Units Of Rome Total War: Romans

Since Alot of the changing of our mod HRTW deals with the units.. i've decided to give the descriptions of each unit in the TW series.. hopefully after ideas, suggestions and discussion we can decide which units to keep and which units to change and or scrap.. the first faction featured will be the Romans.. i might include the units from popular mods as well..

P.S. was not able to add the post-marian reform units.. if anybody knows how I can access them without playing until the reform please let me know!

Peasants

Peasants are reluctant warriors, but numbers are useful in all armies. Forcing peasants to fight is one way of getting lots of men in the field quickly and cheaply. They have little tactical sense, and even less willingness to fight - they would rather be defending their own homes than be dragged to a battle they neither care about nor understand. If nothing else, they are useful when there's digging to be done! They are, however, experts at reading the land and hiding whenever there is cover.

Town Watch

The town watch are local workers and peasants given enough training to defend their homes and keep order in the streets. They are no substitute for fully trained Roman legionaries, but then they are not expected to be more than a citizen militia with an interest in keeping the peace (and possibly they might have some fire fighting duties). They do not have much equipment, as the most they are expected to do is stand behind their spears and shields, and then hold position when charged. By and large, this they manage to do.

Hastati

Hastati are among the younger men in an early Republican Legion, and form the front line in any battle. They are supposed to wear down an enemy and hold him before the next Roman battle line attacks and carries on the fight. They are, as a result, capable troops in their own right.
They are armed with two pila that are thrown at the enemy at close range before they close to fight hand-to-hand. They are equipped with a sword, a bronze helmet, a large shield and a breastplate. The pilum (plural, pila) is a cleverly designed spear with a soft iron shaft behind the point; it bends on impact so that it can’t be thrown back and if it’s stuck in someone or something it is a real hindrance to movement.
Historically, hastati spent their own money on their equipment and often couldn’t afford anything much better. This, along with the age and property requirements, was why they fought as hastati.

Principes

Principes are older, more reliable soldiers who have seen some service. It is their task to be the second line of a legion and carry on the fight once the hastati are spent. They are supposed to carry on the 'wearing down' fight and exhaust the enemy. They are, as a result, capable soldiers and unafraid of combat.
They are armed with two pila that are thrown at the enemy at close range before they close to fight hand-to-hand. They are each equipped with a sword, a bronze helmet, a large shield and chain armour. The pilum (plural, pila) is a cleverly designed spear with a soft iron shaft behind the point; it bends on impact so that it can’t be thrown back and if it’s stuck in someone or something it is a real hindrance to movement - always assuming whoever it's stuck in isn't dead!
Historically, principes spent their own money on their equipment and, being older, were in a position to buy better gear than the young hastati. This, along with the age and property requirements, was why they fought as principes.

Triarii

Triarii are tough heavy spearmen who make up the third and most senior part of a Roman Legion before the military Reforms of Gaius Marius. They carry a long "hoplite-style" spear (the hasta) which is used to thrust, a long shield and a gladius. They are the oldest veteran soldiers, and well armoured – hardly surprising, given that they are also drawn from the richest section of society.
The triarii are the last available line in early-pattern Republican Legions. "Going to the triarii" is a Roman saying meaning carrying on to the bitter end, and if they are used it’s a sign that the moment of decision in a battle has arrived.
Historically, triarii spent their own money on their equipment and could afford to buy the best of everything.

Velites

Velites are light skirmishing troops who screen the main battle line of an early-pattern Legion as it advances.
They are armed with javelins and a stabbing sword, and carry a small round shield but no other protection. It is their task to harass the enemy before the main combat begins.
Velites are recruited from younger citizens, who lack the experience (or the money for their own gear) to fight as hastati or other heavy infantry.
Roman velites become outdated after the Marius Reforms. Historically, Marius put the Roman army on a professional footing, and abandoned all property and age requirements in the process. Roman citizens would no longer go to war as-and-when as a civic duty; they would fight in future as full-time citizen-mercenaries in the Legions.

Roman Archers

Roman archers are supporting troops for heavier infantry, very much a secondary role in Roman warfare. They are missile troops almost exclusively, as their lack of armour and poor hand weapons mean that only a heartless or desperate commander would deliberately order them to fight in hand-to-hand combat. Archery is not really a significant part of the Roman way of warfare, but the need for some missile troops is obvious to Roman commanders, and hence these archers are recruited from among the peasant classes.

Equites

Equites are light cavalrymen armed with spears. In the Roman system of war, they are intended to drive off skirmishers and pursue fleeing enemies. The word equites means 'horsemen', and they are recruited from among the well-off sections of society. They wear little armour and only carry spears and shields. As a result, they can charge enemies, but may be cut to pieces by a prepared defensive line of spearmen if these were attacked head on. Instead, they should be used against the flanks or rear of units, or to keep missile troops and skirmishers away from the main Roman heavy infantry (who are the real killers of a Roman army).
Historically, equites were drawn from the equestrian classes - literally the rich people who could afford to own horses - and they spent their own money on both horse and war gear.

