These units arent very special, and arent generally worth the money otherwise. Heavy cavalry are an excellent tool for a commander, and well able to break lesser opponents. Sarmatians, like the Scythians, were a group of tribes. Javelins and swords are eloquent in these raiders' hands. Another great unit in the early game that turns to mediocrity in the middle to late game. You really do not want a bunch of twelve-hitpoint beasts going amok amid your own lines, trampling your men. Armour is a rare sight on a tribal warrior, and a frightening one too. But other bands lived on, until Pompeius came with an almost universal imperium upon the sea and swept the Mediterranean Sea of Pirates once and for all. Their axes can crush armour as easily as chopping wood. Unlike other horsemen who used lances or swords to strike their foes, the Numidians excelled at throwing javelins. They are useful for scouting and for running down fleeing cowards, or turning a flank in the early game, but not much else. Few generals consider money spent on horse archers a wasteful expense. Xenophon and his ten thousand were mercenary hoplites. Samnite mercenaries may be found throughout Middle and Southern Italia. These units all basically serve the purpose of artificially bolstering your ranks. Not recommended overall, especially not for the price. Some warriors fight not for pay but in the hope of bettering their lot. Citizens who fight mounted mercenaries, able to hold their own in melee. Employed as mobile missileers, they excelled. They were considered a Germanic tribe, though they had migrated from modern Poland to the Carpathian Basin and Middle Danube region. These light cavalry are ideally suited to hit-and-run attacks, and the pursuit of routers. Heavy Cavalry is always good to have, and these Mercenaries make very effective additions to your own. Mercenaries are an effective, yet expensive unit type, that can make or break your army. They are honestly more trouble then they are worth. Keep them safe. Broken enemies know it is better to flee than face riders who will not spare their lives. Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a73d34f04785fd712b6c3d55d089d14f" );document.getElementById("c08a1a06c7").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Notice the double hit points- these are hardy warriors! The usual ratio is four units of infantry to one of cavalry in any given area they inhabit. Theyre numbers can create an effective meat-shield in a Siege Defense, but you can also disperse them inside your cities for a small population boost. Bedouins come in two varieties- the sword-wielding warrior, and the archer. In fact, a scheme by Philip of using the Bastarnae to rid him of the Dardani- another Balkan tribe- indirectly brought Rome into conflict with Macedon and ended that kingdom at Pydna in 168 BCE. The greatest skirmishers of Messapia, handpicked by their king.
Italian warriors with Gaulish fury, known for their skill in battle. Living, breathing war machines, elephants require special attention if they are to be used effectively. Mounted skirmishers are a useful mercenary force for the wily general. Description: Bastarnae Mercenaries are almost identical to Thracian Mercenaries, with two exceptions. They are most seldom, most elusive, and easily the most expensive unit in the field. I cannot stress this enough. Theyre not great. While he lived, he drove off much larger armies of Romans time and again, mostly using troops he himself trained in the Roman manner, with a good mix of local warriors. Sarmatians with bows: only a fool would not consider employing them. Accomplished swordsmen, the Aequi are unafraid to face the Romans in battle. A Gaul can skilfully swing a longsword for the Empire and remain a Gaul. Balearic slingers had an awesome reputation back in the day as prime missile troops, and groups of them were often found in classical armies during their hey-day. The right axes buried in the right skulls for the right price. You can also find them in Northern Greece. These levies are armed with javelins, and skirmish in front of the main battle line. They fire a missile before they charge, and can take a hit from lesser units. A fine force of mercenary cavalry, well able to handle themselves in battle's pell-mell. Elephants need a tremendous amount of food and water to simply survive- the costs of which often prohibit their remaining in private service. Theyre not very strong, and while scaring horses can be useful, the Camel Riders cant survive on their own. Yet this unit may not be totally fictitious. They can be used to defend cities, until they run out of ammunition. A phalanx armed with pikes presents a formidable threat. His descendant Getae was appointed King of Numidia, but his throne was usurped by his brother Jugurtha, causing another war with Rome. Archers are ideal for goading the enemy into foolish action. These units fall pretty hard, pretty quickly. A mercenary archer's wage is money well spent; he can kill enemies at a distance. Zealous warriors, well-equipped for melee. These armoured veterans are dangerous exponents of phalanx warfare. Location: These Slingers can be found in Greece, Rome, Pontus, and Southern Gaul. These cavalrymen will shower the enemy with javelins before engaging in melee. These poor souls can be hired in Syria, Persia, Pontus and Armenia.
This manner avoids casualties from friendly fire, though there are many who claim that there is no such thing as friendly fire- all incoming missiles are hostile. Eastern Mercenaries are spearmen, but their native culture looks down upon them and they know it- giving them a very poor morale. They would be useful to sacrifice, but they arent worth the cost. They are classic shock troops. They are quite expensive to acquire, but maintenance is actually on the cheap side. Use them at your own risk. They have their own shields, and while they are by no means melee fighters, their defense can keep them from being annihilated when engaged. These horsemen have seen combat, and do not flinch in the face of danger. They have slightly better attack, but nothing else to offer. They can be found from Gaul to the Pripet Marshes, northern Italy, and Galatia, but not in Spain or Britannia. It has been discovered that they developed the scutum and pilum combination, which the Romans later copied. Retreat and re-engage. These highly-skilled bowmen can even choose which of their target's eyes they are going to take. Illyrians were renowned throughout the classical world as excellent guerilla warriors. A Greek phalanx, bought with foreign silver, is still Greek, and deadly. Theyre cheap for a reason. Luckily you have the Spike- a button which orders the mahouts to drive a giant nail through the brains of their beasts. Like the hastatus, he throws a pilum or two before closing for battle. Arab Cavalry doesnt offer much, and cant stand prolonged fights. You can occasionally find them in Armenia and Pontus as well. They come in bigger numbers than most other mercenaries, but this doesnt help them on the battlefield. Some claim he is a piss-poor line-holder, others a light version of the famed Roman hastatus. Rhodian Slingers actually pack a solid punch, but lack any real range to use this effectively.
