Job: Readme and Faction Guides

**Unknown Soldier** · November 30, 2007, 06:42 AM

Er..Zarax - did you put in Iberian Spearmen? Did I miss read it?

**Zarax** · November 30, 2007, 10:25 AM

I'm pretty sure it was lybian...

**Kara Kolyo** · November 30, 2007, 01:15 PM

Supeerme, you should probably check the existing faction guides - some kingdoms are already done. No need to discover the wheel anew

**supeerme** · November 30, 2007, 01:31 PM

Why? I like to discover the wheel! (damn humans!)

**Hurlbut** · November 30, 2007, 01:32 PM

You're a human, bub.

**supeerme** · November 30, 2007, 01:55 PM

who knows? maybe we are in a huge computer system?

**Unknown Soldier** · December 03, 2007, 06:52 AM

No Zarax, as Carthage in Iberia you can recruit Iberian Spearmen as Garrison unit, rather than civic militia.

**Zarax** · December 03, 2007, 09:19 AM

Err, my mistake.
Though I'm sure what's in the guide should be correct...

**Suppanut** · July 30, 2008, 09:27 AM

I have wait and see for a long time for those who much more veteran players to create article for faction guides but seem some of them are still neglect as ever so I decide to write for them except strategy part as I'm not an accomplish player to write that part any way.

So I start with Parthia and Scythia

Kingdom of Parthia
Brief Description:
The Parthians are a nomadic Indo-scythian people who conquered and settled in the area near the Caspian Sea in the 4th century BC as part of the Dahae confederation and later as Satrapy of Achaemenids. Later, under their Arsacid rulers have fiercely maintained their independence from the Seleucids' overlordship in the south and from Scythian raiders in the north. They have the potential to be a great Empire and actually successfully archieved it on horseback during war and in feudal courts, achaemenid tradition and Silk Road's trade during peace. They are one of era's victors which romans can't cracked them.

Military: As horse faction, Parthia is cavalry-oriented faction with very poor quality infantry. Her strength is mainly relied on a variety of cavalry they field with larger unit size than non-horse factions which cover most task that cavalry should as light horse archer, saveral types of heavy cavalry, and heavy camel. Most of their cavalry have armour priecing ability for their secondary weapon. Its only infantry is Steppe Infantry which very poor no matter what standard to be measure and can't relied them in any task other than as watch dogs over her people.

The unit roster includes (Core Building's Unit)Steppe Infantry; (Light/Heavy Horse Archers) Horse Archers, Persian Cavalry, Cataphract Archers; (Heavy skirmisher Cavalry)Heavy Cavalry; (Heavy Shock Cavalry)Cataphracts, Companions; (Heavy Camels)Cataphract Camels, Cataphract Camel Archers; (Special)Eastern Elephants; (Siege Machines)Onagers.

"This part is for 5.8.X which include Ethnic traits only"
Seven House of parthia Traits: Family members of Parthia are all the members of parthian nobles which mainly composed of 7 main houses with different characteristic; the Aspahapet, the Dahae, the Karen, the Mihran, the Parni, the Sohae, and the Suren. They also could adopt and marriage with Persian as times go by.

The Scythian
(for version 5.8.X with ethnic traits only)
Brief Description:
The Scythians have long ruled the steppes and are famed for their superior horsemen, and especially for their cavalry archers. The vast distances of the steppes make strategic depth for Scythian's homeland but also made infantry little use to them in compensation. By the time of romans rising, Scythian are on their wanning of their power and their power slowly transfer to their closely related, the Sarmatians.

Scythians and Sarmatians' traits: Scythia faction will have two group of ethnic in its faction; Scythian which start as ruler and Sarmatian which slowly replaced Scythian in its important. Both groups of ethnic will also have their own tribe subgroups to increace their own varieties in characteristic.

Military: Similar to Parthia, Scythia is horse faction which mean cavalry-oriented rosters with very poor quality infantry. Its strength is mainly relied on a variety of cavalry they field with larger unit size than non-horse factions which cover most task that cavalry should as light/heavy horse archers, light skirmisher cavalry, and medium/heavy shock cavalry. Most of their cavalry have armour priecing ability for their secondary weapon. Its only infantry is Steppe Infantry which so poor but a bit better than their Parthian kins.

The unit roster includes (Core Building's Unit)Steppe Infantry; (Light/Heavy Horse Archers) Scythian Horse Archers, Scythian Noble Archers; (light skirmisher Cavalry)Light Cavalry; (Shock Cavalry)Scythian Noble, Scythian Cataphracts; (Siege Machines)Onagers; (Special)Head Hunting Maidens, Scythian Noble Women.

**Suppanut** · July 31, 2008, 06:11 AM

Here are more part for faction guides.

