Aedui, Arverni, Getai, Sweboz, Casse and Lusitanians. Which one?

[Ownager]

I really wanted to play as one of these, since I wanted to get into the barbarian type of role playing. Which one is best? I wanted to play as a monarchist, which would be Sweboz and Lusottanan, but at the same time, I wanted the feeling of saving the Gauls, so Aedui and Arverni. But then I like skirmishers. And Champions. And elites. So I am confused. Which one?

[Stath's]

Getai

[Ownager]

Why?

[athanaric]

Swêboz and Lusotannan are not particularly Monarchist by default, although over the course of the game, you'll establish a kind of monarchy of course.

Economy/infrastructure wise (tech tree): Gauls > Casse > Getai > Lusotannan > Swêboz

The Getai have the most balanced and versatile roster. And IMO the easiest start of the Barbarian factions.

If you're Isolationist and you like infantry bodyguards, play Suebi.

If you're very Isolationist and you like chariot BGs, play Casse.

If you like conventional army setups, you might be best off with Getai. Or the Gallic factions.

If you prefer ambushing and micro, Lusotannan are the best candidate, followed by Suebi.

Gauls can build up a pretty solid economy, but can't recruit AP infantry and heavy spearmen in Gaul.

One thing to look out for if you're playing a Celtic or Germanic faction is assimilation units. You can recruit those in other factions' homelands with your factional MIC. Aedui, Arverni, and Casse can recruit Celto-Hellenic Hoplites throughout the Greek world (including Massalia), while Aedui, Arverni, and Swêboz can recruit Celto-Germanic Spearmen, in Germania (if you're Gallic) or in Celtic provinces (if you're Swêboz). Also Celto-Germanic cavalry around the Alps. So that'd be in favour of those three factions.

[Ownager]

Swêboz and Lusotannan are not particularly Monarchist by default, although over the course of the game, you'll establish a kind of monarchy of course.


I always felt felt that they were more monarchist than the elected leaders of Gaul. I also doubted the authority of Barae as King in a unknown area.


Economy/infrastructure wise (tech tree): Gauls > Casse > Getai > Lusotannan > Swêboz


I always liked Gaul as a civilized faction. However their proximity to rome scares me. Not because they are scary themselves, but because,I want to face a legit Roman Empire.


The Getai have the most balanced and versatile roster. And IMO the easiest start of the Barbarian factions.


I expected Sweboz to be the easiest, being my first EB faction. Getai is better though, due to their huge starting stack.


If you're Isolationist and you like infantry bodyguards, play Suebi.


I love infantry bodyguards. However, I thought I could replace Brihentin with Solduros or something.


If you're very Isolationist and you like chariot BGs, play Casse.


I detest chariot bodyguards. Vanilla Egypt! Damn you.


If you like conventional army setups, you might be best off with Getai. Or the Gallic factions.


I preferred the Gallic factions to Getai, since Getai will have to attack the home of Alexander.


If you prefer ambushing and micro, Lusotannan are the best candidate, followed by Suebi.


I,always loved Lusitanians, but their ambushing strategies don't seem too great to me. That's because I always though ambushing was a waste of time, and have only been ambushed once.


Gauls can build up a pretty solid economy, but can't recruit AP infantry and heavy spearmen in Gaul.


Arverni can recruit Arjos.


One thing to look out for if you're playing a Celtic or Germanic faction is assimilation units. You can recruit those in other factions' homelands with your factional MIC. Aedui, Arverni, and Casse can recruit Celto-Hellenic Hoplites throughout the Greek world (including Massalia), while Aedui, Arverni, and Swêboz can recruit Celto-Germanic Spearmen, in Germania (if you're Gallic) or in Celtic provinces (if you're Swêboz). Also Celto-Germanic cavalry around the Alps. So that'd be in favour of those three factions.


But do those mixes offer better soldiers than purely Germanic or Celtic Units? Plus, how would you role play rebellious usurpers who have no claim to Gaul? (Arverni) Especially with the Carnutes and the Gallic council on the side of [the Aedui? I liked Aedui more, but their units look terrible against those if Arverni.

