Re: How to use odrysian units ?
Yes, the Odrysian Kingdom is difficult, indeed!
If you would like a more challenging campaign, then I recommend using a More Aggressive AI mod together with the Guaranteed Major Faction Empires mod. I am enjoying seeing the effects of those mods. But this is the strategy and tactics forum and I should focus on the question which you are asking.
You wrote that you use a line of thracian warriors and use peltasts and cavalry for flank attacks. The problem is that your thracian warriors cannot hold the line for long. Peltasts also struggle to hold the line. Spearmen die too fast and don't inflict losses on the enemy. It sounds like you are wondering how to 'hold the line', when Odrysia lacks units with the good melee statistics and armour which they would need to 'hold the line' successfully.
I can think of a few suggestions. I am a fairly new Rome II player, so others might have better ideas:-
- Use a defensive main line, instead of an offensive one. For sword-based armies like Rome and most Celtic factions, the main line advances and kills the enemy. However, for Greek factions, it seems that the purpose of the main line is defensive. Your spearmen hold the line and fix the enemy in position; your cavalry, skirmishers or flankers destroy the enemy. You could try Greek-style tactics, using a main line with a mix of cheap spearmen and (if they are available and affordable) some mercenary hoplites (or similar units) to strengthen the line. The purpose of this line is not to kill the enemy. The purpose of this line is not even to hold for very long. The purpose of this line is to fix the enemy in position and draw as many of them as possible into attacking the line. Then your skirmishers and cavalry will surround them and destroy them.
- Alternatively, don't use a main line of melee infantry. Bring lots of skirmishers and cavalry, with a few light spearmen among your skirmishers (in case enemy cavalry hit your skirmishers before your cavalry can reach them). When they send cavalry to attack your skirmishers, destroy their cavalry with your horsemen. Make them keep moving towards your skirmishers. Use your cavalry to destroy their skirmishers, if you can do this without your riders getting into a melee with their infantry. After the enemy infantry have chased your skirmishers, the enemy infantry should become tired. At that point, discourage them further by cycle-charging their infantry with your melee cavalry. (Charge, wait a moment for your riders to inflict casualties, then pull your cavalry out and repeat. For maximum effect, charge them from the flanks or rear when their infantry are on the move, chasing your skirmishers).
- Look at Lugotorix's The Black-Hearted Lords of Thrace: An Odrysian Kingdom AAR; he successfully built an Odrysian empire, so his campaign might provide some ideas.
Last edited by Alwyn; January 28, 2017 at 06:57 AM.