Roma Surrectum : Official Preview
A lot of work has been done since our first release, with several factions being heavily worked on and many new ideas implemented. Here we showcase just some of the great results. As this is only a preview, understand that some of the unit names are not finalised, and may change.
*Click on the Images to Enlarge*
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The Getae
Overlooked in the first release of Roma Surrectum, this promises to change. The faction has had a major overhaul; not only re-skinned units but also completely brand new units.
Existing (re-skinned) Units
Archers
Spear Warband
Axemen
Falxmen
Bastarnae
Barbarian Cavalry
Getic Cavalry (medium Cavalry)
Scythian Lancers
Getic Noble Cavalry
New Units
Skirmishers
Drawn from the fierce tribes of the Getae, such as the Agriani, Dii, Carpi and various other highland tribes, they are fierce warriors that are rightly feared for their fighting skills.
They are perfectly suited to ambushing and skirmishing, but can also join in the main battle as long as the situation merits it – using their deadly rhomphaia to great effect; but their lack of armour does make them vulnerable to prolonged combat and missile fire. The rhomphaia, similar to the falx, is a barbaric weapon easily capable of cutting off limbs in one blow. It was this lethal capability that caused the Romans to issue new types of armour, helmets, and stronger arm guards.
Their main role, however, will be in harassing and disrupting enemy formations; able to cause a large number of casualties if the enemy is either not responsive enough or even makes the mistake of underestimating these men. They are, however, vulnerable to cavalry and would be greatly aided by close cavalry support; should the worse happen.
Chosen Archers
These are fine bowmen who have perfect their skills in numerous battles – not just through necessity and hunting like other archers. The Getae could produce quality archers easily the match for other ‘barbarian’ archers, no doubt a result of the influence of nearby steppe tribes, like the Scythians and Sarmatians.
Well armoured, including a finely made mail coat and protective helmet, they are less vulnerable to counter attack and will out last most foot-based opponents in a prolonged skirmish.
Getic Horse Archers
Numerous conflicts with the steppe tribes to the North and East caused some of the Getae tribes to adopt the use of mounted archers. Learning from their foes, these Getae soon became competent horse archers, fiercely proud of their own cavalry heritage. Such horse archers are rightly feared for the devastation they can so efficiently shower upon a slower and more cumbersome enemy.
However, it must be remembered that they have adopted this style of warfare through necessity – to face the fierce Scythians and Sarmatian tribes; they do not “learn to ride before they can walk” as the warriors of the steppe might and so are not as skilled as the Sarmatian equivalents. Never comprising a mainstay in the armies of the Getae, they are also fewer in number than might be expected, considering their lethally versatile role.
Nevertheless, they are still skilled warriors. Deadly and swift, they can decimate an enemy army and rip more heavily armed opponents apart.
Mounted Skirmishers
Though preferring to fight on foot, the Getae also fielded effective cavalry forces as well. These men, though essentially filling the same role as other mounted skirmishers, are better equipped and more experienced in battle.
Not only can these men afford horses, but can also equip themselves with higher quality weapons, and what little armour such units choose to carry. Coupled with their greater experience in warfare, these units are also a match for most light cavalry and even some medium cavalry - if used tactically. These men carry the rhomphaia, should the need arise to use it; though awkward to use in close combat and on horseback, the main intention is for use in hacking down routing opposition.
Hard fighting, swift and manoeuvrable, they will perfectly compliment any force: perfectly able to use hit-and-run tactics, skirmish, butcher fleeing foes or even to drive down lightly armed opponents.
Getic Phalanx-Spearmen
These Spearmen are drawn from among the more Hellenized tribes of the Dacians and Thracians. Able to form a phalanx, these men are far more flexible than their Hellenic counterparts and can just as readily fight in close combat – something the individualism of tribal conflict has more than prepared them for.
Well armoured, they can hold their own against most opponents, but it must be remembered that they lack the quality armour that other nations and richer members of the tribe have. They also carry a large wooden shield and still have a preference for the longer Celtic-style sword.
Dii Warriors
The Dii are a particularly ferocious tribe from the Rhodope Mountains in the northern Balkans, who rejoice in man-to-man combat. Some scribes would have it that there are no fiercer men in battle, and they are a formidable resource for any commander: they are highly unlikely to break and run. Perhaps the description given by Herodotus concerning the Thracians is most fitting for these men; who believe "To live by war and plunder is of all things the most glorious".
In the Peloponnesian War, Sitalces - King of the powerful Thracian Odrysian Kingdom, and ally of the Athenians - employed these men in his army (for they were, of course, independent from the Odrysian Kingdom); and they were described by Thucydides as the most fierce and warlike of the men in his army.
Their weapon of choice - the rhomphaia - is a cruel looking, curved blade sharpened on the inner edge, like a sickle. They are also armed with javelins, and they can be used as peltasts in a role which they have proved themselves before (historically defeating the Theban cavalry in battle using peltast tactics) . Each Dii warrior also carries a large wooden shield, which combined with his helmet and breast plate offers both protection and flexibility.