Iberian
Brief Description:
The Iberians have long influenced by the Celts, the Carthaginians, the Greeks, and even Romans, both by peaceful and violence mean, but still have their own ways to teach their enemies a lessons. With these sophisticated a enemies to face, player need sohpisticated policy, flexible diplomacy, and effective way of war from situation necessity.

military: Iberian infantry are tough swordsmen armed with short sword, scutum, and pilum to throw before charge. Although their power were tuned down from vanilla, they still very effective warriors. Iberian Cavalry also proved to be the most powerful cavalry of Western Europe, outmatched barbarians, romans, and punic's cavalry in battlefield. With army combination with Iberian's infantry, cavalry, and good commander they could rule battlefield without any problem.

The roster includes (Skirmishers) Caetrati; (Spearmen) Spearmen, Heavy Spearmen; (Swordsmen) Scutarii, Heavy Scutarii, Ambakaro; (Ranged) Archers; (Cavalry) Roundshield, Longshield, Lancers; (Siege) Onagers.

"This part is for 5.8.X which include Ethnic traits only"
Iberian's Ethnic Traits: Family members of Iberian are mainly members of Iberian ethnic but also can adopted and married the Celts in to the family too. The Iberian can be a member of one specific tribes as also for the Celts but with only a few tribes of Celtiberians.

Germans
Brief Description:
The Germans are a confederation of people who speak the same tongue and honour the same warlike and harsh gods rather than a nation. They are race of warriors which although not sophisticated fighters, but they are cunning, clever, and bravery. They are one of era's survivors(if not count them as victor yet) as they could withstand roman power and later even became one of the cause of Romans' demise.

Military: Army of the germans are the terminators of all heavy infantry. Their infantry are mostly arm with axe which mean they are effective against heavier units like other factions' elites especially against roman's legions but less effective against lighter units than celtic counterparts. Their basic units like Spear Warband and Skirmisher Warband have ability uniquely different than celtic counterpart. They also have good support units like heroic units, elite foot archers, and good cavalry to tear enemy apart and Heavy Spearmen to hold the line. All of their units come with barbarian standard power so most of them come with vice of impetuous.

The roster includes (Skirmishers) Skirmisher Warband(with club); (Spearmen) Spear Warband, Heavy Spearmen; (Axemen) Axemen, Double Handed Axemen, Chosen Axemen, Night raiders, Berserkers; (Ranged) Archers, Chosen Archers; (Cavalry) Cavalry, Heavy cavalry, Noble Cavalry.

"This part is for 5.8.X which include Ethnic traits only"
Germanic's Ethnic Traits: Family members of Germans are all members of Germanic tribe. The The germanic charcater can be a member of one specific tribes; Ingaevonic, Teuton, Cimbric, Marcomannic, Ambronic, Lombard, Chatti, and also Bastarnae.

**Suppanut** · July 31, 2008, 12:47 PM

Here are more description for the guides.

Gauls

Military: Celts are the most adavanced barbarian at that time in term of material technology but their tactic are very straighforward. With technology, they could forge longsword with highest quality in Mediterranean world so they could field a variety of sword units with powerful attack and defense as main combat body with support from range units which effective in facing armoured units like Slingers and Chosen Slingers or with their special units like Javelin Chariots and Berserkers to cut through their way. But nothing like their Druids who spiritual guide of their warriors in the battlefield.

The unit roster includes (Skirmishers) Skirmisher Warband(with short spear); (Spearmen) Heavy Spearmen; (Swordsmen) Swordsmen, Gaesatae, Chosen Swordsmen; (Ranged) Slingers, Archers, Chosen Slingers; (Cavalry) Cavalry, Heavy cavalry, Noble Cavalry, Javelin Chariots; (Special) Druids, Berserkers.

"This part is for 5.8.X which include Ethnic traits only"
Gauls's Ethnic Traits: Family members of Gauls are all members of Celtic tribes. The celtic charcater can be a member of one specific tribes which will expand their pool of tribes for adopt and marriage as faction expand more in celtic world.

Armenia
Military: Armenia have the least changing in rosters and has had a few new units added, including Eastern Slingers, Eastern Elephants, and eastern Heavy Cavalry. They have good combination of good cavalry include horse archers and good infantry units by eastern standard made player have a unique, though difficult campaign.

The unit roster includes (Skirmishers) Peltasts, Hillmen; (Spearmen) Heavy Spearmen; (Ranged) Slingers, Archers; (Swordsmen) Armenian Legionaries; (Cavalry) Horse Archers, Heavy Cavalry, Cataphrects, Cataphrect Archers, Eastern Elephants; (Siege) Onagers.

"This part is for 5.8.X which include Ethnic traits only"
Armenia's Ethnic Traits: Family members of Armenia are all the persian at the beginning but also can adopted and married the local Armenian in to the family too.