[athanaric]

I always liked Gaul as a civilized faction. However their proximity to rome scares me. Not because they are scary themselves, but because,I want to face a legit Roman Empire.

If you take Massalia early on (it's tempting because of the big port, the strategic position, and the excellent spearmen roster that you won't get anywhere else in Gaul), Rome will throw endless stacks of heavy armour against you. Which is scary, because you can't recruit AP units in Massalia, apart from slingers. Meaning you'll probably have to periodically reinforce the town with axemen from other provinces.

But do those mixes offer better soldiers than purely Germanic or Celtic Units?

Not exactly, but the point is they are similar to your own units, recruitable in the same barracks type, in region where you can't recruit any of your own units.
Celto-Germanic Spearmen are very helpful if you conquer Gaul, because Swêboz can't get Lugoae (not the greatest of units, anyway) or any other spearmen in Gaul itself. They also have a good shield and long range javelins, which is rare among Germanic units. Also useful for Gauls because Gauls can't get Dugunthiz.
Celto-Hellenic Hoplites are armoured and thus fill a vacant niche in the Gallic roster (medium spearmen). They are a lot like Thureophoroi. Very useful unit. Arjos, meanwhile, are heavy spearmen (elite or semi-elite) and relatively expensive, and you can only recruit them in one region.
Note the huge AoR on both these units. This is what sets them apart from other useful spearmen types in the region (Belgae, Massilian Hoplites, or any of the Alpine units). Gaelaiche are good too, but they don't have armour.

Plus, how would you role play rebellious usurpers who have no claim to Gaul? (Arverni) Especially with the Carnutes and the Gallic council on the side of [the Aedui?

I don't know, you'll have to figure out for yourself I guess.

I liked Aedui more, but their units look terrible against those if Arverni.

I like the Aedui skins better (except for the general). But I guess it's a matter of taste.

[Ownager]

If you take Massalia early on (it's tempting because of the big port, the strategic position, and the excellent spearmen roster that you won't get anywhere else in Gaul), Rome will throw endless stacks of heavy armour against you. Which is scary, because you can't recruit AP units in Massalia, apart from slingers. Meaning you'll probably have to periodically reinforce the town with axemen from other provinces.

But then Rome won't expand. What's the point of facing a Eoman army that can't get out of Italy?

Not exactly, but the point is they are similar to your own units, recruitable in the same barracks type, in region where you can't recruit any of your own units.
Celto-Germanic Spearmen are very helpful if you conquer Gaul, because Swêboz can't get Lugoae (not the greatest of units, anyway) or any other spearmen in Gaul itself. They also have a good shield and long range javelins, which is rare among Germanic units. Also useful for Gauls because Gauls can't get Dugunthiz.
Celto-Hellenic Hoplites are armoured and thus fill a vacant niche in the Gallic roster (medium spearmen). They are a lot like Thureophoroi. Very useful unit. Arjos, meanwhile, are heavy spearmen (elite or semi-elite) and relatively expensive, and you can only recruit them in one region.
Note the huge AoR on both these units. This is what sets them apart from other useful spearmen types in the region (Belgae, Massilian Hoplites, or any of the Alpine units). Gaelaiche are good too, but they don't have armour.

I like the massalian hoplites among them all, as well as the Solduros for their stats. Better than Cordinau orca.

I don't know, you'll have to figure out for yourself I guess.

That the problem.

I like the Aedui skins better (except for the general). But I guess it's a matter of taste.
But the Solduros have round shields as Aedui, with red color. The Solduros of the Arverni have hexagonal shields with black and yellow. Plus the Arverni neitos have cool capes. Although ,they do have visibly smaller shields.

[athanaric]

I believe the Neitos shields for Arverni were fixed in the latest version. They should be oval now. It's just the unit card that hasn't been updated.

[Ownager]

Oh. Anyways, What IS the point of fighting a mini Roman Empire? Is that it? I wanted the empire to expand, so I kept to the East, except in the case of Carthage.