Often tattooed and with dyed hair, the only concern with such battle-hungry fighters is that they are liable to fling themselves into the fray at the earliest opportunity.
Tarabostae Swordsmen
The Tarabostae are the nobility of the Dacian tribal society. They can, as a result of their wealth and status, afford the best equipment, - such as their iron scale armour which offers valuable protection; while being flexible enough to allow them to wield their swords. Though most can afford a good war horse, they choose to fight on foot as a sign of their bravery; eager as they are to prove why they hold their privileged position in the tribe.
However, as often happens with the opportunistic nobility of most cultures, it is not unknown for conflict to arise between these men and the King; the latter feeling (sometimes justifiably!) threatened by the power and wealth these men hold.
Despite this, any Getic ruler would appreciate the presence of these men; they are keen, experienced, and mostly loyal fighters who will probably have something to gain (or lose) from battle. Such is the reputation of these warriors; that their very presence on the battle field inspires nearby troops to deeds of valour.
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The Gauls
The Gauls have also been improved with an overhaul of the units’ skins:
Spear Warband
Swordsmen
Heavy Spearmen
Naked Fanatics
Tribal Warriors & Belgae Milnah swordsmen
Skirmishers, Slingers & Forester Warband
Gallic light cavalry, Noble cavalry & Generals Armoured Body Guard
And finally British Chariots. (These are only recruitable in Britain).
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The Treasury
In the future releases of Roma Surrectum you will find that playing as any non-barbarian faction (as well as the Greek Cities), there will be a new building in your capital - The Treasury. Capturing your enemies treasury, you are able to pillage it (by destroying the building) and there-by gaining a large sum of money. You can see this in the picture above (N.B. The image shown and description may change for release)
All this, of course, depends upon what faction's capital you have conquered. Carthage's treasury will offer a large sum - revenues collected from her mighty trading empire. The Seleucids will offer such a huge amount that they have two treasuries, one for the East and West of their vast empire (and the one shown above is the lesser of the two...). Or, picking on one of the little guys, like the Bosporan Kingdom or Syracuse - you will find that there treasury only contains a relatively modest amount.
This adds a new strategic element to the importance of capital cities - by capturing one not only do you deprive your enemy of a valuable military and economic base but you also get the added bonus of being able to take the wealth from their treasury. This also affects you - if your economy and finances are doing terrible; or military losses are proving too hard to replace, you could take the critical decision to use the funds of your treasury...but be warned there are severe economic and military repercussions for that particular city...so your treasury should only be "destroyed" as a last resort. (Trusting that you lot wouldn't even think of cheating, and destroy the building pointlessly, I won’t say exactly what will happen.... but you have been warned...)
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And to end, a sneak preview of the very next preview, here’s a picture of one of the Unique Greek City Hoplites. I’ll leave you to guess what city it’s from, shouldn’t be too hard. More details, including an explanation of the concept of the ‘Unique Greek City Hoplites’, as well as more brand new additions to be revealed in the next preview. Hope you enjoyed this one!
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Credits:
Tone, who has invested a lot of time in skinning these units; and has produced a great deal of fine work
Saniol for his great horse archer, Tarabostae, heavy cavalry and Falxmen models
Lusted for use of his superb Dii Warriors
Webbird for his Gaul unit models
Spirit of Rob for his Spartan model used to create the above Hoplite
SquidSK for making the Treasury idea a possibility
The EB team for the use of their overhand-spear horse animation
The RTR team for use of their Gallic Peltast Longshield model (used in British Chariot)
Thank you all!
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Planned changes in the next Patch:
Do not expect the above in the next update of Roma Surrectum, nope, you will have to make do with 'Patch9' that includes the following changes and fixes, many based on your important feedback:
- Temple bonuses and bonuses in general going down instead of up.
- Late General family members appearing before Marian Reforms.
- Fixed a number of recruitment issues where a faction should've been able to recruit units but couldn't (Egypt in particular).
- Because RS has so many Temples, changed headings to just say 'Shrine, Temple, etc.)
- Reworked recruitment and unit costs, as well as more adjustments and 'fine tuning' to the economy.
- Placed all factions in 'best known' historical postions at the start of the Campaign on both maps.
- A number of pathfinding fixes to both Maps by Northern Ranger.
- Several Legion AOR's changed so that the later Legions will be available in Italy and their more distant AOR's.
- New ways for Rome to recruit 'Auxilia' and 'Equestrian' units in non-AOR areas, which more historically reflects the Roman Military.
- Global '1' turn recruitment up to the point where more 'elite' units become available. Elite units, such as the Legions and all faction's higher end units will remain mostly '0' turn recruitment, but they will be limited as to where they can be recruited. This change was necessary to keep the AI from striping it's cities of population early in the campaign, and to slow down expansion.
- The 'Free People', both factions that represent them, have been re-adjusted to be more aggressive in protecting themselves. (May still need adjusting here and there.) They were especially weak in the east and south.
- Fixed issue where the 'Slave' faction couldn't recruit any of its better units.
- Replaced a few skins and unit cards, and fixed wrong animations for several units.
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Roma Surrectum - Building an Empire
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Down with the enemies of Byzantium!
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