Relatively fast, they chuck a spear or two before closing, and do so violently. They were a pain in the butt of many kings before their petty kingdoms finally found peace under Roman caligae. Tough warships for harrying the enemy, constructed to take on the worst of seas. They fought with the Dacians, causing many Roman headaches, until finally half of the tribe was brought into the Empire to help re-populate those areas lying fallow due to udnerpopualtion. They have a better attack, but worse armor, than the Barbarian mercenaries, but are used in a similar manner. Scythian mercenaries can be found in every region east of the Vistula- from Vicus Marcomanni all the way to the eastern edge of the map, and south to the Caucasus. Theyre pretty much dead after that. They also do bonus damage to Elephants and Chariots, for what its worth. They can help bolster your Infantry if needed, or flank an engaged enemy. They are pretty cheap compared to most mercenaries, and pack a solid punch. Elephants are prized mercenaries within our virtual world. Elephants have a very important downside. Warning: Slingers fire in a straight line, not in an arc. Mercenaries are the only way to get Elephant units as Rome. Claiming ancestry to the origins of Greek civilisations, these riders fight in the name of their forefathers. Hoplites can also be very effective in cities. The Cretan Archer is not only stronger than your end game Archers, but they have incredible range and accuracy to back it up. As such, they often fought among themselves. Chainmail does not chill a warrior's heart, or still his lust for battle. Their horses were prized for their clean lines and speed. These skirmishers can harass an enemy battle line, or keep enemy skirmishers at bay. Italy's fiercest warriors, whose formation has inspired Rome's dread Legions. If they charge an already engaged enemy, they will rip through them. An Iberian stone cast for the Empire can be as deadly as any other. Elephants are awesome. Location: Anywhere in Africa, Selucia or Egypt. Description: A slightly upgraded version of the Mercenary Peltast. Description: The most elusive, yet easily the most destructive Mercenary in the game. "Come back with this shield, or on it". They would be right too. The desert breeds fierce fighters, and good horsemen. Description: One of, if not these most, useless Cavalry Unit in the game. Be careful, because theyre also hard to find. Fire Arrows can scare Elephants before they even get close, and can wipe out your entire army if you arent careful. "Come closer, dear rival Fear in you I smell". Few can match the deadly accuracy of the men of Rhodes. A final word about mercenaries. Used properly with war cry, they can ruin the oppositions entire day. When the bow provides both food and security, everyone learns its ways. These mountainous people, in times of war, fight with tenacity to defend their homes. That being said, dont worry about getting Mercenaries killed. Useful light cavalry, when paid in silver, always finds a home. They need to get in close, but break skulls when they do. All other rights - including, but not limited to, distribution, duplication, and publish by any means - are retained by HeavenGames LLC. It is not a far stretch to imagine that remnants of defeated and broken armies sought to join the victorious forces- especially if one was as specialized and powerful as an elephant unit. Their weapon is the short Thracian sica, a wicked curved sword with the edge on the inside where it can slice and dice an enemy soldier rather cruelly. Size really does matter; it is worth paying extra for big, scary things. Location: Northern Greece and Gaul. Inhumanly decorated, and inhumanly savage, these men are dangerous indeed. The gods of war bless mercenaries who fight bravely. Light cavalry who can defend themselves are always a sound investment. They cannot hide, but enjoy good morale and can trample enemies underfoot as a special attack. Whereas the Numidians threw them from horseback, Libyan Mercenaries throw them from the ground.
They were allies with Philip V of Macedon, and his son Perseus as well. Description: Bedouin Archers are Camel Riders, and as such, have the passive ability to scare horses.
They even captured a young Gaius Julius Caesar on one of their raids, though he found their cove when he returned and crucified them all. Description: My original impulse was to place these guys in B tier, as their effectiveness drops off by late game. They fought often, and were a plague to the Romans for most of their existence. They are very cheap however, so they are a fantastic option as a garrison unit. They have a slightly weaker attack and half the charge bonus, but a slightly better defense. They are useful when playing as the Romans, however, as they present the Roman player with the only phalanx-capable troops who can easily break chariots. They can go amok. These powerful beasts plough through enemy lines with terrifying force. Mounted mercenaries skilled in close-quarters combat. Thats probably their best use honestly. They punch right through it, killing your men as easily as the enemy. Barbarian Cavalry Mercenaries are the mounted version of the barbarian infantry. ContentsGuide to Late Game DominationIntroductionThe Set UpAthens The City of GoldThe MeatgrinderThe [], Short tips on how to unlock all Factions, Tweak and Configure TWRR to your liking. 