Britannia

[The Black Sheep]

Romans versus barbarians is always intresting, but mostly turns out in a Roman victory. This scenario is most likely if the Romans are under your command, but the barbarians on the other hand, can prove to be very tough if you control them right.

The strongest ability of barbarian units their bravery, which is also causing fear in the enemies hearts Britannia is especially good at this, because they can field units like the woad warriors, the chariots, and the head hurlers.
Altough some people find these units worthless, they can be quite useful.

Agianst Romans, every barbarian warlord has a hard time, because of their discipline, numbers, stats and organisation. Their ranks of infantry are coming at you like a wall, and may look invinceble, especially if you play on H/H or even harder. But, that Roman battering ram can be defeated, at this part, your chariots will become at handy. Find an spot in the Roman line with only sword infantry, like princepes, in the center. These are tough units, but will be tossed aside, altough not destroyed, by your chariots if you race them in.
The best place to batter your chariots in is the center, I will explain why:

Behind an disciplined Roman army stands a good general, which raises the moral of the Roman troops. He sits on a horse, and could be an headache if you let hem charge in your line of woad warriors and swordsman. But his horse is also his weak point, as chariots are strong agianst horseman. So put your melee chariots in front, and as soon as the enemy closes in, charge them into the general. Not only will they throw the princepes around, they will also (with a bit of luck) kill the general, this is a devastating blow to Roman discipline.

At this point, you still got the rest of the Roman army left, so what to do with them? Barbarians are good individual fighters, use that ability! Split their army in two at the point that your chariots race trough the princepes. Right after they have tossed the Romans around, order your infantery to attack the princepes while their still on the ground. This do requires some timing.
Your woad warriors will slaugther them as they stand up, and you have an scared, divided Roman army in front of you. The rest is all old school slaughter

[hihappy21]

Personally, Britannia is one of my favorite factions to play. They present slight diffulculty getting used to (chariots w/barbarians who would have ever thought of that) but overall I think that they are very fun to play.

As with all RTW barbarian factions one thing that you must watch out for is the population of your settlements. This is true for all factions, however even more so for barbarians because the # of squalor control buildings are somewhat limited. Once the Britannian Empire spreads down to the very fertile provinces of Patavium and Mendlonium (cant spell it) you have to watch out your settlement's population. There are two ways I employ to solve this problem
1. DON'T build farming upgrades especially playing as a barbarian. Building farm upgrades will make your population shoot through the roof. However, sometimes when you have taken over a province the previous owner has already built a some farm upgrades then I usually employ the 2nd method.
2. Train tons of troops. This may seem quite obvious however it works. When I captured Patavium the previous owner (Gauls) had built all the farming upgrades they could and I had my population growing at 7%. Since you can't destroy farm upgrades I really had no choice but to start cranking out troops like crazy. The troops I train depend on whether or not this province is near my enemy or not. If it is I usually trains warbands and chosen swordsman. If it is not I train peasents (peasents are far cheaper to recruit and maintain however can't fight for their life)

I don't know if anyone else experienced this but in the early game I had a few financial difficulties. I wasn't exactly going bankrupt however I wasn't rolling in wealth either. One thing that made tons of money was building ports in Samarobriva and Londinium and the money will start rolling in from those two cities. By the later part of the game those cities were each producing around 3000 denarii.

[Praetor Rick]

1. DON'T build farming upgrades especially playing as a barbarian. Building farm upgrades will make your population shoot through the roof. However, sometimes when you have taken over a province the previous owner has already built a some farm upgrades then I usually employ the 2nd method.

This is sound advice for fertile provinces, but there are actually plenty of provinces in (notably) Germania where farming upgrades are an unmixed blessing. If a province has poor fertility and thus grows slowly, farms are quite helpful in getting it up to the point where you can build good troops from it, and where you don't have to worry about depopulating it. These provinces grow slowly enough that squalor will never be a major problem.

2. Train tons of troops. This may seem quite obvious however it works. When I captured Patavium the previous owner (Gauls) had built all the farming upgrades they could and I had my population growing at 7%. Since you can't destroy farm upgrades I really had no choice but to start cranking out troops like crazy. The troops I train depend on whether or not this province is near my enemy or not. If it is I usually trains warbands and chosen swordsman. If it is not I train peasents (peasents are far cheaper to recruit and maintain however can't fight for their life)

Patavium has this problem no matter who controls it - trust me, it isn't the farm upgrades that are the problem. There are always a few cities that just grow out of control no matter what you do, and this problem is worse for barbarian factions who have limited options to deal with it.

