Are the Romans too Powerful?

[Stuperman]

this whole discussion stating essentially "they've beaten everyone in history they should be doing so in game" is flawed IMO and this is why:

a) In "real" history the Romans faced defeat inumerable times (Pyrhus, Hanibal, Celtiberian&Gaulish&Germanic&Balkan Tribes, Carrae, Teutoberg Ward and many others battles lost) - they learned from it though and adapted their style and equipment, and this adaptability gave them an edge. Their battles were nowhere easy or won before fighting actually happened. This is not accounted for in the game, as their units are the best in every "era" by default.

Most of the battles you have listed were lost due to poor leadership on the roman side, or military genius on the behalf of the roman opposition. In generally all situations, man to man, the romans were MUCH better trained and disciplined, especially after the marius (marian?) reforms.

b) From a gameplay perspective it is absolutely wrong to give all winning cards in one team - the game is no fun then. All factions should have strengths and weaknesses in the field giving overall equal chances of success and this is poorly implemented in RTW (although attempted) as the Roman units can beat the equivalent of most other factions in the field and also field the best units in every department , which is boring and historically inaccurate.

The romans (in game) do have a few ahistorical units (urban cohorts, high end cav), but I wouldn't say they have all the wining cards, Cataphracts(sp) are the best cav, pharos bowmen, cretian archer and forester warband are all better missle units. Spartans, Bastarnae, beserkers, and Sacred Band can all beat post marian armies. Scutarii/spanish mercs and most phalanx units can beat pre marian armies relitively easily.

Some factions (carthage) are grossly underpowered but that is really for game play reasons and Vanilla Balance mod ( https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=79547 ) helps fix that if it really bugs you that much.

The Romans had no archery or equastrian traditions they were terrible horseman and ineffective with the bow - they've always relied on mercenaries and auxiliaries for this.

Many Thanks

Noir

Not going to touch the horsemen one, but after the reforms the archer units avaiable to the romans are called archer auxillia.

Thanks

Stuperman