Quote Originally Posted by Watchman
The Samnitici Milites are pretty hardcore though. Around on par with the Dorkim Hatkafa Ibeerim and Pedites Extraordinarii, and around their home regions come with a free two chevrons of experience to boot. I tried an Epirote campaign once and found out hiring just one bunch right at the start pretty much lets you blitz the whole Southern Italy.
I never leave home without my Samnite Heavy Infantry. They're better than the Extraordinarii, and once you get them to silver chevrons, they give you an unmatched solid block of raw defence. Need to pen up some Royal Guard cavalry? Just block 'em up with the Samnites and let the Balearics and everybody else throw their stuff. The Samnites rarely take heavy casualties.

I assaulted a Carthaginian city, and in one tower I had my Samnites, and the other I had the Extraordinarii. I sat back for a bit and waited. I came back to see that both had encountered some Libyan Spearman; the Samnites were faring remarkably while my Extraordinarii were down to 2 men.

Now, I've made it a point to keep them with me at all times. I carry 2 Equites Extraordinarii, 3 Hastati, 3 Principes, 3 Triarii, 4 Samnite infantry, 2 Classical Hoplites, and 2 Balearic Slingers. I smash all.