Faction difficulty ratings (your help is needed)

[leongiannakos]

I mean military conquest or tributary state? and then to democracy or oligarchy

[realm56]

I mean military conquest or tributary state? and then to democracy or oligarchy

Military conquest is the precursor government required to advance to both Hellenic and Supervised Hellenistic Administration. On a whole, factional governments that stem from Military conquest will in general provide superior recruitment and infrastructure options in the long term than the allied democracies and oligarchies that stem from tributary state. Kindly refer to the EB 2.35 R2 guide for further details.

[realm56]

Makedonia (2.35A)

Difficulty:

Difficulty played: Hard/Moderate

Early (Turns 0-60): Very Hard
Mid (Turns 61-200): Moderate-Hard
Late (Turns 200+): Easy

Changes from 2.35:

• New Imperial Reform and administration.
• Reformed Colony changes (Applied for all factions capable of building Hellenistic military colonies ).

Campaign:

Makedonia and Hellas at large is in a ruinous state! The trail of destruction that Brennos and his Keltoi horde has left our homeland in a very sorry state with no end to the misery in sight. To magnify our troubles, the blasted 'Basileos' of the Epirotes, Pyrrhos Aetos has managed to capture the ancestral capital of the Makedonians, Pella. To further add insult to injury, he left Makedonia in the hands of Galatai mercenaries and has lost control of them, leading to the desecration of the tombs of the Argedai in sacred Aigai. Pyrrhos is no different from the other pretenders like Ptolomaios Keraunos, Kassandros and Lysimachos who sought to subjugate the Makedonians who by right should be the rulers of the world. In the Peloponnesos, the strategoi you put in charge of the garrison of Korinthos, Krateros is on the brink of being put under heavy pressure by the incoming army of Pyrrhos. In the rest of Hellas, both the Aetolian and Chremonidean Leagues assert their independence at your expense with Ptolemaic money and naval support. However perilous the situation may seem, a few, well executed maneuvers in the right place and time could turn the situation on its head.

You first order of business is to liberate Pella and Aigai from the Galatai mercenaries who garrison Pella. Simultaneously, you could order Krateros and you son Alkyleous to merge their forces to better withstand a possible siege by Pyrrhos. With that done, your next step should be to expel Pyrrhos from the Peloponnesos and bring Sparta and Athenai to heel by capturing their cities. Be sure to leave adequate forces in Pella to dissuade and repel Dardanian, Moesian and Illiryian raiders. Inevitably, your successes will cause great concern among the Ptolomaioi and encourage them to send mercenaries to trouble you in Makedonia.

To put a stop to the barbaroi raids and the Ptolemaic mercenary incursions , you must capture Dardania, Thrakia, Moesia and Chersonesos Thraikike kai Bosporos Thraikios. But you will not have very long to celebrate your successes, world has reached our ears of a distant Antipatrid claimant, who, with the blessing of the Ptolomaioi, is currently amassing funds, raising an army and is awaiting a chance to wrestle the diadem from you at the 'Pharaoh's' behest.

From there, your priority is to stabilize your new gains in Hellas and beyond. You should also watch the events unfolding both in the east and the west of your borders. Wait for your chance to go into Asia once more, like Alexandros once did.



Governments:

The turmoil that has engulfed Hellas has certainly done its damage on the administration that Makedonia can implement. However, if you can reassert control over the holdings of your late grandfather and more, perhaps a much more suitable model of administration may be rediscovered beneath the rubble that is Megas Alexandros' empire.

Currently, this is what we can prepare as far as administration is concerned....

Strategia:

The only viable government for Hellenistic territories with both Hellenistic polis and military colonies, it will suffice early on but it will show its age as the settlement grows in size and complexity.

Larrchia:

A solid choice for Non-Hellenistic territories with good PO benefits and native recruitment at the cost of advanced infrastructure.

Eleuthera kai Autonomia:

The best option you have currently for Hellenic territories with polis but no military colony, it provides access to a good variety of infrastructure and the ability to build up to the 2nd level of Hellenistic military colony.


In the event that you are able to restore Antigonidai rule to Asia, especially the old power centers of Phrygia (Ipsos) and Syria (Antigoneia/Antiochiea), these options will be open to us:

Epistateia epi Laous:

This government is a step up from Larrchia which sacrifices Public order for slightly improved native recruitment and infrastructure (Most prominently, the highest tier local military colony) but can upgrade to higher tier administrations which will be explained below.

