Poll: Your favourite Bodyguard Unit

[athanaric]

Here you can vote for your favourite bodyguard unit in EB, including both late and reformed ones.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

And yes, this is the first poll of this kind, I've done a forum search.

I'd like you to cast three votes (can't figure out how to limit them).

[antisocialmunky]

Baktrian Companion Cataphracts.

[Seneca]

Why did you leave out the Spartiatai Hoplitai?

[athanaric]

Um, because they are not a regular bodyguard. Also, because I forgot them. Maybe we should make a poll with favourite merc/scripted generals?

[Malagriculus]

Why did you leave out the Spartiatai Hoplitai?

AFAIK they are no regular Bodygard Unit. They seem to be pre-placed for the Spartan KH-Generals at the beginning of the campaign. Later Spartans get the standard Somatophylakes, as far as i have experienced it.

...oh, btw, Xanthippos gets Spartiatai too, doesn't he?

[athanaric]

...oh, btw, Xanthippos gets Spartiatai too, doesn't he?

He does.

[XSamatan]

Baktrian Companion Cataphracts.

FTW

Second is Brihentin, as IMHO they have a good melee standing quality

Third is Cidainh, used right on open field, they are a good support

XSamatan

[Tollheit]

Cidainh, Spatahaura Hadabara and Giborei haMelek, in that order.

Cidainh are actually one of two main reasons why I love the Casse (the other being their FM's druidic battle surgery).

Spatahaura Hadabara, strikingly beautiful and the best archery unit in the game.
I am actually sorry when they get replaced by Sahiya Hadabara, so I made Saka Armored Nobles recruitable in Saka Yabgu, Sai Yavuga and Gava Haomavarga after the March of Time event, for an increased price.

Giborei haMelek, truly indispensable for Saba, featuring a stylish mail tunic and javelins.

[WinsingtonIII]

Third is Cidainh, used right on open field, they are a good support

Definitely. They run right through units knocking them about, and they are also the only bodyguard that scares enemy units.

I had to vote for Baktrian Hetairoi Kataphraktoi as the best though, it's impossible to deny them that.

I also voted for the Epeirote version of the Somatophylakes Strategou, because I believe they are faster, more maneuverable, and more versatile than their Makedonian counterparts. Although, of course, they wear less armor.

[athanaric]

One of my major gripes with reformed Sakas, Parthians, and Armenians, as well as with Sab'yn guys, is that they have no banner-bearer, making the general an easier target in a charge.
By contrast, Equites Consulares and Brihentin actually have two guys in front of your general, which means better protection, althogh these are probably the least spectacular bodyguard units.

Still, my favourites are reformed Baktrians and Sakas, together with the Swêboz guys. These units combine great melee strength with great looks.

[HunGeneral]

Sauromatae Bodyguards: best cavalry out there (being nomads doesn't make it that suprising - first class heavy horse archers and lancers...)

Saka late - the same except they don't carry bows...

Bactrian late Bodygurads - more dangerous then nomadic bodyguards (pluss theve got more armor on then a T-34!) - fear them and bring some AP weapons.

[Cute Wolf]

First is Hetairoi Kataphraktoi, the best man per man fighter in the game!!! They are purely awesome, and one unit of them could be relied to charge enemy flank, and turn the tide of battle...

The second fave is Sahiya Hadabara... because their armour looks sooo coooollll!!!!! Even they was actually didn't as effective as Pahlavan late bodyguards, they are better in terms of their maces!

The Third.... you will be surpried! The Longhair companions of the Sweboz!!! They are really made to become ultimate assault unit! comes in free of charge! and almost supperior to everything except TAB, Dubosaverlakika, and certainly 2 Hp Gaesatae and Tindanotae... if they had 2 HP.... uuuuggghhh!

[Rahwana]

1) Xoxenthosez Xazdadoi: The true warriors out there in EB wolrd! They are not the best unit in terms of power, but they are still very good, and ideal to be used as exemplary assault troops! lead their men to victory... or glorious defeat... These men can chew everything thrown at them, no matter how hard!

2) Giborai Hamelek: The reason I give the second honor to them, rather than KH bodyguards are simple... they are not a heavily defensive infantry, but they are capable to be used as challenging bodyguard unit! They are master of none, but still good jack of all infantry trades! could be used as improvised skirmishers, speedy enough to substitute light infantry, and yet could be commited to hold the line as heavy infantry!