When building peasants in an overpopulated city, remember to march them to some other, less blessed city and disband them, so they contribute to population there. As I said, there will always be a few cities that can use a boost.

[RLucid]

Does plague have any scope as a population control measure?

Large peasant garrisons, then a band of carriers who move on/off ships, on a route between the towns who's long term growth needs inhibitting? That actually would in a way be more faithful to history, as large towns required constanst instream of migrants from countryside to maintain their populations at a steady level.

When you enslave populations frequently, the population growth increases to a recovery rate, so in long run, you've moved ppl amongst your provinces, have increased growth rate of some retainers, and also increased the growth rate of captured town, which tends to bounce back quickly.

This can be seen, if you compare Patavium growth rate, as Julliii. Just capturing the small city, initially means less money, and a slower medium term growth rate, as about 2% slower growth is seen in the town than occurs after it's been de-populated.

The model of population growth, used in Caesar games seems more convincing to me, there a good economy attracted migrants and larger healthier families with higher survival rate; it was during downturns that trouble would flare up. The challenge of rebellion due to population explosion seems like an artificial way to increase game difficulty.

Lack of food and economic troubles leading to large numbers of desperate poor, tend to be the triggers for unrest. Farm upgrades and economic improvements ought to reduce unrest.

How hard would it be to have a Mod with a large size "Migrant Tribe" unit, which would be an expensive Peasant style unit, with say 4 times the man power, which looks for fresh underpopulated lands to settle?

[hihappy21]

Does plague have any scope as a population control measure?

Well yes, since Britannia's only health benifits come if you build a certain type of temple (can't remember to which) as the settlement becomes larger and larger the possibility of a plaque becomes more and more likely. Plagues will drastically lower the population. A problem that I have with strategy is that I cant control when I want the plaque so I usually try not to let my settlement have plaques.

[RLucid]

The idea is that you maintain plague carrier peasants in your over-populated cities, and put them on a circuit to re-infect, every time you want to cull.

[Praetor Rick]

The idea is that you maintain plague carrier peasants in your over-populated cities, and put them on a circuit to re-infect, every time you want to cull.

A particularly ruthless application of the basic "plague spy" concept, applied to your own settlements rather than those of your opponent.

I admire your capacity for evil. It never even occurred to me to spread the plague among my own settlements, even though now that you have suggested it, the benefits seem quite obvious. Just make sure not to infect a settlement you're going to want to use for the next few years, of course.

Note that I'm pretty sure that just forcing the settlement to rebel, reconquering it, and exterminating the populace is still likely to be more economical, even counting the maintenance and re-training cost of the army you use to reconquer. Not much you can do if you just don't have an army convenient, though - but then again, you're likely to have more armies lying around than you do plague bearers.

[RLucid]

A particularly ruthless application of the basic "plague spy" concept, applied to your own settlements rather than those of your opponent.

I admire your capacity for evil.

It's not evilness, it was thinking through the actual historical limits on population growth.

A plague city has to have lowered tax rate, I think (but am not sure) that trade income falls off, though I found a plague ridden Carthage's ports appeared to remain open for business as usual, so I'm not sure. As the city is over-populated you would just go on recruiting peasant plague carriers.

If the over-population of fertile cities is an issue, maybe making the Peasants a 0 turn recruitment unit, would allow resettlement on mass.

[Iñnsomñni]

Most of my tactics have been said, im not sure this has though

Chariots
These can be extremely useful, if you use them successfully.

Charging
When you charge at an enemy with chariots, i have found that charging at an engaged enemy unit, from any side, results in heavy casualties to the enemy, and a rout, with minimal casualties to you unit...
Also charging an enemy in loose formation is just a slaughter, the chariot has nothing to stop its momentum and carries on right through the enemy, slaughtering them all.

What Not to Charge
Those Germanic Spearmen are a real pain, i flanked them and charged and still lost the majority of my chariots with minimal losses to the spearmen, but with them engaged you should get better results.

Distances
When you charge with a chariot, a longer distance is always better, as it builds up momentum and the chariots usually group together, creating a hole in the enemies formation when it hits.

Light Cavalry
Light chariots and light cavalry dont stand a chance against heavier chariots if you can get them up close, you will take minimal losses for maximum effect, usually routing the enemy within a second

Well i hope that helps with Britannia chariots

[Good Ship Chuckle]

I personally would never go near a german phalanx whatsoever, even if they are engaged by your infantry. I had a bad experience once.

