Desert Legionary Defectors are overused by the North African Factions

**Yomamashouse** · October 15, 2015, 10:50 AM

It feels like they may as well just make roman cohorts a regular unit in the North African factions. Every few turns 2 large stacks with 6-10 of these guys shows up. I am sure that deserters were used as mercenaries in real life, but at this point it feels like fighting the north African factions is like facing another Roman faction.

I tried playing radious mod but it was even worse, with the incredibly low upkeeps they were even more common in African armies.

**vin2579** · October 15, 2015, 11:49 PM

I don't mind it honestly, of course I do wish we had different variations such as cav/archer defectors.

**Darios** · October 15, 2015, 11:58 PM

Originally Posted by Yomamashouse

It feels like they may as well just make roman cohorts a regular unit in the North African factions. Every few turns 2 large stacks with 6-10 of these guys shows up. I am sure that deserters were used as mercenaries in real life, but at this point it feels like fighting the north African factions is like facing another Roman faction.

I tried playing radious mod but it was even worse, with the incredibly low upkeeps they were even more common in African armies.

I don't feel that there are an overwhelming number of legionary defectors in game, the problem is that we simply notice them more due people in general associate them with being a powerful iconic unit. Personally, I feel that there should be more legionary defector/Romaic units in the game, especially in the European mercenary pool.

**Northern Musa** · October 16, 2015, 07:28 AM

Originally Posted by Darios

I don't feel that there are an overwhelming number of legionary defectors in game, the problem is that we simply notice them more due people in general associate them with being a powerful iconic unit. Personally, I feel that there should be more legionary defector/Romaic units in the game, especially in the European mercenary pool.

I agree. After all, these units could represent the Roman influence/presence in North Africa. I think these units should be also available to Aksum and Himyar as they were able to previously before the release of EoS DLC. It's sad that CA took these units out of these factions. Speaking of these units, I stand with you on the addition of more Roman mercenaries in Europe. It's quite bizarre to find Germanic mercenaries in non-frontier regions, where I believe had low Germanic population. Ballistarii are the only Roman mercenary unit, which is only recruitable in Venetia. Their extension is an absolute necessity.

**command_codes** · October 17, 2015, 04:52 PM

Originally Posted by Northern Musa

I agree. After all, these units could represent the Roman influence/presence in North Africa. I think these units should be also available to Aksum and Himyar as they were able to previously before the release of EoS DLC. It's sad that CA took these units out of these factions. Speaking of these units, I stand with you on the addition of more Roman mercenaries in Europe. It's quite bizarre to find Germanic mercenaries in non-frontier regions, where I believe had low Germanic population. Ballistarii are the only Roman mercenary unit, which is only recruitable in Venetia. Their extension is an absolute necessity.

Roman military presence in North Africa was minimal, which was one of the most peaceful areas of the Empire, believe it or not. Germanic tribes exported fighting men across the Roman world in this period

**Northern Musa** · October 18, 2015, 12:10 AM

Originally Posted by command_codes

Roman military presence in North Africa was minimal, which was one of the most peaceful areas of the Empire, believe it or not. Germanic tribes exported fighting men across the Roman world in this period

You are definitely right on the influx of Germanic warriors within the Roman legions. However, I don't think it's right to have the same Germanic units East of the Rhine with the mercenaries within the Roman empires. The foederati within the Roman boundaries were often under supervision of Roman military, who oversaw the training of the foederati. Alaric was said to have been training as a warrior since young age under the supervision of Roman advisers. The fighting style of the men of a foederatus wouldn't show the resemble of a traditional Germanic warriors. Also, a lot of warriors of a foederatus could gain promotion, and eventually make it to the regular Roman military. I think units like the Foederati Spears would make a better mercenary unit within the Roman territory.

**douglas** · October 22, 2015, 05:13 AM

I really don't have a problem with them. Nice unit to have most of the time.

**Aurelius Silvanus Tacitus** · October 23, 2015, 09:15 AM

Don't think they are overused (unlike onagers), I would just like to see more such units. I mean I think there are very few mercenaries for such a vast world

**EmperorBatman999** · October 24, 2015, 10:45 AM

I agree, but it seems to me that the AI tries to recruit units that take the least time and have the most value, so Legionary Defectors are a good choice in the AI's processing.

On a similar note, I think that the Romans themselves recruit way too many Palatina units. I remember fighting entire Palatina Legions towards the late game and I kind of wish I could've done battle with normal Comitatenses.