A few questions about the Sabean forces

**Theodotos I** · 02-18-2008, 18:25

First of all the Aithiopikoi Toxotai, or Ethiopian archers: their unit card describes them as using a club, and indeed, the Eleutheroi Ethiopians do have a club. However, the ones you can recruit in your factional MIC appear to be armed with a knife. Whatever. They’re still good troops.
Second, what is the status of the Ethiopian regionals? I’ve heard that the Aithiopikoi Machairophoroi, or the Ethiopian Swordsmen, had been cut from the Ethiopian provinces, but they’re still in the rebel armies. Also, the Aithiopikoi Agema. Rumor has it that they have been cut for historical reasons, but they’re still in Custom Battle. How about it, guys? Are they in, or are they out? Errant’s excellent guide for the Sabyn campaign mentions all these units, but although his guide is labeled Sabyn Strategy Guide for EB 1.0, parts of it clearly refer to earlier builds, causing a degree of confusion in what otherwise is an excellent work.
All told, the Sabyn unit line-up seems somewhat unfinished, or perhaps I’m doing something wrong. I’d be interested in getting the low-down on what’s really going on. Thanks a lot, guys. For the first time since I bought RTW Gold, I feel like I’m getting the experience I expected when I bought it. Good work!

**Teleklos Archelaou** · 02-18-2008, 20:06

We basically don't have a faction coordinator for them at this point. The guy we had left modding many moons ago and our other man on them is not around much anymore either. I do text and culture research on them, but I'm not any good with unit work, so I can't really answer those questions you have. Just wanted to give some background on why it's not easy to get good responses on this faction. (plus the sources are more difficult to hunt down for them than most all our other factions)

**Watchman** · 02-18-2008, 20:30

Far as I know/can tell:
- Aithiopikoi Agema should be totally goners by the next version.
- Saba should be able to recruit all the Ethiopian units, plus the Egyptian Machimoi ones as well. Likely be an EDB gaffe.
- beats me about the archers. Seems to be a texture allocation gaffe, since the Ethiopians share model with the shortsword-wielding Sabaean archers (who use the merc slot).

**Watchman** · 02-19-2008, 02:20

Actually, ixnay that last one. I tested and it turned out the Saba and Ptolemaic skins for the Ethiopian archers for some reason use shortswords, while the regional and Rebel skins have clubs... all on the same unit stats, natch.