Conquering the Romans rather than the Macedonians?

**Calypze** · 12-06-2007, 21:21

I wonder if it is a viable strategy to - as the Epeirotes - wage a full-out war against the Romans early on, instead of against the Macedonians and KH. Or are the Romans simply too strong for the Epeirotes early on?

**Hax** · 12-06-2007, 21:55

It's not that difficult to battle Romans if you know the proper way. Wear them out with slingers, then pin them with your Phalangitai and finish 'em off with Thorakitai or Hippeis.

**Dayve** · 12-07-2007, 06:42

Originally Posted by Elphir

It's not that difficult to battle Romans if you know the proper way. Wear them out with slingers, then pin them with your Phalangitai and finish 'em off with Thorakitai or Hippeis.

It's not as simple as that though. Thorakitai aren't available at the start and cavalry is very expensive due to the fact that unless you disband half of your army you go into debt on turn 2.

I think it would be possible to steamroll the Romans early on though. They seem to create only Rorari, which are easy enough to kill. If you bring over your army from Greece and have Pyrrhus(sp) himself lead the invasion then it'll be a doddle. Just defeat the small legion from Arpi, take the city, then take Capua and you have them on their knees. Their starting army is weak when controlled by the AI but strong when controlled by a human player.

Don't expect to hold your two Greek cities for very long though. Perhaps you'll get lucky and the Maks and Greeks will fight it out with each other and leave you alone, perhaps you'll not be so lucky and Makedonia will hit your Greek cities with one of their starting armies.

Just ship Pyrrhus over to Italy and see how it goes, what have you got to lose?

**anubis88** · 12-07-2007, 13:57

That should keep him away from argos.

I conquered both the romans and macedonia with the epirotes in 2 separate campaigns. Both of them are a lot of fun

**Caelus** · 12-07-2007, 18:49

I tried this approach this morning. I have not yet conquered all of Italy and the Romans are still alive. However they are certainly on their last leg and I am starting to work my way out of debt.

I took Rome in the winter of 271 BC after a heroic victory outside of the city (they sent a relief army in the autumn) and an assault in the winter.

Actually this appears to be the best approach in 1.0 due to the increased strength of the Makedonian starting army. The last two tries at an Epeiros campaign I ended up either loosing (in battle, not the campaign) or running into serious difficulties against the Maks. This is in contrast to my easy victories against them in the previous version.

The Maks haven’t even tried to attack my cities in Epeiros. Even if I lose them, so what? Italy is so incredible rich and secure I should have no problem organizing a return. Taras being a homeland city I can train factional troops there, and I will also have access to Samnites.

**LorDBulA** · 12-07-2007, 22:29

It's not that difficult to battle Romans if you know the proper way. Wear them out with slingers, then pin them with your Phalangitai and finish 'em off with Thorakitai or Hippeis.

Proper ways to fight Romans is to bring Elephants.

**Hax** · 12-08-2007, 00:41

Massive danger: When I conquered Italy as Epeiros (in my AAR campaign) I noticed that Roma was 3000 in debt every turn. I finally abandoned Italy, because I hated it so much.

Now I only control Taras and Rhegion. And Messana. And almost Lilibeo.

**Basileus Seleukeia** · 12-08-2007, 11:53

You mean the city of Roma? Screw the numbers udner the city's name, they are worthless. No city produces debth. It's just that Roma has a high population and therefore pays a lot more money for your military.

**quackingduck** · 12-08-2007, 23:08

on my epiros campaign i didnt disband anyone at the start and "steamrolled" the romans and maks.

**Constantine the Great** · 12-09-2007, 05:09

In my Epeirote campaign, I regret not going after the Romans at the beginning. I went for the Maks, and managed to beat them afte a long war, but I've turned around to find Roman very strong, and now I'm facing an incredibely difficult war against them. Wipe them out early, before they start spamming "Elite Infantry of Italian Allies"

**Sygrod** · 12-09-2007, 16:29

Just for laughs and because I kept CTDing the same battle in my Pontic campaign over 7 times and needed a break, I started an Epeirote campaign. First turn I merged the two armies at Pella and stormed the city. I then turned south to the next mak city and did the same on the next turn, loosing all my Elephants but two. I had disbanded some troops in Epeiros proper and recruited 3 slinger units, before going into debt. Makedonia agreed to peace and the two conquests along with my reduced elephant herd brought positive cash flow. Taras was strengthened and the elephants sent over there. After repelling a roman attack, I marched an army quickly to the North and took that city (can't remember the name right now). The campaign will continue in Italy until the romans are just a small tribe.

**The General** · 12-09-2007, 19:40

Originally Posted by Basileus Seleukeia

You mean the city of Roma? Screw the numbers udner the city's name, they are worthless. No city produces debth. It's just that Roma has a high population and therefore pays a lot more money for your military.

This seems to be hard to understand for some beginners, for example, my brother, who hadn't played Total War games before, used to constantly wonder why some of his cities (and most often the -capital-) were producing debt, even when I had told him once or twice.

I think he's finally got it now, after maybe three campaigns (one almost finished, and the third he's playing)... <.<