Unit Addiction

[The_Blacksmith]

Cavalry-wise I like Hellenistic bodyguard cavalry (particularly the Epirote ones; not so much armour as others, but really good stamina for heavy cavalry), Celtic Leuce Epos/Curepos. Again they're cheap but very effective if you use them right.

I totally agree! good stamina for heavy cav is really addictive! and Thessalian Cav can really break the bank with 1000 mnai in unkeep, thats where Curepos reaal gets it right... they are available in many Mare Nostrum regions and have javs (something Thessalian dont have) and they have loads of stamina and a fine charge... they are kinda like the Rider class HA (Thats what i call them: Scythian Riders, Dåhå Riders spear and bow HA's)

[QuintusSertorius]

I totally agree! good stamina for heavy cav is really addictive! and Thessalian Cav can really break the bank with 1000 mnai in unkeep, thats where Curepos reaal gets it right... they are available in many Mare Nostrum regions and have javs (something Thessalian dont have) and they have loads of stamina and a fine charge... they are kinda like the Rider class HA (Thats what i call them: Scythian Riders, Dåhå Riders spear and bow HA's)

This is it for me; I don't really have a use for recruitable heavy cavalry. They're expensive, tire out too fast and so are only good for one or two charges. While my Epirote FM bodyguards always have enough left in the tank to chase down routers. Curepos have lances, meaning they're almost as effective in a charge to the rear, and they can do it all day long.

[Folgore]

I declared war on the Aedui in my Carthage campaign for the sole reason of getting Gaesatae. :D

[Brennus]

For me it would have to be the Leuce Epos and Belgic Minhalt, unstoppable together.

[The_Blacksmith]

This is it for me; I don't really have a use for recruitable heavy cavalry. They're expensive, tire out too fast and so are only good for one or two charges. While my Epirote FM bodyguards always have enough left in the tank to chase down routers. Curepos have lances, meaning they're almost as effective in a charge to the rear, and they can do it all day long.

well... my experience tell me that Curepos have a tendency to die in mass when charging anything heavier than Prodromoi even to the rear... due to the lack of stirups...

thats why i like having 1-2 heavy cav to charge in my stacks...

[vollorix]

Raetic Axemen are my favorite unit, though mostly hired as mercs, they are the most versatile you can deploy anywhere: as line troops, as flankers, to assault of walls, and their stamina rocks too ;)

[QuintusSertorius]

well... my experience tell me that Curepos have a tendency to die in mass when charging anything heavier than Prodromoi even to the rear... due to the lack of stirups...

thats why i like having 1-2 heavy cav to charge in my stacks...

I don't use them to charge other cavalry (other than driving off skirmishing cavalry), that's what my FMs are for. They're for skipping behind the enemy line and throwing javelins in the backs of their infantry, then charging them when they're weakened.

[bobbin]

well... my experience tell me that Curepos have a tendency to die in mass when charging anything heavier than Prodromoi even to the rear... due to the lack of stirups...

It's a bit of a modern myth that you need stirrups to mount an effective charge, a saddle with a high back was the real requirement. Stirrups improved stability some what, but their real strength was that they allowed to user to stand up in the saddle, which is very useful in melee or for throwing javelins.

Regarding the OP: Thracian Peltasts and Bosporan Archers are usually pretty high on my "to get" list.

[Ca Putt]

firstly the Illyrian hippeis, admitavely I don't conquer illyria for that sole purpose but I buy them as soon as they are availible as mercs^^.

then there are (most) balkan troops. its mainly the elites foud there which often "force" me to roleplay one of my Generals is thirsting for glory, takes his "own" troops adds some mercs and runs amok in tracia, as conquering the Getai is actually not part of my regular KH-agenda. tracian prodromoi may not be really superior to normal ones but having them is sort of a prestige thing: hey look everybody else only has nomal prodromoi I've got "special" prodromoi.

last but not least I'd like to mention unique greek colony troops I often cross vast distances to get my hands on.

[The_Blacksmith]

It's a bit of a modern myth that you need stirrups to mount an effective charge, a saddle with a high back was the real requirement. Stirrups improved stability some what, but their real strength was that they allowed to user to stand up in the saddle, which is very useful in melee or for throwing javelins.

Regarding the OP: Thracian Peltasts and Bosporan Archers are usually pretty high on my "to get" list.

I ride horses myself and yes, i have tried riding with a lance, and its hard as hell without stirups but yeah, you're right, a seated sattle would help a great deal or leg armor, to pausible make you heavier and make you more stable is a choice too.. how ever, many medium and light cav rides with a pony sattle (a canvis or leather sattle, strapped to the horse for tight and butt padding)

* some cav like numedian cav rides without anything which im a big admirer off... the first 5-6 years riding as much as they do must make a hell of a sore butt

[moonburn]

kretikoi and thorokitai are both must have i just feel safer having them on my side since they enable me to use the rest of whatever ragtag i can gather in a more flexible way since 1st i can forçe them to come to me (kretikoi) and 2nd the thorokitai never brake

then there´s the lusotannan medium infantry besides cool haircuts and nice looking armour they can hold a batle line wich again enables me the security to manouver around and start my favourite encirclement tactic

[Africanus]

kretikoi

That's definitely my addiction.

All my armies are equipped with a unit of these suckers. Chevron them up a bit, and watch the enemy disappear!