I was clearing up a routing german phalanx with a unit of light chariots. Somehow, the unit recovered its morale as I was clearing them up. The German phalanx didn't even need to recovered its formation, before it routed my light chariots. I wouldn't touch a unit of german phalanx with a forty-foot pole, when using light chariots.

[Praetor Rick]

I personally would never go near a german phalanx whatsoever, even if they are engaged by your infantry. I had a bad experience once.

I was clearing up a routing german phalanx with a unit of light chariots. Somehow, the unit recovered its morale as I was clearing them up. The German phalanx didn't even need to recovered its formation, before it routed my light chariots. I wouldn't touch a unit of german phalanx with a forty-foot pole, when using light chariots.

German Spear Warbands vs. Briton Light or Heavy Chariots is an absurdly mismatched fight even in the most terrible tactical situation for the Germans. I've never gone in against chariots of any sort with spears before, so it's possible that all spears are just as deadly to chariots as the Germans - it seems plausible, given that the Germans don't even need to be in phalanx formation to slaughter the chariots in job lots. The light chariots are at least somewhat threatening, since they engage with arrows, but the heavies are a waste of cash against spears - they basically burst into flames and explode the minute a phalanx capable unit enters the battlefield. It's probably the number one reason I advise Germania players to go after Britannia first - it's so absurdly easy, and the isles are quite profitable once you've kicked the Britons out. The Gauls, wimpy though they are, are likely to be a more substantial threat just because their generals aren't chariots. Not that cavalry does well against spears, but it does better than chariots.

[Darkvicer98]

If any type of chariot goes near a phalanx,its suicide. One touch of a spear and the chariot's dead. Since britannia is all chariots,germania have an advantage against them. I don't bother with chariots because they don't like me and i don't like them so i just keep the warlord back while the rest fight the battle.

[Seamus Fermanagh]

I agree with the thoughts about brit chariot generals. They are WAY too fragile. You really need to keep them out of the fight until its time to mow down routers.


Chariots hitting the front of a phalanx are usually trashed. Mind you, this can be of value if you're willing to lose your heavy chariot unit solely for the purpose of breaking their formation. The spear boys will not take many casualties and you will lose 2/3 or your chariots, but there will be gaps and bends in their formation. Followed quickly enough by cavalry or sword infantry, this can result in a breakthrough -- but its going to be hard on your chariots.


Light chariots are a must with Briton for their missile ability. They're nice in that they can usually outrun anyone who can really hurt them and their scythes hammer the light cavalry that can catch them. It's a pity nobody in England ever considered using a bow while standing afoot rather than in a moving chariot. Must be something to do with "being sporting."

[Iñnsomñni]

Another thing about German Spear Warbands, i have finally gathered enough info to decide that an infantry assault in their front is the best thing, maybe flank. Just hit them with every single infantry unit you have and watch them crumble, and the flanking of the enemy begins, as do the mass routs

[RLucid]

German spear warbands have little armour, their weakness is against missile attack and their slow speed in phalanx mode. Light Infantry (& Light Missile Chariots) who can kill at a distance, are the way to destroy German AI armies, which tend to be based on spear phalanxes. Sometimes you can tire out inexperienced phalanx units, having them chase light chariot first, they'll take heavier losses faster when engaged by swordsmen and rout sooner.

[Seamus Fermanagh]

Another thing about German Spear Warbands, i have finally gathered enough info to decide that an infantry assault in their front is the best thing, maybe flank. Just hit them with every single infantry unit you have and watch them crumble, and the flanking of the enemy begins, as do the mass routs

RE: your sig
There is a "hunk" thread in the Backroom. Warning: Abandon Hope, All Ye Who Enter There.

[Praetor Rick]

German spear warbands have little armour, their weakness is against missile attack and their slow speed in phalanx mode. Light Infantry (& Light Missile Chariots) who can kill at a distance, are the way to destroy German AI armies, which tend to be based on spear phalanxes. Sometimes you can tire out inexperienced phalanx units, having them chase light chariot first, they'll take heavier losses faster when engaged by swordsmen and rout sooner.

The problem with Briton Light Chariots is that they spread out into such a huge formation that they are likely to brush the speartips of a Spear Warband and die even when trying not to. Foot archers or skirmishers or slingers are, IMHO, a better solution to the Spear Warbands. Or just mass flank action, like most phalanxes they are terribly unsuited to dealing with non-frontal attacks.

