Baktrian Roster

[DimeBagHo]

Baktria obviously needs its own roster now, rather than just a copy of the Seleucid roster. Here is one way it might go. I'm thinking that the low level units should be eastern. While the heavy, non-phalanx infantry should be more traditional Greek - having been less influence by Roman success.

       Infantry                     Ranged             Cavalry

Gvt    Sparabara

lvl 1  Eastern Peltast

lvl 2  Levy Phalanx, Hillmen        Eastern Slingers   Baktrian HAs

lvl 3  Phalanx, Indo-Hel. Hoplites  Baktrian Archers   Baktrian Lancers

lvl 4  Agema Hoplites                                  Cataphracts, Indian Elephants

lvl 5                                                  Companions

[Ghostlance]

That a nice line up as is, but what about a non spear heavy infantry unit at lvl 4 or 5. To hold the ends of the line

[Zarax]

Baktrian hoplites should be slightly different though, historically they had scale mail IIRC

[DimeBagHo]

Some shots of Baktrian Agema Hoplites in action.

...what about a non spear heavy infantry unit at lvl 4 or 5. To hold the ends of the line?

The Hoplite units should be able to handle that job.

[Zarax]

Looking good DBH, what about the baktrian "regular" hoplites?

[Da Erobara]

Perhaps you could replace that Chalcidian helmet with a Greco-Bactrian one. That would make them look a lot more different than the hoplites of Hellas and it is also historical accurate. If I may suggest one thing for the standard hoplites: They were more equipped like the Iphicratean hoplites, as there has been a similiar development in India. Just my 2 cents.

[Hippias]

What about an Indian unit carrying a double handed club (bit like a giant baseball bat ). There are representaions in books by Duncan Head of Indian Clubmen/Macemen in the army of Porus. They could have the general stats and appearance of the German 2-handed axemen (armour piercing etc) but with an Indian skin (obviously)

Were there any other buildings or units in alexander TW that could give the Baktrians a touch of the east?

[DimeBagHo]

Here's a shot of the current Indo-Hellenic Hoplites. They have scale armour, and otherwise look similar to the Agema Hoplites. I haven't found anything suitable to put on the shields yet.

Da Erobara: I'll take a shot at making the Greco-Bactrian helms, but I fear that may be beyond my modeling abilities. I tried out a version of the Indo-Hellenics with Dipylon shields, and no plume, but didn't like the look much. A regular thureos just makes them look like Thorakitai without the javelins.



Hippias: We could always give them temples of Buddha.

[Scutarii]

Looking good. I've always wanted to play a unique Baktria.

EDIT: Also, will we be seeing any more units? A level 5 infantry would be good, or a level 4 phalanx infantry (an elite phalanx). Right now building an Urban barracks just to get Companions is a little much...

[Ferrus]

DimebagHo: For the bactrian shields of the indo-hellenic hoplites why not use the current dragon from the agema hoplites (symbolizing eastern influences and that they are natives of the east), and for the agema hoplite version, modify the dragon to have a thunderbolt in the background (which is easy i assume though i have never done any graphics or modeling) either directly behind the dragon (although that may cause a few problems as in colour clash or losing the dragon's outlines) or shrink the dragon a bit and place the bolt in the upper right corner of the shield though dont place it like its aiming at the head or that would look fairly amusing, maybe infront of its nose. If youre adventurous you could always fiddle around with the dragon to have it grasping the bolt in its claws. The reason for the thunderbolt is a subtle hint at greek influences from ole Zeus, since I read in the unit description that they are formed from greek/mak settlers. Although it doesnt have to be a thunderbolt any other greek symbols could be used. I just reckon the bolt is more manly =)

Though I have no idea what a bactrian army should really have painted on their shields (a dragon is as good as any and allows me to play the game with chinese soundtracks), I reckon doing it this way will give the hoplites a more unifying theme while showing off the agema as a more elite hoplite unit as it is more noticeable on their shields than a closeup look at their armour.

[scannerfish]

The hoplites kick ass mate .


Have you considered adding a good India AOR unit ? Like an armored archer or armored 2 handed swordsmen?

[Kara Kolyo]

About the bactrian helmet- can't you use the boeotian helm from alex? the thesallian and allied cavalry uses it

[DimeBagHo]

Kara Kolyo: Unfortunately most of the models from Alex can't be edited. Sometimes I can use them without changes, but I can't do that in this case.

[Da Erobara]

May I suggest adding Thureophoroi and Thorakitai to the Baktrian roster? At the very beginning of their kingdom, they were extremely influenced by the seleucid miltary, which was pretty fond of their Thureophoroi and Thorakitai. Perhaps the roster may be a bit crowded, but the more diversive units for diversive tactics you can get, the better
Edit: Just realised that the Baktrians already have Thureophoroi. So it's only the Thorakitai I suggest.

[Dom9127]

Do you think that Bactria could get a Sogadian light infantry as an Aor as Alexander used them.

[Scutarii]

Also, in the building roster, I see Thorikitai as the Level 5 Infantry. I think tht that is a bug?

[DimeBagHo]

Da Erobara: Thorakitai are a possibility, but I'd like to encourage people to use the Hoplites.

Dom9127: Sogadians Might make a good AOR, or replacement for Thureophoroi.

Scutarii: Yep, that's a bug.

[Zarax]

Baktrian hoplites should be a bit different in stats as well, all hoplite-style units are copycats right now and don't add much diversity to the game...

[perun]

Sparabara for Bactria somehow always had seemed wrong to me... And the dragons are very Chinese (How about lions?).

[Maraxus]

DBH, are there any plans to implement low level eastern units (Sparabara...) instead of Greek style low level units for Baktria? I was hoping the Baktrian roster would reflect the severe lack of Greek settlers way out there in Bactria by using Greek men only for the elite units.