Quote Originally Posted by Philipvs Vallindervs Calicvla View Post
OK, that second point isn't true - Roman tier two infantry are a meat grinder, so long as they don't get raked by missile troops.

Here's another thought - DON'T LET YOUR ARMIES GET DEPLETED.

Rome is a paper Tiger, but a tiger still, fight battle during your turn, catch a single horde stack and then retreat to a settlement where the AI can't attack you. In this way you will not have a badly depleted field army, and this will reduce the AI attacks, as your numerical superiority will frighten them off for a while.
I've never got far enough to see how good Roman tier 2 infantry is. I haven't even got as far as unlocking Legio on hard difficulty because I can't afford the 2,500 solidi cost. Every single turn every single solidi is spent repairing the 8 settlements that were sacked while the AI turns were processing because the AI automatically knows where your armies are and which settlements are undefended, and sacks the damn thing.

Here's a good tip for anyone who plays on normal battle difficulty though - if the enemy attacks from the sea and all you have is the basic garrison of basic soldiers + 1 ship with marines, there's an easy way to win. Intercept the enemy general with your ship and ram/board him. Roman marines are ******* badass. Use the whip as soon as they start fighting and they'll kill the enemy general. The rest of his army will already be wavering by the time they hit the beach due to other morale penalties + dead general.