a) Late Republican Roman
The logical step up from my Mid-Republican Roman. Looking at the basic starter army its seems you get less foot (only 4BG's of Legionaires at 4 bases each) which doesn't seem to be compensated for by the addition of 1BG of 8 bases of Illyrian foot (Average, Protected Undrilled Spearmen...yuk!).
Compare to the MRR Romans - 4BG of Hastati / Principes plus 2BG of the awesome Triarii and 1BG of the Italian Allied Foot (Average Protected, Drilled - Light Spear / Swordsmen).
So you get 5BG of foot (24 bases) compared to 7BG (30 bases).
They also swap out 2BG of Velites (always great in a skirmisher melee with 8 bases in total) for 1BG of crappy Slingers (only 6 bases).
I suppose this is compensated by the horse troops. But the MRR have 2BG of cavalry (which have usually held their own against superior opposition) wheras the LRR have 1 BG of Heavy Cavalry (albeit Superior to the MRR Average) and 2BG of Light Horse (which tends to be ineffectual against any other horse OR anything spear-armed).
So they don't look as tough as their predecessors - on 600 points anyway.
b) Gauls
When I finish them, of course! But they look like fun to play. A whopping 5BG of 8 bases of Warriors (40 bases before we start) of Impact Foot - but Undrilled (so no fancy manouevers) and only Protected (so will suffer in most melees).
Of more interest is the cavalry - of Superior Armoured and 2BG of Superior Protected. That's a lot of horse-power to resist.
And 1BG of 8 bases of javelinmen. Those extra bases mean they can dish out more punishment and receive more than a 6 base BG - and armed with light spear can murder other types of skirmishers.
c) Pyrric
Now here's something different - almost Carthaginian in its make up of disparate troop types.
1BG of xystophoroi (Superior, Armoured, Drilled Lancers / Swordsmen) - OUCH! Send them into the opposing cavalry and wacth the mayhem unfold, especially if supported by the 1BG of javelin-armed Heavy Cavalry (also Armoured and Drilled Light Spear / Swordmen). This lot could certainly give most opposition cavalry a very bad day.
Then the Tarantine Light Horse - useless, but helpful for a dash for the camp once the opposition cavalry are tied down.
1BG of elephants - great for punching a hole in the opposition line, especially as they also have 2BG of 8 bases of phalanx pike. That lot coming in 4 ranks plus the elephant is a lot of hitting power in a small frontage.
They also come with 8 bases of javelinmen and 6 bases of slingers. So plenty to scare off the opposing skirmishers.
The only worry here would be lack of width but if the centre pushes through and the cavalry do their job then this will be less problematic. Ideal for a tight battle with little space.
d) Illyrian
I don't think so! Average protected (or unprotected) crap. They may have numbers but they have virtually no cavalry and a lot of skirmishers who will do nothing against tougher opposition. Guaranteed disaster.
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| I know - they're Samnites but you get the idea. These guys couldn't stop a taxi |
e) Attalid Pergamene
Another mixed-bag army. As with the Pyrric army they come with some really tough cavalry and the obligatory Light Horse option. They also have 3BG of 6 bases of Thureophoroi (but only Average Protected) and Galatian Foot (2BG of 6 bases).
Skirmishing is provided by Cretan Archers and Trallian Slingers (6 and 8 bases and the Cretans are Superior). So you'd expect them to do well in a skirmisher battle but the centre looks a little weak (albeit numerous). A risky proposition but definitely worth a try (as I have got a load of Thureophoroi in the Greek box that are still unused in battle).
f) Numidians
Don't laugh! Have a closer look. Lots of numerous light horse and 2BG of 8 bases of javelinmen. Your skirmishing woes are over! With so many light horse you can pull opposing cavalry out of the way as your 24 bases of Imitation Legionaires and your Elephants run down the middle.
Who am I kidding! Most are Protected at best and you will certainly win the skirmish battle but that may not be enough against tougher infantry. But they have numbers, speed and the ability to inflict multiple casualties with lots of skirmishers just before their Impact Foot and Elephants arrive on the scene. But they do look trick to play...
g) Later Seleucids
What's not to like? Cataphracts, horse archers AND elephants together with 3 BG of pike (one of which
is Superior) AND some Thurephoroi and 2BG of 8 bases of archers and javelins. Definitely a tough propostion and one to cause a few headaches on the opponents side of the table.
They also have an extensive Optional Troops list which is like a general's sweety shop. Scythed chariots, Galatian Foot, Camels, Bolt-shooters, Heavy Weapon Thracians, Scythian Cavalry (with bow and sword) - the possibilities are endless. Definitely giving these bad boys a couple of run-outs.
h) Later Ptolemaic
Pretty much as above but you can mix in Romanised Infantry - 2BG of 6 bases of Armoured Drilled Impact Foot Swords. Sacrifice your horse archers for 2BG of xystophoroi (armoured lancers / swordsmen) and chuck in some elephants for flank protection or hole-punching. Yummy!
i) Pontic
Another mix-and-match army. Pontic Heavy Cavalry (Armoured, LS / Swordsmen) are complemented by Sarmatian Cavalry (Superior Armoured lancers / swordsmen). So you don't have much to fear in the horse stakes. In the middle, 3BG of Imitation Legionaires (all 6 bases), the Thureophoroi and - much more fun - Bastarnae (Superior Heavy Weapon - thereby no bonus for better armour for the opposition). Not much in the way of skirmishing but what a challenge playing these!?
Their optional troops also look fun - Sarmatian and Skythian cavalry and Galatian Foot for added impact.
You can also get some pike on the field as well. 'Ave it!
j) Armenian / Parthian
These armies are so similar as to be interchangable. Essentially these are horse armies. Cataphracts to smash the opposing cavalry and horse archers to inflict damage from all sides - and some foot to do what they can to assist.
The Armenians are more foot-oriented (4 BG of skirmishers) wheras the Parthians are almost exclusively horse borne. I've nearly finished the Parthians so I'm itching to give them a try. They look like they'll be frustrating to play against but I wonder how they'll prevent a determined charge up the middle? Only one way to find out....
k) Later Jewish
Looks a bit weak. 3 BG of skirmishers and 5BG of Average Protected Thureophoroi does not look like the toughest opposition. Cavalry is also light horse centric. Probably not.
l) Bosporan
An interesting mix. Lancers and horse archers alongside hoplites, Thracian sworsdsmen and a sprinkling of skirmishers. Definitely worht a look although other armies look more promising.