Ave,
I have an idea for a new article which might be helpful.
Please reply with constructive criticism, as this is a work in progress.
I am not aware of an article with the same information (if there is, I will apologize to the author).
Also, could someone please provide relevant pictures?
Feedback, advice and information are more than welcome!
-------------------------------X------------------------------
Campaign/Faction Comparison
For the beginner:
The three Roman factions that are playable at the beginning of the game (before you have unlocked any other factions) are the Julii, the Scipii and the Brutii.
A common question that plagues the new player is: Which faction?
This is indeed a very tough choice, as the three Roman campaigns and families have their disadvantages and advantages. They are outlined below.
The Julii
Summary: The noble Julii have been tasked with exterminating the unwashed barbarians of Gaul, Britannia, Spain and Germania.
They start out with:
Arretium (capital)
Ariminium
Beginning mission:
Take Segesta (easy)
Advantages:
Most of the barbarian armies are not as good compared to the civilized, disciplined legions of Rome. True, the barbarians field powerful early-game and late-game units such as Berserkers, Foresters and British Chariots, but with the right strategy, combined with the hardy Roman troops, a beginner can deal with these problems. The barbarians themselves cannot make siege equipment (although there may be a mod (is there?), which, when enabled, will allow barbarians to recruit ballistae and onagers from captured artillery ranges). Besides, once you gain the upper hand, barbarians flee like the uncivilized savages they are.
Disadvantages:
The barbarian cities are relatively poor and weak. Developing these cities will take some time. If the player so chooses, they can blitzkrieg through the barbarian lands. One problem with this is that the dark forests beyond Roman lands can provide perfect platforms for ambushes and the like. Extreme caution is required (use spies and assassins). Another problem is that, to pacify captured regions, the player will have to garrison their armies in the city, where they can be retrained, but they would not see much action.
The Scipii
Summary: The patrician Scipii family is devoted to one cause: grinding those Carthaginian scum into submission, and if that is not possible, into the desert sands.
They start out with:
Capua (capital)
Messana (on Sicily)
Beginning mission:
Take Syracuse (easy/moderate)
Advantages:
The Scipii are reliant on their navies; their territory is split in two by the Brutii province of Croton. Indeed, their enemy, Carthage, can only be reached by sea. The beginning Carthaginian troops are not that hard to deal with. However, a Scipii player must beware: the Carthaginians field powerful units like the Men of The Sacred Band, and Elephants. Again, these units can be dealt with, through clever use of mercenaries, and Roman units like the Incendiary Pig (which scares elephants). The mercenaries in the region are powerful, but expensive, however, if the player has enough money to afford such troops, they are generally well worth it.
Disadvantages:
Northern Africa is a desert environment, a harsh place that Romans are not used to. They could tire easily when wearing armour, especially when fighting under the cruel Sahara sun. Another problem is that Carthage is the only city in Africa that is worth the effort. Given time and resources, a player could develop the myriad of African settlements, but, like the Julii, that would take a long time. If the Scipii sweep Carthage out of the way, Numidia will most likely have been conquered or simply be ignored. The player can make a move to seize the rich heartlands of Egypt, which would take the Egyptians by surprise, but the Nile is a long distance from Sicilia.
The Brutii
Summary: The Brutii know that it is their pre-ordained duty to seize the wealth and riches of Greece, Anatolia, the Levant and possibly Egypt.
They start out with:
Tarentum (capital)
Croton
Beginning mission:
Take Apollonia (easy)
Advantages:
Unlike the other Roman families, the Brutii are perfectly positioned to claim the riches of Greece for the glory of Rome. The Greek peninsula, the first target, is very wealthy. Besides, it is only a boat trip away from the Brutii homeland. The legionary troops (remember, any person who fights for Rome is a legionary, regardless of whether they served in the Camillan or Marian legion.) are quite effective against the hoplites and pikemen of Makedonia and the Hellenic League. Even Spartan Hoplites can be dealt with using a few units of Hastati and one unit of Equites.
Disadvantages:
While the Roman troops are adequately armed to deal with the Hellenic way of war, the Greek/Macedonian/Pontic/Seleucid/Egyptian troops are, on average, better than the uncouth barbarians, so even an experienced player has to be careful with his/her troops, whatever quality they are. The Brutii have to face the toughest combination of troops; in the Greek stage, tough hoplites, pikemen and decent cavalry. In the Anatolian/Levantine stage; chariots and powerful cavalry. If the player chooses to fight Dacia or Britain (who will probably have rampaged and conquered Germania), they will face weaker troops and poor fortifications, but the barbarian lands are atrociously poor.
