Greek Cities: hoplite or cavalry bodyguard?

[Zarax]

As in subject.

Easy said, some historical sources suggests that at game start generals still fought as hoplites in southern greece instead of cavalry.
Added to that, it would give some more uniqueness to GCS.

On the backside, no cavalry bodyguards are likely to make for even less flexible armies, although it would get rid of suicidal generals (not by improving AI but rather by taking out their ability to charge first).

The decision is yours.

[Sextus Molestus]

I like the idea of a unique hoplite style guard.

[Mediteran]

i would like the hoplite ones, but only for cities in greece itself, not syracuse and so on

[Zarax]

We are talking about factionals, not locals.
This means that as long as syracuse is in IGCS hands they would have the "normal" bodyguards.

[Mediteran]

ah, ok, and if they get into gcs hands they would get the hoplite bodyguards?

i am not sure about historical sources, why did they have hoplites, and the others mounted bodyguards? is it because of terrain, availability of horses, or something else?

[Zarax]

well, GCS family members would come with hoplite bodyguards no matter where they are...
Of course we could easily have hoplites pre-marius and horses post-marius for example.

[CaesarVincens]

We will most likely have infantry bodyguards (for whatever faction) pre-marius only.

[Scutarii]

I voted hoplites, as long is its only pre-marian.

[Spartan198]

I'd like to have hoplite bodyguards pre-Marian and cavalry bodyguards post-Marian.

[Suppanut]

I also like idea of pre-marian hoplite bodyguard while post-marian cavalry too.

[salaminomaxos79]

I also like idea of pre-marian hoplite bodyguard while post-marian cavalry too.

me too

[Dog Fart]

I'm gonna say "baaaaaahh" with the rest of the sheep and say hoplite pre-marian and cavalry post marian.

[CaesarVincens]

OK, sounds good. Expect to see hoplite bodyguards no later than Extended Cultures 4.

[Dog Fart]

That just makes me feel yummy!

[Zarax]

Yes, it's just another step in making GCS different in feeling than the other greek, iphicrateans in XC4 will do the rest...

[Stilgar CG]

I agree with Scutarii: pre-Marian hoplite bodyguards would be a more reasonable feature.

[Spartan 666]

infantry generals for GCS is a great idea! In the 5th-4th century BC almost all cities in Greece had their generals as infantry, because cavalry was still a marginal element in greek warfare.

I'm not sure what it was like in the 3rd century BC...

[Zarax]

EB has them still as infantry generals.

[Spartan 666]

Does it? Can't remember, played it more than a year ago...

[Zarax]

Somatophylakes Strategou (Greek General)
Hail Arche! Your finest warriors, the true elite of the polis, stand here before you. They are drawn from the bravest and wealthiest men. They eschew the horse, preferring to allow their brothers who are too cowardly to fight on foot the role of cavalry. They are armored in the finest bronze armor, with shields made from only the best and stoutest wood. These shields are faced with fine leather or bronze, and in the skilled hands of your greatest soldiers, they can stop all but the most determined blows. The spears of these fine soldiers are made from the best cornel wood and iron. All of them are battle tested veterans. None will shirk from the shield wall and the killing, for each regards it with the cold dispassion of an elite soldier that belies their name: the Epilektoi, or picked ones.

Historically, the Greek poleis fielded small numbers of extremely hardened and well armed warriors. These soldiers were every bit the match of the elite units of other nations, as proven in engagement after engagement. They are best used where the decisive action will take place, either to force their way through enemy infantry, or to repulse the heavy cavalry of the other Greek states.