Epistateia epi Hellenas:

You will be familiar with this more closely supervised version of the Hellenic administration. This government will provide excellent civic and military options. The highest tier Hellenistic military colony can be built here. However, due to the more oppressive nature of your social and military elite compared to those of the Seleucids, this government can only be established in Hellas, Thrakia and Hellenized parts of western Anatolia and the Pontic shore. You can build the Basilike Patris form this government provided that both the second level polis and Hellenistic military colony are present.

Satrapeia (New):

This divergent option for a high tier government available in satrapy provinces in the old Achaemenid empire given that you have a local or Hellenistic military colony, its benefits are mostly the same as those granted to Epistateia epi Hellenas.You can build the Basilike Patris form this government provided that both the second level polis and Hellenistic military colony are present.

Basilike Patris:

This is the highest level government that Makedonia can build, providing access to the the very best military and civic infrastructure that your kingdom can bring to that table along with healthy bonuses to happiness and law. It is advised that you do not rush to build this government as it will be built for you when the following events happen:

• The Makedonians acknowledge you as the rightful Basileos (BP automatically built in Pella)
• You gain the title of Kurios tes Asia when Babylonia is captured (BP automatically built in Babylon)

However, the BP can be built in Antiogneia as this was the seat of power of your grandfather Antigonos Monophalamos before he perished at Ipsos and your father Demetrios Polioketes was forced to flee to Hellas elude capture.


Diplomacy:

​Diadochi and Hellenes:

Epeiros:

​That accursed Pyrrhos is at it again! He is as much of a plague to you as he was to your father and the pretender Ptolemios Keraunos, so much so that the late Keraunos had to grudgingly provide Phalangites to him, just to encourage him to wander off to his Italian and Sicilian adventures and bother him no more. Even now, he took advantage of your sorry state after the Keltoi invasions to wrestle control of sacred Pella from you. Furthermore, his inability to control his Galatai troops has lead to the desecration of the Argeadai tombs which has sparked universal outrage among all Makedones. Meanwhile, your holdings in the Peloponnesos are in grave danger from the threat that is Pyrrhos himself as he moves on Sparta, as such, the Peloponnesos must be held at all costs to tie him down until you have reasserted control over Makedonia. Perhaps it may be long past time that Epeiros itself come under your dominion.

Konion Hellenon:

The free polities of Southern Hellas and their allies have never fully accepted Makedonian suzerainty, Alexandros tried and was successful as long has he still drew breath but the League of Korinthos has all but fallen apart in the last 50 years. These very same polities have united under the Chremonidean League and oppose your presence in Hellas with financial and military aid from the Ptolomaioi. Your authority must once again be felt in their lands. The time for leniency has long past, the conspirators who formed the league must all be put to the sword and the Hellenes to be once again united with common purpose!

Arche Seleukia:

Ah, the realm of the strongest Diadochi kingdom. You are currently allied to Antiochos Soter due to your shared enmity of the interference of the Ptolomaioi in your respective spheres of influence. But remember! it was Antiochos's father along with Lysimachos who ended the hopes of your father and grandfather to reunite the shattered empire on the bloody fields of Ipsos. That stain on your family's honor has not been forgotten nor forgiven! If Hellas is united under your banner once more and all internal challenges to your rule quashed, perhaps retracing Alexandros' steps may be just what you need to immortalize the good name of your family. That first step will most certainly be at the expense of Seleukid interests.

Ptolomaioi:

The Ptolomaioi have once again proven their cravenness by sending ships and sell swords to aid another in their struggle against you rather than marching a proper army against you! Their 'Pharaoh' is no leader of men, he would rather read and recite poetry than lead his men against you himself! Cravenness aside, their interference has galvanized the Chremonidean League and has caused you no small amount of grief. Dissolving that league and rebuilding your navy will cut off the avenues that the Ptolomaioi use to interfere in your affairs. This will be crucial; word is starting to filter in of a long lost Antipatrid pretender who is currently amassing a mercenary army to seize your throne with the blessing of the 'Pharaoh'. Do not let this happen!