-------------------------------X------------------------------
That's all for today, please read, review and comment!
I will also try to do other factions and their comparisons, sometime in the future. I would like some information and context for the other comparisons from people who have played through the other factions.
Much appreciated.
Thanks,
Mons Badonicus
I have an idea for a new article which might be helpful.
Please reply with constructive criticism, as this is a work in progress.
I am not aware of an article with the same information (if there is, I will apologize to the author).
Also, could someone please provide relevant pictures?
Feedback, advice and information are more than welcome!
-------------------------------X------------------------------
Campaign/Faction Comparison
For the beginner:
The three Roman factions that are playable at the beginning of the game (before you have unlocked any other factions) are the Julii, the Scipii and the Brutii.
A common question that plagues the new player is: Which faction?
This is indeed a very tough choice, as the three Roman campaigns and families have their disadvantages and advantages. They are outlined below.
They start out with:
Arretium (capital)
Ariminium
Take Segesta (easy)
Most of the barbarian armies are not as good compared to the civilized, disciplined legions of Rome. True, the barbarians field powerful early-game and late-game units such as Berserkers, Foresters and British Chariots, but with the right strategy, combined with the hardy Roman troops, a beginner can deal with these problems. The barbarians themselves cannot make siege equipment (although there may be a mod (is there?), which, when enabled, will allow barbarians to recruit ballistae and onagers from captured artillery ranges). Besides, once you gain the upper hand, barbarians flee like the uncivilized savages they are.
The barbarian cities are relatively poor and weak. Developing these cities will take some time. If the player so chooses, they can blitzkrieg through the barbarian lands. One problem with this is that the dark forests beyond Roman lands can provide perfect platforms for ambushes and the like. Extreme caution is required (use spies and assassins). Another problem is that, to pacify captured regions, the player will have to garrison their armies in the city, where they can be retrained, but they would not see much action.
They start out with:
Capua (capital)
Messana (on Sicily)
Take Syracuse (easy/moderate)
The Scipii are reliant on their navies; their territory is split in two by the Brutii province of Croton. Indeed, their enemy, Carthage, can only be reached by sea. The beginning Carthaginian troops are not that hard to deal with. However, a Scipii player must beware: the Carthaginians field powerful units like the Men of The Sacred Band, and Elephants. Again, these units can be dealt with, through clever use of mercenaries, and Roman units like the Incendiary Pig (which scares elephants). The mercenaries in the region are powerful, but expensive, however, if the player has enough money to afford such troops, they are generally well worth it.
Northern Africa is a desert environment, a harsh place that Romans are not used to. They could tire easily when wearing armour, especially when fighting under the cruel Sahara sun. Another problem is that Carthage is the only city in Africa that is worth the effort. Given time and resources, a player could develop the myriad of African settlements, but, like the Julii, that would take a long time. If the Scipii sweep Carthage out of the way, Numidia will most likely have been conquered or simply be ignored. The player can make a move to seize the rich heartlands of Egypt, which would take the Egyptians by surprise, but the Nile is a long distance from Sicilia.
They start out with:
Tarentum (capital)
Croton
Take Apollonia (easy)
Unlike the other Roman families, the Brutii are perfectly positioned to claim the riches of Greece for the glory of Rome. The Greek peninsula, the first target, is very wealthy. Besides, it is only a boat trip away from the Brutii homeland. The legionary troops (remember, any person who fights for Rome is a legionary, regardless of whether they served in the Camillan or Marian legion.) are quite effective against the hoplites and pikemen of Makedonia and the Hellenic League. Even Spartan Hoplites can be dealt with using a few units of Hastati and one unit of Equites.
While the Roman troops are adequately armed to deal with the Hellenic way of war, the Greek/Macedonian/Pontic/Seleucid/Egyptian troops are, on average, better than the uncouth barbarians, so even an experienced player has to be careful with his/her troops, whatever quality they are. The Brutii have to face the toughest combination of troops; in the Greek stage, tough hoplites, pikemen and decent cavalry. In the Anatolian/Levantine stage; chariots and powerful cavalry. If the player chooses to fight Dacia or Britain (who will probably have rampaged and conquered Germania), they will face weaker troops and poor fortifications, but the barbarian lands are atrociously poor.
-------------------------------X------------------------------
That's all for today, please read, review and comment!
I will also try to do other factions and their comparisons, sometime in the future. I would like some information and context for the other comparisons from people who have played through the other factions.
Much appreciated.
Thanks,
Mons Badonicus
[This message has been edited by Mons Badonicus (edited 09-06-2015 @ 09:19 PM).]