Egypt Not Overpowered?!

[Red Harvest]

It is interesting that the autocalc ratio is often considerably different from what you see on the field (in RTW.) The power bar is sometimes off by 50% from that.

[AntiochusIII]

I thought the knowledge of overpowering chariots in autocalc is a common knowledge already?

In one of my less enlightened, more RTS-oriented "bored" campaigns, I just played Egypt and use only their chariots and autocalc. Nothing stands in my path. Nothing.

The best things the modders could do for both RTW and BI is to remove chariots from all factions, even if that would be historically inaccurate. It is a necessary compromise, otherwise, the chariot-wielding factions would be extremely overpowered compare to their true historical strengths against other AI's.

Historically, though, the Seleucids owned the Ptolemies in war. Period. Their empire was just too unstable--too large and widespread, even multicultural--to put their full effort against Egypt. Always there was a rebellion in some far-off corner of that widespread empire. When they did, they won most of the Syrian wars. Indeed, if memory serves, Antiochus IV even reached Alexandria or something but the Romans demanded that he retreated. But it could be me mistaking...

Their manpower, also, outnumbered Egypt. But they could never ever raise an army out of all that manpower at once--it is logistically impossible. Also, those manpower forces were not the most loyal around. Compare to Rome's loyal allies and its own warlike citizens, the Seleucids were actually at a numerical disadvantage in a long run.

[Emperor Aurelius]

The seleucids made one big mistake :they messed with Rome.


Seleucia decided to attack Greece and Thrace. This prompted a declaration of war by Rome. Seleucids lost all of their terrirotory in Asia Minor and only held on to some terrirtory in the holy land and a few other places.

Did the silver sheilded legionaires really exist though?

[Kraxis]

Did the silver sheilded legionaires really exist though?

Yup, they are called "the men that fought in the Roman style." They were used most often to clear passes and lead assaults. Obviously they were rather good or else they would not have recieved such importance. But that is hardly surprising since they were professionals while the Roman versions were only citizen soldiers.

[Papewaio]

I must admit that I like having a powerful enemy nearby while playing the Parthians.

I am doing my best to protect the Seculids by sending out raiding parties on the Eygptian family members... horse archers can 'assassinate' a charioteer in open combat and the Eastern Infantry are showing up as very fine anti-charioteers on a coin for coin basis.

[Mouzafphaerre]

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The political scheme in my recent Greek campaign is rather interesting and surprisingly balanced;

I killed the Makedonians on a basically defensive blitzkrieg and secured almost all Hellenic provinces eliminating the rebels. Made an early alliance with the Seleukid, which has lasted long and proven fruitful. The Pontes are upon their throat but on more than one occasion I saved their butt without engaging directly. (Bribery. ) They have been in trouble with Egypt too but allied with a surprisingly successful Numidia, and Parthia isn't just sitting ducks either.

The most unreal thing is, Roma and Karthago have been allies for nearly a century now but we're sitting peacefully on the two edges of Sicily with the latter, while the Brutii are now history and the Scipii have one single town left. The Julii are busy with my hairy beyond reason allies in the north.

So, save Makedon and the Brutii (and the Scipii in a couple turns), all having been doomed with the ill fate of messing with Mouzafphaerre the Greeks, everyone is well and alive, none being uneven against another yet.
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