Faction strengths?

[Apázlinemjó]

Ptolies get better access to Egyptian (levies/mid tier), Galatian (assault swordsmen), and Ethiopian (fast mid tier units + Elephants) units, but are inferior otherwise.

Let's not forget the Klerouchikon Agema, the second strongest phalanx unit in the game and the Basilikon Agema, the heavy thorakitai, also they can get Kretikoi Toxotai as factional unit.


To Pontos: They are the jack of all trades in the game, but you can't use your full potential at the start of the game, if you are playing them, because you have to survive the Seleucids first.

[athanaric]

Let's not forget the Klerouchikon Agema, the second strongest phalanx unit in the game and the Basilikon Agema, the heavy thorakitai, also they can get Kretikoi Toxotai as factional unit.

The Klerouchikon Agema has exactly the same stats as the Argyraspides, and a smaller AoR.
Every faction can recruit factional Kretan Archers, if they control Kydonia, Antiocheia, or Alexandria. I've even recruited those guys with Casse, Swêboz, Saka, Hayasdan, and Sab'yn.

In fact, the small AoR of most of their units, especially the elites, is the biggest weakness of the Ptolemaioi, compared to other successors.

[Apázlinemjó]

The Klerouchikon Agema has exactly the same stats as the Argyraspides, and a smaller AoR.
Every faction can recruit factional Kretan Archers, if they control Kydonia, Antiocheia, or Alexandria. I've even recruited those guys with Casse, Swêboz, Saka, Hayasdan, and Sab'yn.

In fact, the small AoR of most of their units, especially the elites, is the biggest weakness of the Ptolemaioi, compared to other successors.

Ahh checked the EDU, you're right about the Agema, however what I wanted to say with Cretans, that you can train them almost at the start of the game with Ptolies and with Seleucids too.

EDIT: Nvm

As for the issue of cataphracts, I don't know what exactly you mean by that term, but Pontos does get the Kinsmen Heavy Cavalry. They're not true cataphracts, but are pretty close. They're recruitable in Amarvir with an MIC that Hayasdan will always build for you if you don't blitz them out of existence within the first fifteen or so years. And if you're worried about cavalry inferiority, get the Scythed Chariots. They shred non-cataphract cavalry, and if maneuvered correctly will put a dent in even the cataphracts, assuming that the cataphracts aren't allowed to charge.

Or you can get a cheaper and almost identical unit in stats, the Scythian Nobles. Also you can train Steppe Riders, who are excellent at wearing out the A.I. Cataphracts and after that it's a piece of cake to bring them down.

[IrishHitman]

Makedonia's strength is that you can deploy a proper combined arms army without being distracted with random regional troops that generally don't fit such a strategy.

I've never played with the Ptolemaic or Seleucid kingdoms for any real period of time, because while they have some pretty fun units, they simply don't fit my military strategy.

[abou]

I think you guys are focusing too much on the military and not everything else about gameplay - starting positions, economy, location, etc. The Seleukids may be able to build up the best military, but their starting position means that they can't really utilize such a military right away.

[ziegenpeter]

And they will never have the best available units in ONE army, because it would be very cumbersome to gather them from all over the empire.

[Alien of Germania]

You are all forgeting Baktria, Im playing Seleucids at the moment after an amazing campaign as Baktria and I found Baktria the more stronger and richest concerning unit recruitment comparing to other factions in general.