3) Chidainh: Chariots are awesome to scare enemy away... too bad, no elephant bodyguards in EB

[seienchin]

I love the baktrian early bodyguards. They look cool and are vital in the campain. Their later Bodyguards are too strong. They are like a gimmick unit in Vanilla in my eyes. Cool to use but somewhat displaced in a historical game.

[A Very Super Market]

I suppose you don't dare touch the Pahlava.

[Unintended BM]

The KH bodyguards are my favorite. They help a lot at the start.

Also, Sauromatae's bodyguard is really good too. I've never really played a game with them before, but fighting them is really annoying. I beat the entire army, and somehow their bodyguard unit beats the crap out of me after they already lost.

[Tristuskhan]

Nomadic mercenary general... Not included in this poll. Kickass horse-archers with very decent charge and -most important- high numbers. 60 bodyguards in large is awesome.

[athanaric]

I love the baktrian early bodyguards. They look cool and are vital in the campain. Their later Bodyguards are too strong. They are like a gimmick unit in Vanilla in my eyes. Cool to use but somewhat displaced in a historical game.

I'm sure the team had a reason for including them...


e: I'm surprised at seeing the Cidainh being so popular - after all, they also get the most "hate" of all bodyguards.

[HunGeneral]

Also, Sauromatae's bodyguard is really good too. I've never really played a game with them before, but fighting them is really annoying. I beat the entire army, and somehow their bodyguard unit beats the crap out of me after they already lost.

I think thats what most nomadic bodyguard units are for... - seriously if used right thoose guys can kill 3-4 unit armies on there own. The AI however doesn't use them right alot.

[Centurio Nixalsverdrus]

Hetairoi. They are ideal, having better stamina than Kataphraktoi, and are less vulnerable than Epeirote Molossian Agema or even anything more to the west.

I generally loathe foot bodyguards. The worst of them are the Sabean Gibborai guys, they die like flies and are no opposition to generally everyone who can hold a spear or sword, and they are born victims to missile fire and any decent cavalry.

[WinsingtonIII]

e: I'm surprised at seeing the Cidainh being so popular - after all, they also get the most "hate" of all bodyguards.

They're a "love them or hate them" unit. I personally love them and think they are very effective when used properly (read as: keep them moving and never let them bog down in melee) and they scare the enemy. But some players hate them, because if you do let them get involved in melee, they die like flies. Keep them moving, however, and you're easily going to see kill ratios of 250 kills for 15 deaths.

[retep219]

I'll agree with Winsington. I've just completed a Casse campaign--Cidanh were easily the best unit I ever used. After a period of time, I had Barae (Starting king) running around with double gold chevrons shredding cavalry-man he saw and routing armies of infantry. Seriously, once I charged and ran through a unit of Tarabostes (Best Getai cavalry--they had full stength) with him and some other general (Both understrength) and, within less than thirty seconds, ALL the Tarabostes had died. Cidanh also carry ~25 javelins, so they can really harass enemy infantry as well. In addition to that, they're extraordinarily good at general-killing--they'll tear any non-steppe cavalry general to pieces. And if you're off fighting cataphract generals as Casse...well....something strange must be happening. But anything else...well...Aedui/Arveni can't do a thing, and I've seen them trash even Sacred Band, let alone the Hellinistic bodyguards. Oh, and in case one is worried about the missle weakness, a chariot charge will route almost any skirmisher unit in the game (Up to Komatai, and often Peltastai, but not the other elite skirmishers). Really, as long as they are moving, they will remain alive.

Cidanh hate probably comes because they are so different from any other cavalry units--I mean, I could imagine someone playing Cidanh in the same way as, say, steppe or even Hellinistic bodyguards and failing miserably. They have to be kept in reserve to either fight cavalry, and, after the enemy general is safely dead (Not to hard with Cidanh) use them in a final, crushing charge that WILL rout the enemy army.

[Cute Wolf]

I generally loathe foot bodyguards. The worst of them are the Sabean Gibborai guys, they die like flies and are no opposition to generally everyone who can hold a spear or sword, and they are born victims to missile fire and any decent cavalry.