[Boriak]

I'm also focusing on the barbarian factions. I have early games in the process for Lusotannans, Getai and Casse.

Lusos have a great location. As soon as they kick Carthaginians out of Iberia, they have one front to look after. I will try to win this one without too much use of heavy infantry. Skirmishers, light infantry and light cavalry. I will use heavies only if I get hard pressed.
Speaking of a great location, Casse can hardly have a better one. You get to decide when to make the powerplay for the mainland. Kinda makes it boring for me, actually.
Getai, on the other hand, have enemies all around. I guarantee you will not be bored. My current problem are the Makedonians. If I let them come to me, their phalanxes will win simply through attrition. If I attack, I will get other enemies. We'll see.

[Bcman]

I just quit a Casse campaign.

I loved most of there infantry and i really liked how they didnt have to worry about any factions attacking them. But one of there downside is that there cavalry is just skirmishers. Also I took this campaign slow, so by the time I had taken and developed Britannia the damn Iberians were just about done taking over Gaul. So I pored my money into making the army to take them on. But when i landed in Normandy the Iberians had 3 armys waiting. I fought them but lost 50% of my force. I liked it until the Spaniards came.

[Sint]

I just quit a Casse campaign.

I loved most of there infantry and i really liked how they didnt have to worry about any factions attacking them. But one of there downside is that there cavalry is just skirmishers. Also I took this campaign slow, so by the time I had taken and developed Britannia the damn Iberians were just about done taking over Gaul. So I pored my money into making the army to take them on. But when i landed in Normandy the Iberians had 3 armys waiting. I fought them but lost 50% of my force. I liked it until the Spaniards came.

Well:
1.Attack them in their homeland
2.Build more than one stack

[athanaric]

The brown death is a common problem in EB. When attacking them, avoid their frontline against the Swêboz or Saka or Han or whoever they're fighting now. Because in that region, they'll always have multiple full stacks.
Land in Northern Spain, take the three provinces simultaneously, if possible. There will be some pre-installed regional barracks (all six barbarian factions share their regional MIC) that allow you to recruit low tier units. Upgraded to tier 4, they will allow you to recruit slingers, skirmishers, spearmen, swordsmen, axemen, and skirmisher cavalry in those specific regions (except for Galicia, which doesn't have the latter two). Try to take as many provinces as possible before the main Lusitani armies arrive. The Lusitanian homeland should be the next target, because you can recruit decent medium spearmen there (Gestikapoinann and Scortamareva).
Try to take the whole peninsula from them, then work your way up to Gaul. Wherever you go, destroy the Lusotannan factional MIC (Not the regional one! Also, not the Gallic one! Check the descriptions) for extra cash and just in case you have to abandon that particular settlement.
That way, there won't be a threat from your back. Also, the mines in Iberia should be enough to pay for the entire operation. In Gaul, you'll be able to recruit heavy cavalry somewhere. At the very least, in Bratosporios.


Also, when fighting Lusotannan, bring lots of longswordsmen (Botroas, Milnaht) and cavalry.

[yuezhi]

Kill the batman.

A proper solution:
Annex their mining provinces.

[Ownager]

You shall not pass.

Since we are naming random quotes, I always felt the Sweboz lacked in heavy infantry. Casse lacked in heavy cavalry since their bodyguards were chariots. And Aedui lacked in variety from their enemies.

[Stath's]

mod the reforms so you would be able to train their reformed heavy infantry early.

[Ownager]

That just make a the game too easy. Plus, their heavy swordsmen lack the "coolness" of Solduros and Rycalawre.

