[PREVIEW] - The Getae
Faction Preview: The Getae
Units
This faction overhaul is a complete revamp and changes the appearance of all Dacian units, and adds 16 new units to the Dacian tribes. Here are some pictures of the new and remade units:
Melee Infantry
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The Druhtiz Bastarnisku ("Bastarnae Warband") is a druhtiz (warband) comprised of fierce and resolute warriors, well aware of their role on the battlefield as shock troops. The falx is an intimidating weapon, especially in the hands of these experienced warriors. These men can hack a hole in almost any enemy battle line. They are the essential shock troops of any Dacian army.
The battle-line warriors of the Karp and Kostobok tribes, aside from their large contingents of Drapanai, are the Pelekuphoroi, wielders of bronze axes and sturdy round shields. Their scale leather is meant at least as much to protect against Skythian arrows as against Bastarnai spears, and will do little to stop a heavy, curved falx blade. These fast, hardy troops are best used in ambushes, hit-and-run attacks, or flanking maneuvers against heavier warriors, but are fierce enough to stand in the battle line if the situation demands it.
The Drapanai contingents are made up of resolute warriors, well aware of their role on the battlefield as shock troops. While the average Getic soldier tells himself he is immortal, the Drapanai, more than any others, join battle without fear of death. They fight bare-chested and with only trousers. Their trademark though is the falx, a vicious blade capable of severing limbs and causing horrible wounds with a single, crushing blow. Their lack of armor might be a drawback against concentrated enemy missile fire and they should thus not be exposed to enemy ranged infantry needlessly.
The Ischyroi Orditon, or "Mighty men of the Ordes," are the elite guard among the Getai. They trace their lineage back to the old capital at Helis, are the pinnacle of the Getic noble infantry. Armed with a long thrusting spear and either a sica or celtic sword, they can be very effective in close combat with infantry. Protected by an Thraikian helm with a large crest, imported from Hellas, a large oval shield, a coat of mail, they are one of the most heavily armored units in any Getic army.
Spear Infantry
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Pike Infantry
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The tribes that came into contact with the Hellenic poleis founded on the western shores of the Pontos Euxine formed a distinct breed of warriors. These men were renowned for their fierceness, and all Makedonian expeditions sent against them effectively disappeared in the "Getic wasteland", while Makedonian kings like Lysimakos knew Getic captivity. Their contact with the Hellenic poleis made them well familiarized with the phalanx formation. These men are equipped with Phrygian helmets, padded leather armor and large oval shields. For weapons, they carry a spear and a sica into battle, similar to most Hellenic phalanx soldiers.
These troops were raised once the Getic state reached a strong level of organization. The rank and file of the Getic professional troops, these men are well adapted to dense forested areas, thus their cohesion does not suffer from fighting in rough terrain when in close formation. These warriors wear mail shirts, and Phrygian helmets over their traditional wool shirts and trousers, befitting their status as professionals.
Missile Infantry
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In times of war, hunters and skilled archers thus formed into war bands. Apart from the bow they only have a short spear and wear leather armor
and trousers for protection.
These men are wealthy komatai drawn from the Getic tribes dwelling along the Karpathes. They are armored with studded leather armor, trousers and armed with the bow. Their incessant fighting in more recent years against migrating Celtic tribes led many of them to adopt the Celtic-style longsword, which made them deadly when closing in for the kill. Unlike most other archers though, these men can perform well in close combat, although they are most effective against weakened, exposed, or tired foes.
These skirmishers are a valuable addition to any dacian army and can perform superbly in rough terrain. They carry no armor to speak of, except small round shields, and are armed with slings and a dagger. They are usually very young men and their role is merely to try and force the enemy into acting rashly, even though unarmored troops could pay much more dearly if facing them.
The Komatai, also called 'daoi' or 'wolves,' make up the bulk of the tribal forces of the Getai. They fight bare-headed to assure the gods of their fervor and willingness to arrive at their side. The Komatai go to battle wearing studded leather armor, trousers and a large oval shield. They also carry with them javelins and a sica. If forced into melee they can hold their own against other light and even some medium infantry.
The Komatai Epilektoi are a unit of soldiers selected from among the Komatai. Selected for their better equipment and superior physical abilities, the Komatai Epilektoi are a step beyond the standard Komatai. Equipped with the same studded leather armor worn over trousers and woolen shirts, most of these men also wear a simple iron helmet. They also can afford higher quality shields and better weapons: two heavier, well-made iron throwing spears and a Celtic long-sword are fairly standard. With their better equipment, they can stand in the battle line.
Cavalry
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The Getai horse archers have a long and proud tradition, having developed superb skills in confrontations with the Skythai and Sauromatai. These Getai warriors are not drawn from every Getic tribe, but from the tribes living in the Danube-delta area or from the Agathyrsoi living inside the arch of the Karpathes. The Hellenes called all men living in modern-day Romania & northern Bulgaria for Getai after this tribe, while the Romans called them Dacians, which is the norm today.
These horsemen form the mounted counterparts of the Komatai war bands. They ride into battle armored with studded leather armor and trousers, while carrying javelins and short swords. Their nimble horses allow for very good performance in any type of terrain, being often used to screen flanks, charge home and for pursuit once an enemy is broken.
These men, the Ktistai, or "the ones set apart" are members of the most prestigious Getic priesthood. Apart from fulfilling many important roles in Getic society, some of the ktistai (all drawn from the tarabostes nobility) also form small cavalry forces of elite warriors. They are elite warriors who know how to use the bow and the falx, the two most important weapons in Getic society. Their armor is also of high quality: the Ktistai ride to battle armored with mail shirts and animal fur worn on the back. The Ktistai will never break, disobey or act without orders, and more than other warriors, truly believe their souls immortal. They can only be recruited in places with a highly developed religious infrastructure.
The Tarabostes are mounted war bands comprising warriors, usually veterans, attached to a war chief. They often form the main volunteer force for pillage raids. Being attached to the Getic nobility these warriors often have better equipment than their fellow Getic warriors. They are armored with chain-mail and large oval shields. They carry a spear and the sica blade. They are fearsome all-round cavalry, well armored and looking upon war as a class-affair.
The strong ties developed between royalty and the ktistai priesthood made these zealots the perfect recruitement basin for the king's guards. The beltistai's loyalty is unquestionable and their ferocity unmatched. The ktistai were so close to the king, that the succesor would either be chosen from their ranks, or become pontifex maximus of the priesthood. The ones recruited for the beltistai korps must have been trained from infancy, while the secretive nature of their order must have been ideal for the purposes of any strong ruler.
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Originally Posted by eNVee