[RLucid]

A balanced army is always better; Slingers & Archers are Light Missile Infantry so a good solution to soften up poorly armoured spearmen at a distance.

Now in some situations, Light Chariots are even better. If you wait till you can get Archer units along, or extra slingers then you'll take towns a turn or so later than someone who's more flexibly minded, and willing to use cavalry to full potential.

[Ibn-Khaldun]

Britons can not recruit any foot archers

[Good Ship Chuckle]

I wouldn't complain that they can't recruit foot archers, because light charries fill that role easily enough.

You should really complain about the fact that they can't recruit a single horseman (not counting barbarian mercs). That's the real problem.

[Celtic_Punk]

i dont like britannia...the historical inaccuracies (head hurlers Heads were considered TROPHIES to the Celts, not missiles) and crappy unit selection make this faction lame and terrible to play...


btw someone needs to give the celts some archers in barbarian invasion...

[Darkvicer98]

Britannia has a limited selection of cavalry. They can only recruit Chariots,no mounted units which makes them vunerable to the German Spear Warband,one touch of a spear and they're dead. Its a shame that,.

In Barbarian Invasion the Celts should have archers other than crossbowmen which have the most basic range i've seen. They might as well run because they fire so close to the enemy troops.

[Celtic_Punk]

they do have slingers tho

the gallowglasses are amazing tho.. superior to the comminates

[Good Ship Chuckle]

Another historical inaccuracy is BI is the celt's unit called the Hounds of Culann. This wasn't a type of soldier, he was a hero in a myth.

[Celtic_Punk]

hehehe this hound of culaan kicked some serious ass then eh!?

proud to be Irish :D


Edit:

just did a bit of preliminary research... The hound of Culain (actual name was Cúchulainn) didnt fight as an infantry man, but preferred to fight from astride his chariot... hmmmmm CA has to touch up on their homework methinks

[Good Ship Chuckle]

Raise you hands up if you like being Irish!!!!


Btw, there's mod out for Alexander Total War (the lesser known expansion of RTW) that's called Gods and Fighting Men. It focuses soley on Ancient Ireland. I haven't tried it because I don't have Alexander. But it looks cool, and sooner or later I'll play it! You can find a lot more about it on TWcenter. Check it out!

[Xipe Totec]

I recommend the Pogues 'Sick Bed of Cuchulainn' from their album 'Rum, Sodomy & The Lash' if you want a rollicking good Irish drinking song with some folklore thrown in. Its long been a favourite of mine.

[Good Ship Chuckle]

Ah yes. What a good idea. Playing some Irish drinking songs as you play Brittania. Then again, any time is a good time for some Irish drinking songs!


er...*ahem...Back on topic now. Brittania...et cetera, et cetera....

[Xipe Totec]

Britannia can be a fun faction to play if you don't mind escaping from reality in a big way and enjoying the novel visuals. My favourite army in my current campaign consists of a main body of head hurlers and woads, with slingers in front and light chariots on the wings or behind the hurlers if the enemy has a lot of cavalry. All units have Andrasta circle upgrades and +3 missile upgrade from a captured Abnoba grove / weaponsmith in Alesia.

Moving the army up to slinger range the enemy gets quite pelted. Any units which attack my lines get hit by slingshot, arrows and heads before getting into chariots scary range and finally meeting a brick wall of non-skirmishing hurlers. Even Generals tend to rout from that and most casualties I get are from friendly head fire.

Has so far proven very effective against Gauls, Germans and Romans. Only snag is that enemy cavalry will eventually almost always charge the slingers, so they must retreat behind the lines at the first sign of that happening. As a wooden wall assault force it is deadly also, with the huge amount of missiles taking out most of the enemy before going in with a hurler assault.

Retraining is essential due to the high amount of casualties suffered by the lightly armoured assault troops, so a lot of Andrasta temple building is required as you progress. One good thing about Woads and hurlers is how fast they are at chasing routers. You just got to love the squelchy noise that heads make as they hit an enemy unit as well!

[Darkvicer98]

I dont' mind playing as Britannia but they are a little low on income and their position on the map with only 1 settlement in Gaul which has low population.

Plus they only get Chariots as Cavalry which are useless i think in both settlements and open land so i don't bother with them and just leave them out of the battlezone unless their Missile Chariots which i keep out of the battle but in range of their units. In settlements they can't really move.

They are an Infantry Faction i'd say because of their Druids and Woad Warriors and Chosen Swordsmen. I just conquer Gaul and Germania and ally with the Roman Julii.