

Does anyone know how to edit a thread to have a poll. I think this one deserves to be one

Uhmm, never tried on these forums, however if it's mechanism is similar to the ones I'm used too, then if you edit the first post, there you can add a poll too.

[Kevin]

Uhmm, never tried on these forums, however if it's mechanism is similar to the ones I'm used too, then if you edit the first post, there you can add a poll too.

nope that didn't work

[Torvus]

I almost always play a phalanx-based faction. Alexander had the right idea.
As for a good EB phalanx faction, I would say Makedonia or the Ptolemaioi. Ptolemaioi have the awesome heavy infantry mentioned earlier and the good successor selection of phalanx units but a lack of good cav besides the hetairoi.

Makedonia is essentially the basic Alexandrian phalanx army. they've got everything you need for a good phalanx battle. however, their selection of phalanx units is relatively narrow compared to the Diadochoi. they only have the levy, the pezhetairoi, and the agyraspides. you can count the hysterioi if you like, I generally don't. The Romani are too stupid to figure out the MOT most of the time for me.

[Kevin]

Epeiros and Makedonia are similar enough. Their early game is pretty different, which is due mostly to the famous elephants that allow for one-turn sieges as Epeiros. Makedonia's size doesn't really count for too much; I've looked at the AI Epeiros starting armies, and they look tough. Two elephant units, and plenty of phalanxes, if I recall correctly. Makedonia AI starting armies seem weaker. Especially because they sometimes end up fighting the Konion Hellion. (Not that I'd know how hard AI Epeiros is, I haven't actually played Makedonia). It's your choice when it comes to those two factions.

]

You're right about the Epeiros starting with stronger armies, especially the elephants and calvary units. What about late game? Which is more fun?

[athanaric]

Unless Baktria is in, I have to say Makedonia. Great units (best phalanxes on average, good cavalry and excellent specialist troops), badass colour theme, plus their position on the map enables them to fight any other faction should the need arise.

[Aemilius Paulus]

Definitely Eperios. It is in my sig too . Their location and flavour is much to my liking. They are an underdog faction which has no history of empires/great victories (Maks, KH) nor an empire in 272 BC, unlike the Ptolies and AS. I do not know why I cannot stand Makedonia, but for some reason, I simply cannot. Perhaps it is because of my urge to create very alternate history. Makedonians already had their day. I do not know, but for some reason, I strongly disliked and still avoid Makedonians.

Baktria is another good choice, but I loathe their location. Too empty, too little history (that I know of) in the Baktrian vicinity, too unfamiliar in general, too many archers and nomads, and too little variety in general. Same meaningless city, never-ending steppe/mountains, lack of defining geographical locations/features. And really, my main grievance with Baktria is that it is on the edge of the map, where the only real solution is endless AS grind with intermittent nomad walloping. Not like the exciting and varied battles of the Mediterranean.

Northern Mediterranian is my favourite, preferably in the centre, such as the Romani and Eperios. Pontus is meh, because of its Asiatic flavour (I do not like Eastern factions) and mostly the AS grind.

[Centurio Nixalsverdrus]

The part with "too little variety" in your statement on Baktria is really odd.

Epeiros sucks in the empire phase, because its government-types are not the best. They are too barbarian. They don't have the perfect mix of Hellen culture, ferocious strength and royal appeal like Makedonia.

[Aemilius Paulus]

The part with "too little variaty" in your statement on Baktria is really odd.

Sorry, I should have elaborated. What I meant was that there is too little variety in the enemies Baktria faces, the directions of its conquest (only west), the settlements (one meaningless AS town after another with same Pantodapoi Spearmen/Phalanx and archer spam), lack of defining geographical features (Mediterranean Sea with all its affiliate bodies of salt-water or even the Atlantic for example) - for Batria it is endless deserts, steppes, with a bit of mountains sprinkled in between.

And anyway, most of the other variety problems I have already mentioned. Baktria is a splendid nation in a lousy place. Unlike the hyper-central locations of Eperios, Makedonians, Koinon Hellenon, and even the Romani.

They are too barbarian.

Precisely why I like them. They are the ideal mix of "barbarian" and Hellenic in my personal opinion. Makedonia has strayed far from its wild roots, and after Alexandros and subsequent Diadochi, it is just another one of the many, with very little of its past days of a tribal culture. Eperios still retains the spirit of the fierce barbarian warriors, it is not yet corrupted with the "comforts" of "civilisation".

Just as the Aetolian and Achaean Leagues were when Romans arrived at Greece after the Second Punic War. Still retaining their fighting spirit, unlike the somewhat spoiled Makedonians and thrice more decadent Greeks, who all but abandoned their citizen militias in favour of mercenaries, the Qarthadastim way - which leads to a predictable ending of a loss. Even Hannibal knew this, which is why he chose to rely on regional indigenous recruits, mainly the Iberians, not independent mercenaries.

[moonburn]

kh cause soon enough you will discover the marvellous throkithai

[A Terribly Harmful Name]

Epeiros sucks in the empire phase, because its government-types are not the best. They are too barbarian. They don't have the perfect mix of Hellen culture, ferocious strength and royal appeal like Makedonia.

Actually, Epeirote government is quite good. Better than the Satrapeia-Hemi-Autonomos and its whooping public order penalties at level three, while at level II the bonuses fairly outweigh the public order malus. If anything all Epeirote governments provide better benefits than their Successor counterparts, regardless of the first time appearances.

"Royal appeal", I guess no one beats Pyrrhus here ;~p. Otherwise, the Epeirotes are a fairly "plain" Hellenic faction, which makes your remark about "barbarism" a bit far off, unless it's just plain old Athenian bias .

[satalexton]

O Fatherland of Glory,
Vergina sun shines bright!
Sons of Alexandros,
All Hail Makedonia!!!

Truth in Father Makedonia,
Home of Megas Alexandros!
Glorious shine of the Vergina Sun!
All Hail Makedonia!!!

[AqD]

Baktria is another good choice, but I loathe their location. Too empty, too little history (that I know of) in the Baktrian vicinity, too unfamiliar in general, too many archers and nomads, and too little variety in general. Same meaningless city, never-ending steppe/mountains, lack of defining geographical locations/features. And really, my main grievance with Baktria is that it is on the edge of the map, where the only real solution is endless AS grind with intermittent nomad walloping. Not like the exciting and varied battles of the Mediterranean.

bah! The Greeks in Bactria and beyond have much more and longer history than those in the west. They survived in a terribly hostile environment, built great cities, and spreaded the greek culture to Indians and Sakas, and they kept the war-like spirit! While the greeks and macedonains elsewhere became soft and fell under Romans and Parthians.

[Mister V]

The Arche, of course. The attacks on the eastern front are quite tiresome, but if you don't mind auto to avoid fighting every little skirmish, it's all right. And you have a pretty good basis for an empire. They've also got an excellent unit roster (love the Thorakitai Argyraspidai) and can quickly add the rich lands of Egypt to their domain.