OiM Balcan factions
Here are my ideas for OiM balcan factions:
I ask Romanian members to check them, correct what they like or give me more ideas.
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First. You should understand that it was incredibly hard to create those lists - they are supposed to be quite realistic and useful for the mod at the same time, so sometimes I made decisions you can disagree with. Anyway it is your mod, so you can choose what to add and what to remove, but I really put some effort in creating these 3 unit rosters.
Second. Often there is an incredible variaty of weaponry amongst on 'unit' - they were using all manner of weapons - spears, sabres, lances, shields, bows, pistols, arquebusiers - sometimes all of them !
Third. The names are in Romanian, but there is a problem that sometimes the same unit is described with several names at the same time, with a name of a completely different unit or even with a name which seems created by the guy who described it. Terrible !
All right let's start.
Generic
Wallachian and Moldavian ( + possibly Transylvanian) bodyguards were called Boieri de Casa or Copii de Casa.
THey were better armed than ordinary Boieri, so should be armed with lances, sabres and should be WELL armoured and possibly with shields as well. It is the only one truly generic unit I can propose.
WALLACHIA
The faction is famous of its light cavalry, but was using some quite interesting units of infantry as well ( including Transylvanian Haiduks).
The majority of its armies were made of cavalry.
Cavalry:
Boieri ( Wallachian Boyars - if you preferr the names in English - Boieri is the general term in Romanian),
Spear was the favourite weapon of the Wallachians, so their Boieri should use:
- lances ( in Polish called 'oseka') - with a hook added from one side - it was used to unhorse enemies even after the initial charge, a very good weapon,
- sabres,
- shields - usually curved as the Rac, Hungarian Hussars etc.
- armour - light, they were the elite so could afford it.
Curteni
These were retainers of the Boyars. Should be armed in the same way, but without armour.
Calarisi
These were border guards. They should use either bow and spear or just bow and sabre. They were proffessional soldiers supposed to guard all the entries to Wallachia, especially the bridges/crosses over Danube.
Infantry:
Wasn't numerous, but should be there.
Strajeri
It was MOUNTED INFANTRY, but it is impossible to recreate their power correctly, unfortunatelly.
So they should be treated as infantry.
Armed with sabres and bows.
NOTE - sometimes they are called Seimeni or Voinici - I am not sure which name is correct, though.
Dorobanti
Guardians of the passes in Carpathia mountains.
Armed with double-handed axes and bows or arquebuses. In my opinion they should get the arquebuses to show that they were an elite unit.
Should be able to hide everywhere, in my opinion, because they usually were used to attack enemy from behind or to ambush him
++++ additional units++++++
Haiduks and Transylvanian Szekely - described later.
MOLDAVIA
In later XVIth century it was quite poor country and its army was much worse than during the reign of Stefan the Great.
For this reason their cavalry should be less numerous.
Cavalry:
Boieri ( Moldavian Boyars)
Moldavian armies were always using a large number of archers, for this reason their Boieri should use:
- sabres,
- bows,
+ armour - I don't think they should use shields.
Curteni and Strajeri ( this infantry) should use the same equipment as the Wallachians - in fact these units should be SHARED by the both factions
Calarisi
Moldavian Calarisi should use sabres and bows and no spears in my opinion.
Infantry:
Razesi
These were landowning peasants who provided the armies of Stefan the Great with a large nymber of willing to fight soldiers, however in later years their number was much smaller and their weapons were worse as well.
They should be armed with spears only, but should use normal, square formation.
Tarani also called Judete ( different source)
Peasantsa called to arms. Should use scythes and appear in large units, horde formation. Morale slightly higher than of the average peasantry.
++++++ additional units++++
+ Haiduks,
+ Tatars - the army of Moldavia was using a large number of those - from Budhak horde,
+ Cossacks - your choice which ones.
TRANSYLVANIA
Richer, more western and Hungarian-Romanian faction, sharing some units, but not all.
Boieri
Transylvanian Boyars were much more western in appearance.
These should use PISTOLS and sabres with usual armour as well. Possibly it is not completely realistic, but will give some flavour to the game.
Hungarian Hussars
The 'core' and the majority of the Tansylvanian armies.
Weaponry:
- lance ( 3 meters, hollow, but wasn't so stiff as the Husaria's so could BEND - I am not sure if it is possible to recreate it or if it is even worth trying),
- sabre,
- shield with wing,
- armour and helmet.
You can see it in Polish Armies plate 1 - Pskow 1581 - should be good enough.
Szekely
Szekels were both cavalry and infantry, but it seems more realistic to make them as cavalry.
Armed with spears and axes ( similar to Polish Pancerni in later period - called 'nadziak') + shields and no real armour.
Infantry:
Haiduks
There is plenty of information in Polish roster. HUngarian Haiduks should wear different uniforms and use larger numbers in units. You can give them slightly better close combat capabilities, but it is not so important.
Saxon Militia
Transylvanian Germans were called 'Saxons'.
They provided Transylvanians with reliable infantry - usually town militia.
Should be halberdiers in armour and morions.
++++++++ additionally++++++
Cossacks - your choice,
+ western mercenaries - pikemen, musketeers etc,
+ sometimes even Poles, but I can't suggest anything.
NOTES
ALL cavalry units should get bonus fighting in snow and good stamina ( hardy),
ALL infantry should be experts in hiding in woods, be able to hide in long grass and have bonus when fighting in snow or in woods.
UNIFORMS
Thre were almost none really uniformed units - except Haiduks, Saxon Militia and possibly the Hussars, but there are some features useful to prepare all the models and skins:
- beards - all Wallachians were growing these - possibly it was popular amongst Moldavians and Transylvanians as well,
- large fur caps - the Wallachian cavalryman from POlish Armies ( plate - the siege of Danzig) is a good example,
- skeletons, skulls, devils images on shields were popular amongst the Wallachians - possibly amongst other two as well,
LINK
You know it http://pubwww.srce.hr/husar/
but I want to have it in one place.
I will upgrade the rosters with more suggestions, but rather no more units will be added.
Regards Cegorach
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were they fighting or not ? Were they from Moldavia or from Transylvania/other place ( Cossacks ?) ?
Originally Posted by cegorach1
Re: OiM Balcan factions
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