Pergamon:

These last dregs of Lysimachos' powerbase cling on to relevance in the polis of Pergamon along with 9000 talents. However, the position that they hold is stronger than it first appears and they have done well diplomatically thus far by ingratiating themselves with the Seleukidai. They watch the chaos unfolding in Hellas with vested interest in the same manner as a spectator in a theatre play. Seleukidai control over Mikira Asia will not last forever and these rabble will seize their chance to try the diadem for size. Their gaze may turn to Hellas itself and they will stop anyone power in the current struggle from achieving dominion over all Hellas. Repel them and exact punishment if they dare!

Barbaroi:

Getai:

These barbaroi and their kinsmen to their north and south has done much to frustrate Lysimachos and have even caused a sizeable Hellenistic force under Zopyrion to disappear into thin air. Their tacit backing of Moesian raids into Makedonia cannot go unpunished. A concerted effort into their lands may serve to deter any further support to Thrakian raiders looking to do the same.


Closing remarks:

Khaire, Basileu! We hope this finds you well. Our situation may at first appear dire, but take heart! You will soon be the rightful ruler of the Makedonians once more. Perhaps you and your descendants will achieve what Alexander and the Diadochi who opposed your grandfather failed to achieve, The implementation of lasting, uncontested and divine rule over all Persis just like the Persioi Shahinshahs of old! May Zeus Olympius guide your every move!

[eyelurker]

Makedonia (2.35A)

Difficulty:

Difficulty played: Hard/Moderate

Early (Turns 0-60): Very Hard
Mid (Turns 61-200): Moderate-Hard
Late (Turns 200+): Easy

Changes from 2.35:

• New Imperial Reform and administration.
• Reformed Colony changes (Applied for all factions capable of building Hellenistic military colonies ).

Campaign:

Makedonia and Hellas at large is in a ruinous state! The trail of destruction that Brennos and his Keltoi horde has left our homeland in a very sorry state with no end to the misery in sight. To magnify our troubles, the blasted 'Basileos' of the Epirotes, Pyrrhos Aetos has managed to capture the ancestral capital of the Makedonians, Pella. To further add insult to injury, he left Makedonia in the hands of Galatai mercenaries and has lost control of them, leading to the desecration of the tombs of the Argedai in sacred Aigai. Pyrrhos is no different from the other pretenders like Ptolomaios Keraunos, Cassandros and Lysimachos who sought to subjugate the Makedonians who my right should be the rulers of the world. In the Peloponnesos, the strategoi you put in charge of the garrison of Korinthos, Krateros is on the brink of being put under heavy pressure by the incoming army of Pyrrhos. In the rest of Hellas, both the Aetolian and Chremonidean Leagues assert their independence at your expense with Ptolemaic money and naval support. However perilous this may seem, a few, well executed maneuvers could turn the situation on its head.

You first order of business is to liberate Pella and Aigai from the Galatai mercenaries who garrison Pella. Simultaneously, you could order Krateros and you son Alkyleous to merge their forces to better withstand a siege by Pyrrhos. With that done, your next step should be to expel Pyrrhos from the Peloponnesos and bring Sparta and Athenai to heel by capturing their cities. Be sure to leave adequate forces in Pella to dissuade and repel Dardanian, Moesian and Illiryian raiders. Inevitably, your successes will cause great concern among the Ptolomaioi and encourage them to send mercenaries to trouble you in Makedonia.

To put a stop to the barbaroi raids and the Ptolemaic mercinary incursions , you must capture Dardania, Thrakia, Moesia and Chersonesos Thraikike kai Bosporos Thraikios. But you will not have very long to celebrate your successes, world has reached us of a distant Antipatrid claimant, who, with the blessing of the Ptolomaioi, is raising an army and is awaiting a chance to wrestle the diadem from you.

From there, your priority is to stabilize your new gains in Hellas and beyond and watch events unfold both east and west of your borders. Wait for chance to go into Asia once more, like Alexandros once did.



Governments:

The turmoil that has engulfed Hellas has certainly done its damage on the administration that Makedonia can implement. However, if you can reassert control over the holdings of your late grandfather and more, perhaps a much more suitable model of administration may be rediscovered beneath the rubble that is Megas Alexandros' empire.

Currently, this is what we can prepare as far as administration is concerned....

Strategia:

The only viable government for Hellenistic territories with both Hellenistic polis and military colonies, it will suffice early on but it will show its age as the settlement grows in size and complexity.

