Syracusan Units

[RexImperator]

BLANK

[Kinjo]

Gastraphetes would be a cool addition.

[jamreal18]

Yeah, im also underwhelmed with Syracuse. Only 1 unit.

Aside from that, there will be 2 versions. The one with walls and the one without walls.

Anyways, I support Gastraphetes and Syracusan Cavalry.
They sell them but they dont have proper unit roster. That is not right.

[IGdood]

Don't forget hippotoxotai (horse archers) according to RS2's research

[prithupaul]

Currently is there a difference between the rosters of Syracuse and Athens? Honga.net says they are the same. Strange that the one new units Syracuse is getting, Athens is also getting.

I would like to see some Italian influence on Syracusean Units.

[Vardeus]

Currently is there a difference between the rosters of Syracuse and Athens? Honga.net says they are the same. Strange that the one new units Syracuse is getting, Athens is also getting.

I would like to see some Italian influence on Syracusean Units.

They share entries on the DB. Athens/syracuse are basically the same.

[Kraut and Tea]

Just one new hoplite unit.

As if the faction didn`t already have enought spear units (in total it has 7).

Also note that the additions for Celtebria are very weak aswell. The only thing slightly interesting there are "Painted Warriors".

As units go, this DLC is almoust more of a Mercenery and Auxilary units pack.

I hope that Syracuse will also get some unique buildings and to see the greek colonists of north-eastern Spain.

[The Outsider]

Its a real shame to be honest. I understand that they want to milk the game, but at least give something to the community in return not just one measly re-skin..

[Dumanthis]

Well, we already got superdogs, snake and scorpions and bees, so why not Archimedes Solar Ray Machines to burn enemy ships?

[daelin4]

Funny. I recently read an article by a British historian and professor who states that the rulers of Syracuse were not as brutal as many of us want to believe. In fact, they might have been amongst the best leaders that a Greek city state could have had.

The Romans, especialy their historians, simply demonised the leaders of Syracuse as sadistic monsters for the purpose of Roman propaganda.

The bad reputation that the kings of Syracuse have are a myth and simply another case of history writen by victors.

The Greek use of the word tyrant refers to a monarch in its most general usage; so in all technicality, a Tyrant was the same as calling someone a king: in those days, it's an accusation of illegitimacy, often backed by what we now associated with the term- stories of cruelty and absolutism. Unlike today however it is often used neutrally as well.

It's like "Americano" and "Diluted Espresso". Sure they're the same thing, but if you wish to evoke a different feeling you better know which one to use!

so why not Archimedes Solar Ray Machines to burn enemy ships?

They got that covered: the sailors use torches!

[Sherm]

Yes, i was disappointed, Syracuse and Athens are the same factions, I expected some cool units, now i can't imagine a reason to play them in the grand campaign, in that island to should be Sicily. Maybe we will see a DLC that add units, and this will be more disappointing. Can I have hope for the free update that will add units to Carthage?

[weirdoascensor]

I'm also supports Gastraphretes to be a good addition - Very Unique, with a new Crossbow animation...Medieval or Chinese Modders can benefit from this...

...But I'm not betting CA will bother to make such things, however...never expect much...

[Darios]

I'm also supports Gastraphretes to be a good addition - Very Unique, with a new Crossbow animation...Medieval or Chinese Modders can benefit from this...

...But I'm not betting CA will bother to make such things, however...never expect much...

Ha! You think CA would take the time to create new animations? Nope, they're just going to give us another pointless unit not unlike something that Syracuse probably already has. R2 cannot even give us diversity in hoplite shield design.

[neoptolemos]

With Syracuse become playable in Hannibal at the Gates I will be very disappointed if they only receive one unique unit, Chosen Hoplites, which they would share with Athens.

There are a good number of historically flavoured units which Syracuse could have available without being bland.
A couple that I propose.

-Tyrant Guard
Inspired by the mercenary guards of the Syracusan tyrants and kings

-Siceliote Greek Cavalry
Syracusans were more adept as cavalrymen than many Greek poleis

-Gastraphetes Bowman
Early crossbows, representing Syracuse's apptitude for engineering

-Mamertine Infantry
Socii extraordinarii type unit, originally brought over to Sicily as mercenaries.

-Sicel Light Infantry
Native Inhabitants of Sicily, often fought in (or against) Syracusan armies.

-Cyllyrii Theurophoroi
Slave class of Syracuse freed and conscripted in times of war.

-Archimedean Ballista
Elitr ballista unit designed by Archimedes

-Picked Archers
Hiero had sentva unit of picked archers to aid the Romans against Hannibal

When I researched Syracuse for the TWH unit pack, I come up with the same context of the units.
Well put my friend +rep

[Ayleid]

What we're looking at now, in terms of the greek factions, is just more of the same. Macedon, Sparta and Epirus to a degree all have varying unit rosters. Or atleast something which sets them apart. Like otherwise stated above, adding just 1 new unit to the Syracusan roster is imo bad enough for the sake of variety, but another spear unit? Really? I mean, it's accurate given the historical context. But weren't we promised 'historical authenticity' on the lead up to the release of R2:TW? Gastraphetes would fill a niche, and give reason for people to choose Syracuse to play as. Not to mention as it stands, if the above posters are correct, that if they will be a clone of Athens then who's going to even consider them in multiplayer/etc.

I know I'm going to be unpopular in writing this, but I guess it's not the end of the world. As it's inevitable a kind of Elite units DLC is in the pipeworks, I'll just buy the units then..

[GideonAI]

Well, if people really want some crossbows, I suppose I could look into modding it. If you think about the bow loading and firing animation and just picture a crossbow in it's place, it would be fairly decent.

[Kraut and Tea]

-Tyrant Guard
Inspired by the mercenary guards of the Syracusan tyrants and kings

Funny. I recently read an article by a British historian and professor who states that the rulers of Syracuse were not as brutal as many of us want to believe. In fact, they might have been amongst the best leaders that a Greek city state could have had.

The Romans, especialy their historians, simply demonised the leaders of Syracuse as sadistic monsters for the purpose of Roman propaganda.

The bad reputation that the kings of Syracuse have are a myth and simply another case of history writen by victors.

[RexImperator]

Except that most our sources for them are Greek.

Regardless of whether we believe them to be more or less brutal than they are portrayed it cannot be denied that they mostly took power unconstitutionally (the literal meaning of Tyrant) and relied on Mercenaries to keep them in power. And though Hiero and Gelon both seem to have been enlightened despots they were still despots living in a brutal time where all rulers did brutal things.

[jamreal18]

I made a request thread including gastraphetes and syracusan cavalry in official forum. Even tyrant guards... these units should be included in Syracuse roster in vanilla...

I hope CA notices my thread...

[Maleventum]

the Syracusans employed large amount of mercenaries, other Greeks, Etruscans, Lucanians, Campanians, Celts, even Iberians