Naked Fanatics...Are they of any use?

**unseen11** · 05-01-2005, 11:02

I just can't seem to find any use to them, they're 2 turn build time doesn't seem to be of any point since they aint that great.

Has anyone used them effectively? I think they may be of use on stone walls.

**Dutch_guy** · 05-01-2005, 11:38

they are good shock troops, especially in the beginning .
But I find that they become useless when you can get Chosens and Forresters

**Beefy** · 05-01-2005, 13:42

cannon fodder? speed bumper?

**Uesugi Kenshin** · 05-01-2005, 13:53

They are good shock infantry in the beginning of the game, but once you get access to better trained and armoured chosen swordsmen they become obsolete.

**Ldvs** · 05-01-2005, 14:23

Their only advantage is the high morale, otherwise, they're useless. In RTR they are a little bit more useful but still, I think it was just another "fun" unit with no particular purpose.

**player1** · 05-01-2005, 15:22

Good for flanking, since that's whne their attack shines and their low defense is less important.

Also, they have low upkeep...

But personally, I favor Woad Warriors more. Available earlier, plus faster.

**Marcus Maxentius** · 05-01-2005, 18:39

Until you're rolling in the cash they're good as flankers/rushers. Minus the elites, I find them no worse than other lower level barbarians. They all have the same characteristics. They're like foot cavalry if they're is such a thing. They have a strong initial attack, but if they battle isn't won they take casualties. Some good advice is to never use them alone or in small numbers. Send a bunch out and charge all at once for best results.

I'll have to try Brittania and the woad warriors. I think naked fanatics seem better statwise with the 5 point shield which I think should be higher since it's so big. Woads are cheaper though and have stamina added so that's a bonus.

**The Stranger** · 05-01-2005, 18:48

they are Gaesatae actually, totally naked me with a large shield and a spear and a sword. they were young men of gallic tribes. but as a lot of barbarians fought that way they just named them naked fanatics and gave them to all barb factions

**Craterus** · 05-02-2005, 16:37

Originally Posted by Emperor Umeu 1

they are Gaesatae actually, totally naked me with a large shield and a spear and a sword. they were young men of gallic tribes. but as a lot of barbarians fought that way they just named them naked fanatics and gave them to all barb factions

Now there's something I didn't know, well you learn something new everyday.

**The Stranger** · 05-02-2005, 16:37

ofcourse that's why i am going to be a teacher. *cough* no not really *cough*

**Craterus** · 05-02-2005, 17:04

I think Naked Fanatics are an ok unit. I've found some uses for them. Instead of Warcry they should have "Flash" as their special attack. That'd be funny.

**mfberg** · 05-02-2005, 17:18

When playing as Germans they were okay for a flanking force before chosen Axemen/nightraider/berserks came along. I haven't really found a use for them as Gaul except as a plug in the line when my warband starts faltering.

mfberg

**Kraxis** · 05-02-2005, 17:41

It is interesting that the Naked Fanatics are certainly based on the Gaesatae, but they are armed with swords, while the Gaesatae were spearmen. In fact Gae means spear in Gallic, so their translated named would be something a la 'Spearmen', 'Spearband' or similar. They did perhaps have swords too, but the spear was their primary weapon.

Btw, I find them easy to defeat in battle because of their weak defense, the losses they can suffer from a proper charge more than offsets their higher morale. But usually they still manage to inflict heavy losses on those that has to pin them.
They are, though, underpowered.

**Marcus Maxentius** · 05-02-2005, 18:09

Maybe I still need to get my flanking down. Playing as barbarians really tells you how good a job your doing. I've been practicing as germania and believe it or not I seem to do no better loading up on naked fanatics then night raiders or chosen axemen. They all usually slaughter a lot before taking a bunch of hits themselves. This is going up against non-elite armies or pre marian roman legions. It seems cheaper to keep some naked fanatics around

**tibilicus** · 05-02-2005, 18:21

I prefer to use Naked fanatics for flanking but also for shock value. Once i killed a Roman generel and took away a good bit of there right flank. Then i flung aloud of these on warcry into the front of the Romans and they almost ran instantly.

**pezhetairoi** · 05-03-2005, 01:55

Okay, how do NF work out in Spanish terms? We all know that right at the beginning of the campaign all we get is the capability to build Town Militia. I mean, not even Iberian infantry (except in one town). So, NFseem the best thing before Scutarii, which should be the mainstay. Should NF be the backbone of my battle line until I build enough Iberians/create enough capability to build Iberians?

And...can anyone compile a list of what temples each barbarian faction needs to build NF?

**player1** · 05-03-2005, 07:32

Of course they should.

Iberian Infantry is the crappiest infantry for it's upkeep cost (170gp).

**The Stranger** · 05-03-2005, 09:04

Originally Posted by Craterus

I think Naked Fanatics are an ok unit. I've found some uses for them. Instead of Warcry they should have "Flash" as their special attack. That'd be funny.

hmm thought the DBZ rage was over by now