Larrchia:

A solid choice for Non-Hellenistic territories with good PO benefits and native recruitment at the cost of advanced infrastructure.

Eleuthera kai Autonomia:

The best option you have currently for Hellenic territories with polis but no military colony, it provides access to a good variety of infrastructure and the ability to build up to the 2nd level of Hellenistic military colony.


In the event that you are able to restore Antigonidai rule to Asia, especially the old power centers of Phrygia (Ipsos) and Syria (Antigoneia/Antiochiea), these options will be open to us:

Epistateia epi Laous:

This government is a step up from Larrchia which sacrifices Public order for slightly improved native recruitment and infrastructure (Most prominently, the highest tier local military colony) but can upgrade to higher tier administrations which will be explained below.

Epistateia epi Hellenas:

You will be familiar with this more closely supervised version of the Hellenic administration. This government will provide excellent civic and military options. The highest tier Hellenistic military colony can be built here. However, due to the more oppressive nature of your social and military elite compared to those of the Seleucids, this government can only be established in Hellas, Thrakia and Hellenized parts of western Anatolia and the Pontic shore. You can build the Basilike Patris form this government provided that both the second level polis and Hellenistic military colony are present.

Satrapeia (New):

This divergent option for a high tier government available in satrapy provinces in the old Achaemenid empire given that you have a local or Hellenistic military colony, its benefits are mostly the same as those granted to Epistateia epi Hellenas.You can build the Basilike Patris form this government provided that both the second level polis and Hellenistic military colony are present.

Basilike Patris:

This is the highest level government that Makedonia can build, providing access to the the very best military and civic infrastructure that your kingdom can bring to that table along with healthy bonuses to happiness and law. It is advised that you do not rush to build this government as it will be built for you when the following events happen:

• The Makedonians acknowledge you as the rightful Basileos (BP automatically built in Pella)
• You gain the title of Kurios tes Asia when Babylonia is captured (BP automatically built in Babylon)

However, the BP can be built in Antiogneia as this was the seat of power of your grandfather Antigonos Monophalamos before he perished at Ipsos and your father Demetrios Polioketes was forded to flee to Hellas elude capture.


Diplomacy:

​Diadochi and Hellenes:

Epeiros:

​That accursed Pyrrhos is at it again! He is as much of a plague to you as he was to your father and the pretender Ptolemios Keraunos, so much so that the late Keraunos had to grudgingly provide Phalangites to him, just to encourage him to wander off to his Italian and Sicilian adventures and bother him no more. Even now, he took advantage of your sorry state after the Keltoi invasions to wrestle control of sacred Pella from you. Furthermore, his inability to control his Galatai troops has lead to the desecration of the Argeadai tombs which has sparked universal outrage among all Makedones. Meanwhile, your holdings in the Peloponnesos are in grave danger from the threat that is Pyrrhos himself as he moves on Sparta, as such, the Peloponnesos must be held at all costs to tie him down until you have reasserted control over Makedonia. Perhaps it may be long past time that Epeiros itself come under your dominion.

Konion Hellenon:

The free polities of Southern Hellas and their allies have never fully accepted Makedonian suzerainty, Alexandros tried and was successful as long has he still drew breath but the League of Korinthos has all but fallen apart in the last 50 years. These very same polities have united under the Chremonidean League and oppose your presence in Hellas with financial and military aid from the Ptolomaioi. Your authority must once again be felt in their lands. The time for leniency has long past, the conspirators who formed the league must all be put to the sword and the Hellenes to be once again united with common purpose!

Arche Seleukia:

Ah, the realm of the strongest Diadochi kingdom. You are currently allied to Antiochos Soter due to your shared enmity of the interference of the Ptolomaioi in your respective spheres of influence. But remember! it was Antiochos's father along with Lysimachos who ended the hopes of your father and grandfather to reunite the shattered empire on the bloody fields of Ipsos. That stain on your family's honor has not been forgotten nor forgiven! If Hellas is united under your banner once more and all internal challenges to your rule quashed, perhaps retracing Alexandros' steps may be just what you need to immortalize the good name of your family. That first step will most certainly be at the expense of Seleukid interests.

