Did more testing:
Imo, the mod is superb overall, and my only feedback regards unit stats/costs/upkeep playbalancing.
1) Molossian Wardogs: upkeep is roughly 220% Roman and other barbarian equivalents. Are they worth it? From their stats, don't think so.
2) Bow units: have noticed that missle attack for Archers (vanilla) and the 2 Illyrian versions are reduced to 13--with slingers at 12. Range of bows increased to 145 (slingers retain vanilla range of 150--but have roughly twice the ammo). This makes archers pretty useless compared to slingers.
3) Illyro-Italian Bow Auxiliaries: from their stats they're basically weakish Hastati with bows instead of pila, right?
I've got a bunch in my armies now, but haven't tested them yet in battle.
Are they supposed to be used as skirmishers?
They're also very expensive upkeep; compared to a real sword melee unit like Illyro-Ital Inf Cohorts.
3) Veteran Illyrian Inf: I like the regular Illyrians; but the veteran version upkeep seems overpriced for their stats.. Are they worth it?
4) Grosphomachoi: one of my fave units from RTRVII. Their stats and upkeep seem lackluster compared to vanilla Agranian Axemen. Are they worth it?
My notion is that Epirus needs at least a few units that as a cost-effectiveness package are superior to the other Greek factions. At present only vanilla Agranians (and DardanianBondsCav) fit that bill.
5) Sibunetes: like a frailer, cheaper version of TheurosHop's. I really like this unit!
6) Illyrian Levy Foot: at first I thought these were too inexpensive...but they really help as adjunct support during the first 40+ turns when money is a real issue. Under missle fire they die like flies.. At mid-game I've retired almost all for AgranianAxes and the like.
7) Illyrian Archers: dirt cheap cost + upkeep. But that range of only 100, plus only paltry ammo, made them seem a bad deal compared to vanilla Slingers. Only traines a few..then disbanded them. With range of say 125, and a few more arrows, they'd have a lot more appeal...
8) Chaonian Peltastai: presumably the Epirote alternative to RoyalPeltasts; but roughly 200% the upkeep. Like the vanilla version they have v.high armor (in a skirmisher unit?), but sl. poorer stats, like morale. As they stand, a bad deal; and certainly not worth the expense and food costs of their required structure (Skirmisher IV).
9) Illyrian Light Cav: with sl. better stats than the mid-game vanilla Skirmisher Cav, their upkeep is roughly 150%. Once Dardanian Bondsmen Cav become avail, the Light Cav. become obsolete (for their upkeep cost). Perhaps reduce upkeep to just over vanilla SkirmishersCavs'.
10) Dardanian Bondsmen Cav: one of my fave EEP units. Excellent package of heavy skirmisher cav.
Am close to accessing lvl IV barracks. Will let you know how those units test.
In all, playing that EEP campaign last night was so far the pinnacle of enjoyment so far playing Rome2. Excellent fun! Thank you, and may the gods smile upon you for your magnificent creation. Thank you also for standing firm in your decision to not imitate Radious by creating fantasy units with dirt cheap upkeep.
Once you finish up EEP, what comes next? The other Illyrian factions?