Why?

[SuperGosc]

I was wondering why Spatra isnt able to recruit spartans at the beginning? I do believe spartans were recruited from sparta before this games starting date. And why doesnt Koinon Hellenon start with any spartans or better hoplitai. Is this for gameplay issues or what?

One more thing, Can anyone please tell me how the hell Koinon Hellenon is suppose to survive in this game? A guide would be appreciated. Thanks!

[Landwalker]

Koinon Hellenon does start with several units of Spartiates, in the form of Spartan general's bodyguard units (unfortunately, with very high upkeep). And, naturally, the Hellenes don't start with the capability to recruit more Spartiates so that the might of Epeiros may properly grind them to dust.

Cheers.

[Sakkura]

Koinon Hellenon does start with spartans (at least one of the family members has spartiatai hoplitai bodyguards).
The reason you can't recruit them from the start is probably balance plus an attempt to keep them rare.

Conquer Krete on the first turn, and collect up all forces to break the inevitable siege on Athens. Then you should be fine, since Makedon also has to worry about Epeiros.

[SuperGosc]

Thanks that helps a lot. One other question though, Why doesnt the eporites attack macadons at the start of the game? From what I know about history, Pyrrhos attacked Macadon. But in the beginning of the game he takes his army back to his capital. WTF is up with that?

[Landwalker]

1) AI movement can't be scripted.
2) The AI gets a substantial financial bonus. Consequently, AI Epeiros is not under the same pressing fiscal burden as the Player Epeiros. When playing Epeiros, you are forced to immediately begin attacking, else wind up buried so far in debt that you have no hope of ever returning. The AI doesn't face this problem, and so can pull back or attack as it desires (why it desires, of course, is an entirely different matter known to none).

Cheers.

[Sakkura]

Thanks that helps a lot. One other question though, Why doesnt the eporites attack macadons at the start of the game? From what I know about history, Pyrrhos attacked Macadon. But in the beginning of the game he takes his army back to his capital. WTF is up with that?

Well it's kind of hard to force the game AI to follow history rigidly. Besides, at least you don't get Pyrrhos going after Sparte (which he did historically).

[SuperGosc]

True, It would be bad for him to come to sparte right away but it makes sooo hard for koinon to get off the ground with macadons FULL attention on them. Even harder when their troops are far far far better then yours at the start of the game. I just think koinon should get better troops at the start.

[Bootsiuv]

I'm happy to hear KH are harder in 1.0. They were too easy in .81. IMO.

[Spoofa]

Gah, as Makedonia ive tried 3 different campaigns on 1.0 and the KH are a SERIOUS threat in the start of the game, moreso then in .81v2. They are an incredible annoyance that if you dont take care of immediately will eat your kingdom alive.

buffing KH?

I think not.

well, at least not from a Mak perspective.

[Landwalker]

Gah, as Makedonia ive tried 3 different campaigns on 1.0 and the KH are a SERIOUS threat in the start of the game, moreso then in .81v2. They are an incredible annoyance that if you dont take care of immediately will eat your kingdom alive.

buffing KH?

I think not.

well, at least not from a Mak perspective.

One of the things 1.0 allegedly incorporated was selective "buffing", such that whatever faction you start as, the nearby rebel armies and garrisons, as well as your immediate AI neighbors, are strengthened. So, if you're Macedon, Epeiros and KH get "buffed" (along with the local Eleutheroi). If you're Pontos, I suspect the Arche Seleukeia armies nearby get "buffed" (along with local Eleutheroi). And so forth. It's supposed to make the early game challenging. God knows it made my Epeiros campaign a hair-raiser right from the start.

Cheers.