Ptolomaioi:

The Ptolomaioi have once again proven their cravenness by sending ships and sell swords to aid another in their struggle against you rather than marching a proper army against you! Their 'Pharaoh' is no leader of men, he would rather read and recite poetry than lead his men against you himself! Cravenness aside, their interference has galvanized the Chremonidean League and has caused you no small amount of grief. Dissolving that league and rebuilding your navy will cut off the avenues that the Ptolomaioi use to interfere in your affairs. This will be crucial; word is starting to filter in of a long lost Antipatrid pretender who is currently amassing a mercenary army to seize your throne with the blessing of the 'Pharaoh'. Do not let this happen!

Pergamon:

These last dregs of Lysimachos' powerbase cling on to relevance in the polis of Pergamon along with 9000 talents. However, the position that they hold is stronger than it first appears and they have done well diplomatically thus far by ingratiating themselves with the Seleukidai. They watch the chaos unfolding in Hellas with vested interest in the same manner as a spectator in a theatre play. Seleukidai control over Mikira Asia will not last forever and these rabble will seize their chance to try the diadem for size. Their gaze may turn to Hellas itself and they will stop anyone power in the current struggle from achieving dominion over all Hellas. Repel them and exact punishment if they dare!

Barbaroi:

Getai:

These barbaroi and their kinsmen to their north and south has done much to frustrate Lysimachos and have even caused a sizeable Hellenistic force under Zopyrion to disappear into thin air. Their tacit backing of Moesian raids into Makedonia cannot go unpunished. A concerted effort into their lands may serve to deter any further support to Thrakian raiders looking to do the same.


Closing remarks:

Khaire, Basileu! We hope this finds you well. Our situation may at first appear dire, but take heart! You will soon be the rightful ruler of the Makedonians once more. Perhaps you and your descendants will achieve what Alexander and the Diadochi who opposed your grandfather failed to achieve, The implementation of lasting, uncontested and divine rule over all Persis just like the Persioi Shahinshahs of old! May Zeus Olympius guide your every move!

Any new event that come along? I know that if you haven't secured Makedonia border you will get raided from Ptoleamy backing but the pretender invasion only occur if you stop Ptoleamy raid.

Right now i probably just going to rush for Syria after rebuilding Makedonia instead of securing Thrace and Epirus

[realm56]

Any new event that come along? I know that if you haven't secured Makedonia border you will get raided from Ptoleamy backing but the pretender invasion only occur if you stop Ptoleamy raid.

Right now i probably just going to rush for Syria after rebuilding Makedonia instead of securing Thrace and Epirus

Not really, the only thing Makedonia got in 2.35A was an additional barrier to getting good high tier governments. Its really not a good idea to rush for Ipsos and Antigoneia until you secure your borders and that includes Thrace and Epirus. I tried this and I was overstretched to breaking point to the extent that I had to restart my campaign. That mid-game difficulty of moderate to hard is there for a reason. You do not get access to a lot of your good civil infrastructure before going imp and you are coming up against well entrenched opposition to get there.

[eyelurker]

Not really, the only thing Makedonia got in 2.35A was an additional barrier to getting good high tier governments. Its really not a good idea to rush for Ipsos and Antigoneia until you secure your borders and that includes Thrace and Epirus. I tried this and I was overstretched to breaking point to the extent that I had to restart my campaign. That mid-game difficulty of moderate to hard is there for a reason. You do not get access to a lot of your good civil infrastructure before going imp and you are coming up against well entrenched opposition to get there.

Epirus are easy to conquer and hold but thracia are a bit too far for me to really bother as well as getai tend to be passive if i don't border moesia and i only do it as Makedonia because the script raid told me to.

Beside Pergamon if left alone will always conquer byzantion and being a nuinsance whenever i play hellenic or getai faction and asia minor being the wealthiest area and central for both colony point and phalanx recruitment certainly help.

