PBeM For PBeM Noobs

**Braden** · 03-16-2006, 17:56

Armies - Don’t get me wrong, I understand the driving factors behind what created the armies currently in the game. It’s just now, as we’re being so successful in beating back our enemies and expanding, it could be the perfect time to trim them down.

Point taken about the Silver Shield Phalanx’s. I wonder how far away from getting Silver Shield cavalry we are…..

Yup, can build them now (sure I spotted them somewhere in a recruitment list) – they will be essential to taking cities as intact as possible.

Useful mercs will remain always – like Cretans.

PDF – ok, as a compliment I agree. A few page effects and it does actually look really nice as well. Pictures – yours were perfect size, but I can’t testify that I’ll be as successful as you at getting the scale right (I’m a bit of a trial and error man).

**Braden** · 03-17-2006, 11:29

Phalanx Pikemen vs Silver Shield Pikemen.

The only real difference between them is the improved morale and stamina of the Silver Shields. Is that worth the extra cost and a two turn build? If Legionaries are available then certainly No. A Phalanx pikeman front line supported by some units of Legionaries gains as the Legionaries are just better at fighting.

So, building progresses on Legionaries where possible. Silver Shield pikemen will be used where no other alternative is available and then only a few units scattered about to anchor a battle line. Besides the Legionaries are cheaper.

**Menelmacar** · 03-17-2006, 14:19

Hi there!

Finally just got promoted to full membership, which means that now I can actually post here rather than having to ask around for others to talk for me.

So, here I am, ready to actively join in. Just got the pm from Braden, so whenever things start for me, I'll hop in. Braden, do take your time, I might have some extra shifts at work next week, so I probably wouldn't start playing before the weekend anyway.

Happy to be here at last!

- Menelmacar

**Braden** · 03-19-2006, 00:43

Just to update everyone. Its the Winter of 225BC and good old Demetrius has just past on at 73. The Romans are pushing back against us now but we're still kicking their butts, we have 43 regions and armies in production - btw its all three roman factions in it now!

**Braden** · 03-20-2006, 13:45

Please note that I have placed a Battle Report in The Mead Hall:

https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showt...24#post1097224

Although it is from this campaign and I am only half way through my tenure, I thought it appropriate to put this full battle report/story on the forum now.

**econ21** · 03-21-2006, 16:05

Very nice story, Braden.

And a good idea to focus on a key battle - sometimes our battle reports end up just being a catalogue of details. Focussing on just a few makes for a more satisfying read.

Did you manage to take any screenshots? I often forget in the most heated battles (which general wants to turn photographer at a critical moment?).

**Braden** · 03-21-2006, 23:30

Sorry but no screen shots, all was panning out to be a normal...I win hands down battle until the Brutii turned up only meters from my rear! I just didnt have time for screen shots (I never use Pause) so I went into a high-descriptive narration for the battle in the hope that it can be visualised ok anyway.

Most of my write up will be fairly normal aka "Kings Diary" style but peppered with a few indepth battle reports around the key encounters.

Glad you liked it. I laced it with an undertone that you may or may not have got, which I thought was appropriate given the history of the main characters involved......

**econ21** · 03-22-2006, 00:55

Well, I did wonder about the undertone - I could not recall if the two leads were father and son, but I guess not.

It's fun when unexpected stuff happens in a battle, like the Brutii appearing suddenly behind you. I recall a MTW battle in a snow storm where I could see nothing and somehow got disorientated, so I could not work read the mini-map correctly. I only realised almost too late that my whole army was facing the wrong way, with the enemy bearing down on me and within spitting distance!

**Braden** · 03-22-2006, 10:15

The campaign is coming along nicely after the sudden Roman-alliance onslaught. They really did catch our Empire with our pants down, with armies just not up to fighting a post-Marius Roman army.

Pulled off a very close victory last night where the game gave me hardly a chance as I was facing TWO Julii Preatorian Cohorts + 1 x archer and 1 x Roman Cavalry support. My forces were just 1 x Levy Pikemen, 1 x Phalanx pikemen, 1 x Militia cavalry, 2 x archer units + General.

Needless to say my small army was utterly devastated but the General really carried the day, outflanking and continuously charging the enemy as the militia cavalry teased units out of formation. A really tough fight, but a needed one as the Julii army was outflanking my main fighting armies in Greece and was on track to besiege Tessalonica or Apollinia or Larissa all of which had little defence. It was funny to see 20 Greek Archers chase down a broken Preatorian Cohort though…….

So it falls to good old (well, 26 year old) Zoilos (now I think a eight or nine star general!) to push the massed Julii and Brutii forces back to Italy.

We’ve also started pushing back the Scipii from Libya – first victory last night using one of the 100% Seleucid armies using Silver Shield Pikes AND Legionnaires.

Still….loads more Romans where they came from and as I’ve only got 5 turns left (2.5 years) it will certainly fall to the next person to finish this one.

Currently we have 43 regions under control but have not broken into Italy yet.

**Gaulgath** · 04-04-2006, 23:21

I have been PMed, and I will now take my turn on the PBM.

EDIT: Errr, what's the file name?

**econ21** · 04-05-2006, 00:54

Originally Posted by Gaulgath

Errr, what's the file name?

BradenSeleucids221.zip

**Gaulgath** · 04-12-2006, 00:10

Ah, thanks for that! I have downloaded it and things are going well! Right now I'm focusing on destroying the Julii so I can get to Italy and then destroy those foolish Romans!