I'd have to say that Baktria is my second favorite Hellenistic faction, surpassed only by Epeiros. The only complaint I can voice is that their starting position isn't optimal for me, being almost all the way east. Merely having a central starting location--I'd consider any of the factions between Rome in the west and Pahlava in the east to have a 'central' starting position--is a big plus in my book, which is precisely why Epeiros just barely edges out Baktria for the #1 spot.
Is there any particular reason you can't finish a Diadochi campaign? Say, for example, not enjoying phalanx-based warfare? Fighting against and with Phalanx-heavy armies does get sort of repetitive after a while, I'll admit.
The reforms are precisely why I originally tried Hayasdan. The mere idea of creating a sort of Hai-Achaemenid Empire is appealing to me. Plus, I like Hayasdan's unit roster, which is probably my favorite in the game at the moment. Though, I must say that Caucasian Spear rout kind of often, even with a competent general actively trying to keep their morale up nearby. I usually switch to Armenian Spearman as soon as possible, and finally Armenian Medium Infantry when I get 'em. Or Georgian Medium Infantry. Whichever's fine.I can understand the emperor's block with Hayasdan. Once I got the "Arkah arkahen" title, it felt like game over for me. The government reforms and the amount of potential for roleplaying with the governmental reforms reeled me back into it.
However, the one thing that did bother me when playing as Hayasdan was the... rather trumpet-heavy music that plays during the pre-battle phase. It just wasn't my cup o' tea, so I eventually fiddled around with the music file and changed it to something that better fit my fancy. I also added a few battle tracks for every faction type. Admittedly, they're not period (..or culture) appropriate by any stretch of the imagination, but those tracks do get my blood pumping whenever they start playing.
The Sabaen units really surprised me, actually. They don't look like much on paper, but many have proved themselves tenacious beyond what one would expect form their morale stat. Of course, it probably helps that my Sabaen family members tend to get +morale traits and ancillaries. Never mind the command stars from numerous heroic victories and the high influence my family members tend to gain.On another note, your Saba looks very enticing. The pantadopai phalanxes are really a good choice for Saba, since they have AP axes as secondary weapons. You should also look into the Sabaean levy spearmen, since they have great morale, defense, and attack for being simple levies.
Anyway, I do have another campaign I'm working on right now.
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
I'm the Arverni in this game, and yes, I modded their faction colours recently.
Honestly, it's been a really easy game, but I guess that's what I get for blitzing the Aedui right off the bat, as one can see from the two famous battle sites near Bibracte, both of which took place in the 270s. By the mid 250s, I had already conquered almost the entirety of my current empire's provinces, except for Aventicos and... er... the southernmost Aedui starting province. Rome has invaded a few times, but were repelled easily.
Oh, and that general south of Bibracte? 'Tis a Roman family member that realized, with a few financial incentives, that green was the way to go.
Actually, I've been swimming in money, so I've been forced to find ways to dispose of it, mostly by gifting large (100k+) amounts of Mnai to whatever factions my diplomat happens to be in or near at the time. Except the Ptolemaioi, who obviously don't need any help, what with them currently eating up... everyone they share borders with. The only one(s) that have held their ground for more than a few years are Pontos, Makedonia/Pergamon, and Carthage.
I do believe that this is the first game in which the Yellow Death has arisen. I really, really hope someone manages to stop the Ptolemaioi, but I doubt that'll happen.
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