Cavalry Auxilia

Cavalry auxilia are javelin-armed mounted skirmishers who strike quickly and retire with equal and prudent haste. They do not wear armour, but do carry shields and swords so that they can fight in their own defence should the need arise. They are, however, best used to harass a mass of enemy units such as heavy infantry. Such targets cannot hope to catch them! They are not ideally suited to fighting other skirmishers, as many of their javelins will be wasted against targets that can dodge, but they can be very useful in harrying fleeing enemies and driving them from the field.

Early Roman General's Bodyguard

This general has a bodyguard of loyal spear-armed cavalry to accompany him onto the field. Armed with spears, these men are shock cavalry, able to deliver a devastating charge attack; they are then well trained enough to fight effectively in continued hand-to-hand combat.\n\nLike all general's guards, this unit is best committed to the fight at the point of crisis, when the general's inspirational leadership and the combat power of his men can tip the balance.

Wardogs

Wardogs are bred for a savage nature and great size, but then hunting men is only a little more dangerous than hunting wild boar! The beasts are muscular and powerful. Originally bred for hunting large prey, they are now trained to hunt and attack men. Wardogs are usually unleashed on an enemy to break a line and unnerve opponents. Few men are able to stand steadily in the face of a snarling and partially-starved beast. The dogs are trained to bite and hold on, dragging down their human targets, and hamstringing horses.
Their handlers are brave, hardy and not easily intimidated: many have fingers, hands or even chunks of limbs missing!

Incendiary Pigs

Incendiary pigs are 'one shot' weapons intended to spread panic and terror amongst enemies, particularly mounted troops.
The pigs are coated in pitch, tar and oil, and herded towards the enemy. At the right moment, the pigs are ignited by their handlers and, not unnaturally, they run away in pain and terror - hopefully towards the enemy. Apart from goring anyone foolish enough to get in their way, the pigs are tremendously disruptive to formations. They are also very frightening for elephants in particular, and this is their main use in warfare.
Pigs can only be fired up once during a battle, and few survive for long.

Arcani

They are a shadowy part of the Roman army organised in small groups and competent in camouflage and deception. The arcani exist almost as a secret society whose very name should not be spoken.
The armour they wear is finely crafted so that while it offers great protection, it will not slow or tire the fantastically fit arcani troops. Their face masks mean opposing troops may even flee in terror when surprised by a group of these blood-thirsty killers!

Samnite Gladiators

Samnite gladiators are more than just soldiers. They are superb individual fighters, unmatched by any ordinary warriors. They fight wearing little armour - their lot in life isn't necessarily to live, but to die in an entertaining manner. Samnites would normally fight as one half of a matched pair, but on a battlefield they form a unit all of their own.
They are a specialised elite, one that cares little for personal safety as the only way to attain any reward is through victory! Gladiators, after all, are part of the damnati: the disgraced, the condemned, the untouchables in society. There is nowhere else for them to go in the search for freedom.

Velite Gladiators

Velite gladiators are more than mere light infantrymen - they are superb individual fighters, unmatched by any ordinary warriors. They fight wearing little armour - their lot in life isn't always to live through a fight, but to die in an entertaining manner. The style of the velite is one that uses only a spear and shield combination, relying on natural agility to avoid injury and death.
Gladiators are used in battle as a specialised elite, one that cares little for personal safety - the only way to attain freedom is through victory! Gladiators, after all, are part of the damnati: the disgraced, the condemned, and the untouchables in society. There is nowhere else for them to go.

Mirmillo Gladiators

Mirmillo gladiators are superb individual fighters, unmatched by any ordinary soldiers. They wear apparently impractical armour, but then it is designed to stop a quick kill in the arena, not necessarily keep them alive in a battle. They would normally fight singly as half of a matched pair, against another style of fighter, but on a battlefield they form a unit all of their own.
They care little for personal safety as they are part of the damnati: the disgraced, the condemned, the untouchables in society. They fight; they win; they may gain freedom... eventually.

Ballistas

A Ballista is a sinew-powered weapon that looks like an enormous crossbow. It has tremendous range and can skewer files of men with a single bolt!
While a Ballista might look like a huge crossbow, its working principles are rather different. The two arms are pushed through ropes made of tough animal sinew. This naturally elastic material is then twisted, and becomes a hugely powerful spring, pulling each arm forwards. The arms are pulled back, creating even more tension, the Ballista is loaded with a missile, and then this is shot at the enemy with considerable force.
Providing care is taken to make sure that the two sinew bundles are under the same tension, the Ballista is a very accurate weapon, but because sinew is sensitive to damp a Ballista does not work well in wet weather.