Pontus
Brief Description:
Founded by Mithradates Ktistes a bare 20 years ago, the Kingdom of Pontus is a Persian Dynasty surrounded by Macedonian and Greek powers. It is an eastern kingdom that has foundation on hellenistic colony with high persian court tradition combined with hellenistic army.

Military: Pontus has had a few new units added, including Eastern Slingers, Eastern Elephants, and Eastern legionaries. The result is a reasonably well-rounded Hellenistic unit roster. The campaign can be difficult, however, as Pontus lies in a hotly contested region.

The unit roster includes (Skirmishers) Peltasts, Hillmen; (Spearmen) Heavy Spearmen, Phalangites, Bronze Shield; (Ranged) Slingers, Archers; (Swordsmen) Armenian Legionaries; (Cavalry) Light Cavalry, Heavy Cavalry, Cappadocian Cavalry, Scythed Chariots, Eastern Elephants; (Siege) Onagers.

"This part is for 5.8.X which include Ethnic traits only"
Pontus's Ethnic Traits: Family members of Pontus are all the persian at the beginning but also can adopted and married Greek, the local Anatolian, and the Galatian Celt as game progress. The Anatolian will also get trait to identify their groups within well diversed Anatolia.

**Suppanut** · July 31, 2008, 12:50 PM

Here are more description for the guides.

Gauls

Military: Celts are the most adavanced barbarian at that time in term of material technology but their tactic are very straighforward. With technology, they could forge longsword with highest quality in Mediterranean world so they could field a variety of sword units with powerful attack and defense as main combat body with support from range units which effective in facing armoured units like Slingers and Chosen Slingers or with their special units like Javelin Chariots and Berserkers to cut through their way. But nothing like their Druids who spiritual guide of their warriors in the battlefield.

The unit roster includes (Skirmishers) Skirmisher Warband(with short spear); (Spearmen) Heavy Spearmen; (Swordsmen) Swordsmen, Gaesatae, Chosen Swordsmen; (Ranged) Slingers, Archers, Chosen Slingers; (Cavalry) Cavalry, Heavy cavalry, Noble Cavalry, Javelin Chariots; (Special) Druids, Berserkers.

"This part is for 5.8.X which include Ethnic traits only"
Gauls's Ethnic Traits: Family members of Gauls are all members of Celtic tribes. The celtic charcater can be a member of one specific tribes which will expand their pool of tribes for adopt and marriage as faction expand more in celtic world.

Armenia
Military: Armenia have the least changing in rosters and has had a few new units added, including Eastern Slingers, Eastern Elephants, and eastern Heavy Cavalry. They have good combination of good cavalry include horse archers and good infantry units by eastern standard made player have a unique, though difficult campaign.

The unit roster includes (Skirmishers) Peltasts, Hillmen; (Spearmen) Heavy Spearmen; (Ranged) Slingers, Archers; (Swordsmen) Armenian Legionaries; (Cavalry) Horse Archers, Heavy Cavalry, Cataphrects, Cataphrect Archers, Eastern Elephants; (Siege) Onagers.

"This part is for 5.8.X which include Ethnic traits only"
Armenia's Ethnic Traits: Family members of Armenia are all the persian at the beginning but also can adopted and married the local Armenian in to the family too.

Pontus
Brief Description:
Founded by Mithradates Ktistes a bare 20 years ago, the Kingdom of Pontus is a Persian Dynasty surrounded by Macedonian and Greek powers. It is an eastern kingdom that has foundation on hellenistic colony with high persian court tradition combined with hellenistic army.

Military: Pontus has had a few new units added, including Eastern Slingers, Eastern Elephants, and Eastern legionaries. The result is a reasonably well-rounded Hellenistic unit roster. The campaign can be difficult, however, as Pontus lies in a hotly contested region.

The unit roster includes (Skirmishers) Peltasts, Hillmen; (Spearmen) Heavy Spearmen, Phalangites, Bronze Shield; (Ranged) Slingers, Archers; (Swordsmen) Armenian Legionaries; (Cavalry) Light Cavalry, Heavy Cavalry, Cappadocian Cavalry, Scythed Chariots, Eastern Elephants; (Siege) Onagers.

"This part is for 5.8.X which include Ethnic traits only"
Pontus's Ethnic Traits: Family members of Pontus are all the persian at the beginning but also can adopted and married Greek, the local Anatolian, and the Galatian Celt as game progress. The Anatolian will also get trait to identify their groups within well diversed Anatolia.

**Suppanut** · August 02, 2008, 08:01 AM

Here are additional description for XGM 5.8 which include Ethnic Traits Modules.

