Hayasdan Questions

[vartan]

No, not about reforms

First off, long time lurker, first time poster, and many thanks to the EB team for a great mod, and one that revived RTW for me after a few years of dust gathering!

A couple of Hayasdan questions:

1) What do any of you like about the core roster? So far I am early on, and having a bit of trouble with the grey death pikes (well, I can beat them, but it is a micromanage fest) largely because the Sparabara are rubbish, and the Armenian Spearmen don't seem much better. Is there something down the line that can hold the line better? As it is, the FMs are saving me by the hammer and anvil method and done quickly before the Sparabara bleed out or flee. At some point soon I expect the silver shield spams to be heading my way and I tremble . . .

2) I've read several posts about Karkiokatherta as a great natural fortress because of the steep hills on two sides. How does this play out? Do you need stone walls so your missiles have the elevation to tear up the enemy? As it is with wooden walls I have to sally out and still meet them on level ground or with them just barely over the hill. So far I am seeing any tremendous advantage. Or maybe it is my tactics?

Anyway, again, great mod and cheers!

1) Nothing bad to say about the roster. From the slingers to the kataphracts, loving every second of it.

2) Karkathiokerta is located quite darn close to where Tigranakert was located, and we're talking about what were historically two major forts, quite similar to, for instance, the fort at Ani, or earlier forts at Erebuni (located at the ancient Araratian Argishti-hinli, modern day Yerevan). These are quite great places to defend by combining infantry, cavalry and missile. Missile makes the best defense at these locations, stopping most if not all of enemy siege tools.

Thanks for the welcome and the tips. Looks like I'll just have to wait till I get better barracks to really push the Selukids as hard as I want. For now its hit and run, defensive war, micromanagement of battles. It's the most fun I've had in EB in some time- a real nice challenge, having to worry whilst trying to get the economy up and running. What a chore! I think I will give the Armenian spearmen a try, though the cost is a bit tough to take.

Have fun. There's no need for Armenian Spearmen this early in the game. In fact, just realize that almost all of those Caucasian Spearmen are actually Armenians levied to fight. They aren't professionally trained soldiers like Armenian Spearmen. And honestly, when it comes to fighting the Seleucid Empire, especially early on, don't worry about losing Spearmen. You don't need to lose Spearmen. In fact, your Spearmen are lightspeeds faster than the enemy phalanxes, so you should in fact refuse battle to the enemy line. It'll give you an edge and plenty of time to use all your missiles properly. It's the easiest thing in single player to split up the enemy line. If only humans were that unintelligent, I would win every MP battle!