Repeating Ballistas

The repeating ballista is a semi-automatic artillery weapon. As long as it is loaded with bolts and cranked it will keep firing. The basic design is similar to a ballista: twisted animal sinew ropes provide the power. There is an ingenious winding mechanism that draws back the arms, drops a bolt into place and then releases a catch - and all this happens repeatedly as long as a windlass is turned.
This makes it a perfect weapon for creating a 'beaten zone' or targeting large enemy formations, when speed of fire is more important than pinpoint accuracy.

Scorpions

A Roman scorpion is a sinew-powered weapon that looks like a large bow laid sideways on a frame. It has a tremendous range and can skewer a man with a single shot!
While a scorpion might look like a huge bow, its working principles are rather different. The two arms are pushed through ropes made of tough animal sinew which is then twisted, becoming a hugely powerful spring, pulling each arm forwards. The arms are pulled back, creating even more tension, the scorpion is loaded with a missile, and then this is shot at the enemy with considerable force and accuracy.
Providing care is taken to make sure that the two sinew bundles are under the same tension, the scorpion is a very accurate weapon, but because sinew is sensitive to damp a scorpion may not work properly in wet weather.

Onagers

The onager is a catapult jokingly named for the tremendous kick it has when fired at the enemy (an "onager" is a wild ass). This war machine is powered by a twisted spring of animal sinew ropes, the most elastic substance available.
The throwing arm is held in tension by the sinews. When pulled back and held by a catch it can fling a boulder with considerable speed and range. This version can be used for reducing stone fortifications, but it can also be used on the battlefield for destroying enemy artillery and harassing troops (although admittedly by killing some of them outright).
The onager can also be used to launch incendiary missiles such as firepots, making it a versatile piece of artillery to any commander.

Heavy Onagers

The heavy onager is an enormous catapult built using the same basic design as its sibling and capable of smashing down stone fortifications. It is powered by a twisted bundle of animal sinew ropes, and is slow to wind back and reload. Its missiles are devastating, and it can also fire incendiary firepots.
Range is no more than the smaller onager and this makes the heavy onager susceptible to counter fire. Often, it is best employed alongside smaller artillery to deal with enemy fire.


I hope you guys enjoyed reading this and feel welcome to give your ideas/thoughts on these units for HRTW.. Up Next:The Greeks

Uhm... Ahowl. Those are not reskinned yet.. Delete the images, and ask OceanPhoenix for his reskins.
BTW: You must delete all arcani and gladiators, and the onagers

Originally Posted by Valkar

BTW: You must delete all arcani and gladiators, and the onagers

Why onagers???

Onagers are not historical. Every hellenic and roman culture used three maniple stone projectors for siege. There's no such thing as a onager.

notice how the thread is called units of rome total war? they are all vanilla.. arcani are dumb and i dont like onagers either.. what about the other siege weapons?

also i figured we would give the gladiators to the rebels for the gladiator uprising.. as well as peasants

Peasents should be unrecruitable, only avaible in Revolts :)

yes i totally agree.. also i believe town watch should lose the cape and be labeled as Rorarii

And get a more white skin, for historical purposes.

well actually i was thinking.. the skins that rebels have? why not use those for AOR units? they would be AOR and for rebels:)

The most historical correct skin of vanilla is the rebel one, for its soft color and not bright paint :D NIce guess :d

it was educated:) but that way the player can tell the difference between faction units and AOR units

Originally Posted by ahowl11

notice how the thread is called units of rome total war? they are all vanilla.. arcani are dumb and i dont like onagers either.. what about the other siege weapons?

also i figured we would give the gladiators to the rebels for the gladiator uprising.. as well as peasants

We can make Spartacus appear with a script...

thats an idea.. but if we have spartacus we need hannibal, caesar, and co. it is a good idea though

Awsome Idea!
Not many mods have that.

it is awesome.. but it would take alot of work

Originally Posted by ahowl11

it is awesome.. but it would take alot of work

Not that much work...
We coud get a scripter somewhere...

know of any? we have one on the team.. his name is Primo at TWC.. however he will be gone for a week or so

Originally Posted by ahowl11

know of any? we have one on the team.. his name is Primo at TWC.. however he will be gone for a week or so

Nope.
Hmmm...maybe relese these features in Beta?

ya it will be for beta

Here is a tutorial on making that kind of scripts... no need of an experienced scripter...

good find! would you wanna give it a shot?

Sure...

I made Spartacus !

Thats pretty awesome!

Originally Posted by Macedon1an

I made Spartacus !

OH MY GOD
Just give him a better army{like making the general gold-gold and some uints silver/gold}

Macedon1an!!!!!! Thats great dude:)

just give him some command stars and influence.. also if there was a way for him to attract more rebels.. plus a way to make him romp around