This part is for XGM 5.8 only

Greek City States
Hellenic Ethnic System: Family member of Greek City States and Independent Greeks will recieved Hellenic ethnic as well as specific city-states traits indicated their origin and root. Characters with different city-state trait as factions liberated more city states to joined their cause. There also have political stance for Hellenic member of faction to decide what will they do when civil war broke out.

Kingdom of Macedon
Antigonid's Hellenistic Ethnic System: Family members of Kingdom of Macedonia will recieved Hellenic trait as their only ethnic and able to earn their special hellenistic epithets if they are direct descendent from Antigonus I Monophthalmus.

Seleucid Empire
Seleucid's Hellenistic Ethnic System: Starting family members of Seleucid Empire will recieved Hellenic trait as their main ethnic and able to earn their special hellenistic epithets if they are direct descendent from Seleucus I Nicator. They also can adopted and married the Babylonian to work for them.

Kingdom of Baktria
Baktria's Ethnic System: Starting family members of Kingdom of Baktria will recieved Hellenic trait as their main ethnic. They also can adopted and married the Baktrian, the Indian, and the Sakae/Massagetae Scythian to work for them.

Ptolemaic Empire
Ptolemaic's Ethnic System: Starting family members of Ptolemaic Empire will recieved Hellenic trait as their main ethnic and able to earn their special hellenistic epithets if they are direct descendent from Ptolemy I Soter. They also can adopted and married the Egyptian, the Nubian, and the Jewish to work for them.

Kingdom of Thrace
Thrace's Ethnic System: Starting family members of Thrace will recieved Thracian trait as their main ethnic along with the specific thracian tribe they are originate from. They also can adopted and married the Hellenic to work for them.

Republic of Rome
Rome's Ethnic System: Starting family members of Rome will recieved Roman trait as their main ethnic along with the caste they are originate from as well as their political stance(Optimates or Populares).

Republic of Carthage
Rome's Ethnic System: Starting family members of Carthage will recieved Punic trait as their main ethnic. They also can adopted and married the Liby-Phoenician, the Berber, the Puno-Iberian, Puno-Celtiberian, and the Puno-Hellenic to work for them. For Punic family members, There also can have foreign wife to get some adventage but cause their childern to born as half-bloods ethnic.

**Scutarii** · August 10, 2008, 09:03 PM

This is good stuff Suppanut, I admire your dedication to XGM and bettering this community, you deserve a rep and then some.

**EyebrowsMulligan** · August 27, 2008, 10:51 AM

I'd like to add to what has already been said about the Seleucids, in a format similar to the one which Zarax used to present his excellent Carthage guide.

The Seleucid Empire is in a precarious position at the start of the game, sharing borders with several smaller factions who will be looking to expand at its expense. This situation will be familiar to anyone who has played BI as the Western Roman faction.

If playing with AI bonuses on there is every possibilty that it may simply be impossible for you to hold on to everything, and attempting to do so will likely result in ruin. This being the case the budding Seleucid emperor needs to prioritise where to focus their attention, and ultimately it will be a choice between East and West.

The Empire is beset not only by a myriad of foes, but also by a myriad of fighting styles. Fortunately the Empire probably has the most diverse roster of troops available to anyone in order to counter this, ranging from Greek staples such as Thorakitai and Phalangites through to both Companions and Cataphracts and on to 'borrowed' units such as imitation Legionaries. There is also an excellent selection of AoR units available, including some of the most renowned archers within the XGM world; the Syrians.

In terms of a starting strategy, as already alluded to it is going to prove exceptionally difficult to hold everything, perhaps even impossible. This being the case you're probably going to want to expand in the West (more lucrative, already hellenised and closer to your capital) and slowly cede your rebellious Eastern provinces as they fall under attack.

It is imperative that you consider a pre-emptive strike against the Ptolomies as if left to build up they will undoubtedly threaten your position in Syria. Likewise, the Pontics, Indie Greeks and Armenians may attempt to kick you out of Asia Minor. A good delaying tactic when the inevitable back-stabbing starts is to form a mercenary army with the sole purpose of destroying their infrastructure. This will line your coffers while also setting them back several years.

In terms of a 'standard' Seleucid army I really don't think there is such a thing. Thankfully with the array of troops at your disposal you literally can afford to create armies tailor made for fighting different foes - and be confident that this is all they will need to do (for example, an army heavy on Syrian archers to fight both the Parthians and Scythians or a force comprised primarily of silver shield pikes and legionaires for fighting hellenic factions).

Due to the depth of your roster you won't be concerned with trying to stop the Romans from hitting the Marian reforms. In fact by doing so they will give you access to probably the only 'native' troops you've been missing up to this point - capable heavy infantry armed with swords.

In short, as a Seleucid emperor the world is literally your oyster and you command some of the most versatile and devastating armies ever seen. It is up you to to utilise these strengths to their utmost.