Pontus Gameplay Information

Summary:

Pontus is a small faction in Asia Minor. While their army is relatively weak at the low initial development levels of Asia Minor, Asia Minor itself is a relatively easy part of the map to take and hold. Trade and growth are relatively good around the area and Rhodes, Crete and the Seleucids are soon ripe for the picking. Tactically, Pontus are an eastern faction. Expect to field a mobile army of mainly missile units. There are Macedonian-influenced Pikemen though, allowing a solid infantry line to be made when dealing with the western armies and to provide more strategic options.


Overall Unit Summary:

Pontus have mostly the basic eastern units, but with skirmisher cavalry instead of mounted archers. Scythed Chariots and Chariot Archers are also available, allowing further flexibility. The infantry is a little ticklish at times though; The early infantry suffers from poor morale and a lack of stopping power, although Eastern Infantry are very good at stopping enemy chariots and family members. Pikemen and Cappadocian Lancers are available later on though, allowing more Seleudid-influenced tactics to be used to good effect.


Initial Imperial Campaign Settlements:

Sinope (Capital, Large Town), Mazaka (Large Town).


Trainable Units:

Note that these units represent what can be trained if the needed buildings are present. Units in Brackets are only available in Multiplayer or Custom Battles.

Peasants, Eastern Infantry, Phalanx Pikemen, Bronze Shield Pikemen, Peltasts, Archers, Pontic Light Cavalry, Pontic Heavy Cavalry, Cappadocian Lancers, General’s Bodyguard, General’s Armoured Bodyguard, Onagers, Scythed Chariots, Chariot Archers, (Cilician Pirates), (Thracian Mercenaries)


Constructable Buildings:

Note that these buildings chains are not all that influence the ability to construct them. Population and existing buildings are also factor.

Building TypeTownLarge TownMinor CityLarge CityHuge City
Core BuildingsGovernor’s HouseGovernor’s VillaGovernor’s PalaceCouncillors’ ChambersRoyal Palace
WallsWooden PalisadeWooden WallStone WallLarge Stone WallEpic Stone Wall
BarracksBarracksMilitia BarracksCity BarracksArmy Barracks 
Stables StablesCavalry StablesElite Cavalry Stables 
Ranges Practice RangeArchery RangeCatapult Range 
TradersTraderMarketBazaarGrand BazaarMerchant’s Quarter
Smithies BlacksmithArmourer Foundry
Ports PortShipwrightDockyard 
FarmsLand ClearanceCommunal FarmingCrop RotationIrrigation 
RoadsRoads    
MinesMinesMines+1   
Academies  AcademyScriptoriumLudus Magnus
Execution Squares  Execution SquareSecret Police HQSecret Police Network
Caravans  Trade CaravanSpice RoadSilk Road
Temples of GovernorsShrine to ZeusTemple of ZeusLarge Temple of ZeusAwesome Temple of Zeus 
Temples of AphroditeShrine to AphroditeTemple of AphroditeLarge Temple of AphroditeAwesome Temple of Aphrodite 
Temples of ViolenceShrine to HerculesTemple of Herculeslarge Temple of HerculesAwesome Temple of Hercules