[Ideas] Next Mod: Balkans

[Sebidee]

Hi guys, the next mod out will be an expansion of the Getae, Odryssians and Adriaei. It is still in research stage which is going on behind the scenes. Here you can help us out and make suggestions on what you would like to see. All suggestions are welcome!!

[KrathorReach]

A Berserker unit for the Getae or a Hoplite unit for Balkan factions

[Sebidee]

A Berserker unit for the Getae or a Hoplite unit for Balkan factions

I think hoplites would be good, maybe a little weaker and with a sort of Thracian flare. What did you have in mind for the berserkers? I don't know if a Suebi style would fit.

[KrathorReach]

A unit for Ardiaei could be Illyrian Shield-Bearers or Illyrian Silver-Shield Swordsmen/Pikemen just a few ideas.

[KrathorReach]

A Berserker with Dacian traits maybe a mix with Getae Heavy Spears and Suebi Berserkers, a sort of Heavy Berserkers with both unit traits or possibly a Balkan unit like the Iceni "Painted Ones" with Thracian traits sort of like a "Painted Falxmen".

[Sebidee]

Ok cool, thanks KrathorReach I'll keep them in mind.

[Subotai!]

I was SOOO glad to see head hurlers for the Iceni, such an awesome touch!
My suggestions for the Aridae:
Marines are now a sword unit (as they were worthless before when you could get hoplites)
A semi-elite sica sword unit
Illyrian Slingers
Illyrian Pirates: Kind of like agrarian axemen, but when the army is in the water, they have a raiding helmona instead of a transport.
Mounted Raiders: Missile Axe riding horsemen
Mountain Pikemen: Greek adopted tactics - pikemen
Aridaean Nobles: Heavy cavalry

[Sebidee]

I'm not sure about pikemen but the other stuff ther is pretty solid Subotail. What about elite axemen too?

[Dude with the Food]

Elite axemen would make more sense but pikemen could be a late game unit.

[Sebidee]

I don't think Pikemen would really fit. Its not entirely historical and it's not as if the same factions had them in Rome 1. I really like some of these ideas though keep going!

[Abot_]

According to this source, earlier Illyrian armies used a Macedonian phalanx in battle but moving towards the time of Rome II, according to this source, they had replaced the phalanx with the style that is represented by the current units (hoplites and light infantry).

As for suggestions, I have a few. The article on Illyrian warfare also mentions the use of archers, trained heavy swordsmen (with formation attack), and one in particular that I think would make a unique unit would be light axe-throwing or axe-wielding cavalry. Obviously Wikipedia is not the ideal place to look for historical information but to be honest there is not a lot of other easily accessible information about Illyrian militaries out there.

[Sebidee]

Fantastic, thanks for that stuff Abot. The thing about the Phalanxes is not whether they are historical or not, it's that having phalanxes would significantly change the play style of the Illyrians especially in the early game. I have a feeling that phalanxes are the basis of most average players armies because they are relatively strong and very easy to use. If the Illyrians had them then most people would just use thm or else be forced to use them which would turn them into another successor faction.

[Abot_]

Or if you wanted to include a phalanx unit I think the best way for it to work would be to not use the generic levy/regular/thorax/elite progression and instead do something different. For instance, start with an Illyrian pike unit that would perform like Germania's Spear Warband phalanx from Rome 1 (a fairly weak unit), and at a certain point in time or after some sort of reform they upgrade into a better hoplite unit to represent how the army developed historically. But I agree, it wouldn't be good for them to turn into a successor kingdom kind of faction.

[Sebidee]

I definitely like the idea of implementing upgrades for all of the factions at some point. It's a really nice feature.

[Falcor]

I think it is plausible enough for a semi-elite Sica infantry unit that can hide like the assassins for Hungary in Medieval II.

[Sebidee]

I think it is plausible enough for a semi-elite Sica infantry unit that can hide like the assassins for Hungary in Medieval II.

Plausible, if maybe a stretch I think some ambush units should be included.

[Falcor]

I've found this game's unit listings to be historical and good for a base idea to expand on. http://www.dbaol.com/armies.htm It covers broad periods and looks fun if you can't play TW.
Also I think the falx isn't curved enough to show difference from Rhomphaia, also Rhomphaia could be used in tight formation for a spear-like anti-cavalry option. Illyrian sica elites make sense, Romans associated the weapon with them and assassins called Sicarius. A lot on wiki but I read cites and found other sources. Also Pinterest is a great source of example armor and weapons.

[Sebidee]

I've found this game's unit listings to be historical and good for a base idea to expand on. http://www.dbaol.com/armies.htm It covers broad periods and looks fun if you can't play TW.
Also I think the falx isn't curved enough to show difference from Rhomphaia, also Rhomphaia could be used in tight formation for a spear-like anti-cavalry option. Illyrian sica elites make sense, Romans associated the weapon with them and assassins called Sicarius. A lot on wiki but I read cites and found other sources. Also Pinterest is a great source of example armor and weapons.

Thanks Falcor, that website isn't a bad source. What are the other sources that you've mentioned?

[Falcor]

I think it is plausable enough for a semi-elite Sica infantry unit that can hide like the assassins for Hungary in Medieval II.

[Falcor]

Dang don't see how to remove misspelled post... I will compile sources. I've been researching Balkan units for the last few weeks but have to group everything together. Mostly historical references direct from source and some historians' published works. I'll go through my history and find the best stuff.