Foot bodyguards aren't exactly the elite hit and run units, they are elite reserve that best used to command from the back, or act as exemplary assault troops (KH Being the exception, because they have no swords)

[satalexton]

I'll agree with Winsington. I've just completed a Casse campaign--Cidanh were easily the best unit I ever used. After a period of time, I had Barae (Starting king) running around with double gold chevrons shredding cavalry-man he saw and routing armies of infantry. Seriously, once I charged and ran through a unit of Tarabostes (Best Getai cavalry--they had full stength) with him and some other general (Both understrength) and, within less than thirty seconds, ALL the Tarabostes had died. Cidanh also carry ~25 javelins, so they can really harass enemy infantry as well. In addition to that, they're extraordinarily good at general-killing--they'll tear any non-steppe cavalry general to pieces. And if you're off fighting cataphract generals as Casse...well....something strange must be happening. But anything else...well...Aedui/Arveni can't do a thing, and I've seen them trash even Sacred Band, let alone the Hellinistic bodyguards. Oh, and in case one is worried about the missle weakness, a chariot charge will route almost any skirmisher unit in the game (Up to Komatai, and often Peltastai, but not the other elite skirmishers). Really, as long as they are moving, they will remain alive.

Cidanh hate probably comes because they are so different from any other cavalry units--I mean, I could imagine someone playing Cidanh in the same way as, say, steppe or even Hellinistic bodyguards and failing miserably. They have to be kept in reserve to either fight cavalry, and, after the enemy general is safely dead (Not to hard with Cidanh) use them in a final, crushing charge that WILL rout the enemy army.

How bout a chariot-using guide?

[Smelly Jelly]

I voted the KH and Sweboz bodyguard unit, because they're on foot. I like that for roleplaying, and it's handy at the early sieges. Usually they're first to enter the besieged city.

I also voted "all of them" because i rarely don't have a FM leading my armies.

BTW, this is my first post and I've only been playing RTW for about a month. Tried vanilla, immediately went to look for good mods. I tried XGM, which i also liked, but EB gives a superior game-experience i feel. So... thanks!

[Ibrahim]

I prefer heavy cavalry bodyguards-so I picked Somatophylakes (AS, ptolies), Pahlavan late guards, and hetairoi kataphraktoi.

[Apázlinemjó]

I'll agree with Winsington. I've just completed a Casse campaign--Cidanh were easily the best unit I ever used. After a period of time, I had Barae (Starting king) running around with double gold chevrons shredding cavalry-man he saw and routing armies of infantry. Seriously, once I charged and ran through a unit of Tarabostes (Best Getai cavalry--they had full stength) with him and some other general (Both understrength) and, within less than thirty seconds, ALL the Tarabostes had died. Cidanh also carry ~25 javelins, so they can really harass enemy infantry as well. In addition to that, they're extraordinarily good at general-killing--they'll tear any non-steppe cavalry general to pieces. And if you're off fighting cataphract generals as Casse...well....something strange must be happening. But anything else...well...Aedui/Arveni can't do a thing, and I've seen them trash even Sacred Band, let alone the Hellinistic bodyguards. Oh, and in case one is worried about the missle weakness, a chariot charge will route almost any skirmisher unit in the game (Up to Komatai, and often Peltastai, but not the other elite skirmishers). Really, as long as they are moving, they will remain alive.

Cidanh hate probably comes because they are so different from any other cavalry units--I mean, I could imagine someone playing Cidanh in the same way as, say, steppe or even Hellinistic bodyguards and failing miserably. They have to be kept in reserve to either fight cavalry, and, after the enemy general is safely dead (Not to hard with Cidanh) use them in a final, crushing charge that WILL rout the enemy army.

Same with scythed chariots, if you know how to use them they can make even the cataphracts look like plastic toys.

[Duguntz]

I must say :

1st are the Sweboz bodygrards. For combat reason, as they're infantry killing machine, and as they also carry spear, they hold theyr ground really good against cav.

Rolaplaying! there is no more joyfull event in the game than to lead them into battle from the center position of the first line and beat the crap out the ennemy!

2nd : Saka early boduguard. They're Tanks! A bloody 42 (or so, I don't rememebr, but I'm close) of Charge, and they've missile to rain on the ennemy before their deadly charge... hmmm, the smell of victory at every charge!

[WinsingtonIII]

Same with scythed chariots, if you know how to use them they can make even the cataphracts look like plastic toys.

Cidainh have one important advantage over scythed chariots, though. Scythed chariots only have 6 morale (might be the lowest of any unit in the game? except freed slaves, which also have 6) and can run amok, potentially causing devastation to your own men. Cidainh have 16 morale and cannot run amok. Scythed chariots do have better armor though.

[anubis88]

My favourites are definetly the Late Parthian ones. Why?
Because they look great.

Although i must confess i won battles even easily with the early ones, they were more versatile