[Team Sleep]

I would first suggest Casse. Great early game, skirmishing and building economy. Solidify the tin isles and than choose multiple foot holds on the mainland in the midst of a warring continent. Mid game is all about maintaining mainland alliances as long as possible and always preparing for the red threat. Lusos WILL betray you eventually. Great infantry and yes...yes..yess....cavalry is lack luster...but I mean seriously...is there nothing that Gallic light & heavy cavalry can't do? Although there may not be much variety in that area...there is an all purpose feel to them. Late game you should be competing your conquest of Iberia, deciding what to do w/ Africa & the Mediterranian Islands...and going through either fleeing from or running over the Italian peninsula for the umpteenth time. When it comes to the barbs other than Swebi & Getai I am a true believer in the DEEP PENETRATION campaigns....that's where you gently slide 1 -2 solid hardened armies deep deep deep deep into Roman territory and COMPLETELY ruin & defile everything you touch when inside. Drop your seeds (allied generals) inside the newly taken territories. You can choose to marry the new territories...or pass them off as sloppy seconds to your allies and gift them away to create a buffer zone. Oh side note...you'll roll in dough...but damn...shipping armies across the channel can get expensive....build those foot holds early on...

Luso is an awesome campaign too. Solid line units, Great initial position, and the oppritunity to get flogged by 2 superpowers @ 1 time. Awesome Cavalry in the west too. I'm talking about the Iberian Heavy Cavalry. You like skirmishing and ambushing? BOOM! DONE! That's in there too. I considered this faction to be the steam rollers of the barbarian factions.

Now let me flip this on you Ownager....I'm thinking of switching up from barbarian factions to nomads...I was thinking of Sarmatia or Saka...But I wont rule out Armenia or Parthia. I thought you have some knowledge in this area. What do you think & why?

[Ownager]

Ah, nomads my specialty. Sarmatia starts with strong defenders around them, well able to hold you off and ruin you in early game. However, Sarmatians are an almost exclusively horse archer faction, with little infantry and only some heavy cavalry. Saka is a jack of all trades, but master of all. It has solid horse archer units, with Saka riders being worth every mnai. Later on, it can face even Hellenic armies like AS with their heavy hoplites and their Cataphract cavalry. They are pretty hard though, since you have to be an experienced player in horse archer battles. Armenia is usually a hard faction to play, since they have infantry, which makes you want to use them, but at the same time, had beautiful cavalry. I always considered Armenia a waste, since they can't face Greeks in infantry and are settled, so don't get bonuses using cavalry. Parthia, or Pahlava is my ultimate favorite. While you HAVE to blitz to survive at first, later on it is destruction. You need to take Marakanda, Hekatomyplos, Zadrakata, Antiocheia-Margiane, and Asaak quickly, but then you will have enough money for a strong horse archer army. After that, Pahlav will replace some of their horse archers with heavy cavalry, who deliver a final blow. That charge is glorious, especially on phalanxes. I would recommend Pahlav, since they are the easiest of the four. Armenia is the hardest, Saka next, then Sauromatae.

[seleucid empire]

Ah, nomads my specialty. Sarmatia starts with strong defenders around them, well able to hold you off and ruin you in early game. However, Sarmatians are an almost exclusively horse archer faction, with little infantry and only some heavy cavalry. Saka is a jack of all trades, but master of all. It has solid horse archer units, with Saka riders being worth every mnai. Later on, it can face even Hellenic armies like AS with their heavy hoplites and their Cataphract cavalry. They are pretty hard though, since you have to be an experienced player in horse archer battles. Armenia is usually a hard faction to play, since they have infantry, which makes you want to use them, but at the same time, had beautiful cavalry. I always considered Armenia a waste, since they can't face Greeks in infantry and are settled, so don't get bonuses using cavalry. Parthia, or Pahlava is my ultimate favorite. While you HAVE to blitz to survive at first, later on it is destruction. You need to take Marakanda, Hekatomyplos, Zadrakata, Antiocheia-Margiane, and Asaak quickly, but then you will have enough money for a strong horse archer army. After that, Pahlav will replace some of their horse archers with heavy cavalry, who deliver a final blow. That charge is glorious, especially on phalanxes. I would recommend Pahlav, since they are the easiest of the four. Armenia is the hardest, Saka next, then Sauromatae.

hmm, I would personally rate Sarmatians as harder than armenia just because their tech tree and economy is so bad. I couldnt build anything for the first few turns and i basically just ended up rampaging through the balkans before quitting.

I do enjoyed playing the "civilised" factions more tbh