[realm56]

Taksashila (2.35A R3)

Difficulty:

Difficulty played: Hard/Moderate

Early (Turns 0-100): Hard
Mid (Turns 101-200): Easy-Moderate
Late (Turns 200+): Hard


Campaign:

Susima, firstborn son of Bindusara, Uparajya of Taksashila, beloved of the gods. You hold in your palm the very city that Chandragupta and Kautilya took the first steps to forge the very empire that you now reside in, an empire teeming with all manners of learning, culture, and commerce with the verses of the Rigveda chanted far and wide. Unfortunately, our beloved city faces an uncertain future. No sooner has the soul of your father, Bindusāra the foe slayer, departed from his body, your siblings took to squabbling for the scraps of the once-mighty Mauryan empire. In the turmoil that followed, you along with our people were forced to bend the knee to the authority of your younger, more aggressive, and energetic brother Ashoka who now rules as Carkravartin. Although we may currently pay the Carkravartin his dues, the people of Taksashila have acquired a taste for self-determination and would gladly follow any who may help them in this endeavor, perhaps you would be the one fated to do so. But for now, more humble pursuits may placate him. He will tolerate a certain degree of expansionism to your east and south to better secure the approaches to the Hindu Kush and Arachosia against incursions from hostile Shakas, Pahlavas, Yavanas, and other warlords looking to plunder the riches of our lands. He may even offer help if these threats penetrate the Gandharan interior. But do not treat his tolerance for weakness, push too far too soon and he will retaliate with the fury of Lord Shiva himself! Wisdom and patience have always been a strength of yours and a strength of our people, and it would be ideally exercised revealing little of our intentions to him until we are fully prepared to make good on our pledges of independence. The road to freedom will be difficult and bloody but the emperor will be made to see reason soon enough and leave well enough alone.

With independence achieved and our gains consolidated, we can now look to events transpiring beyond the Hindu Kush. The Yavanas who control Baktria and those who fight under the banner of king Antiyoka and his sons covert control over the wealth our land provides, catching wind of our struggles with the Carkravartin and perceiving it as weakness. Make sure our strength is thoroughly demonstrated to them. Perhaps the Yavanas can be convinced to go into an alliance with us given the troubling signs surrounding the Shakas and Pahlavas who display every intent of raiding their lands and ours as well given the chance. These Shakas and Pahlavas fight in a way that makes a mockery of the Vedic heroes of old, having little regard for the chariot and ride atop horses with bow in hand and refusing to engage in close combat until their prey has been weakened and exhausted. Amidst the chaos, perhaps we can learn their ways of war and adopt some of what we learn into our military.


Governments:


Direct Mauryan Government:

This is the government of choice for the regions of Gandhara, Trinakarta, Saptasindavah, Sauvira, and Saurashtra at the start of the campaign prior to independence. It provides access to essential infrastructure, but independence will need to be achieved to advance to the Urban government or Semi-Autonomous Viceroy for better access to improved military and civil infrastructure. This government can be built outside of India post-independence as a prerequisite to the Semi-Autonomous Viceroy.

Tribal Government:

This government sacrifices civil infrastructure access and direct control to grant concessions to the tribal groups that lie within its jurisdiction until such a time the region is more thoroughly prepared for direct governance.

Mauryan Urban Government:

This is the government of choice for the regions of Gandhara, Trinakarta, Rakhvad, Saptasindavah, Sauvira, and Saurashtra. It provides full access to the military elites of the new Taksashilan kingdom and unlimited civic infrastructure options. This government is only available when tribal influences have drastically decreased and the order that it brings only improves as tribal cultures further drop in prominence until it is all, but a fleeting memory practiced only by a few scattered practitioners.

Semi-Autonomous Viceroy:

This is the government of choice for the regions outside of the Indian interior and builds on the direct Mauryan administration already installed in these regions. It provides a wide variety of civil and military infrastructure capable of supporting local levies and semi-professionals as well as providing the necessary resources to field a small retinue of soldiers of the Kshatriya caste.


Diplomacy:

​Diadochi and Hellenes:

Arche Seleukeia:

King Antiyoka rules a vast domain and is the son of the king who was defeated by Chandragupta. Although peace between his kingdom and our fair city has held up until now, Bindusāra’s death has created a power vacuum that he may be keen to exploit. Unfortunately for him, he is preoccupied with war with king Tulamay and his kingdom. Antiyoka’s satraps and vassals from east to west have no great love of him and will cede from his realm if he struggles to end the war with Tulamay in a favorable position, Whatever may transpire, he and his sons and generals are never to be trusted completely.

Baktria:

The Yavanas who rule Baktria do so as local power brokers on behalf of the kingdom of king Antiyoka. Their lands may be rich, but they face the prospect of constant attack by the Shakas and Pahlavas. Should they contain these nomadic groups and triumph in ceding from their masters, their gaze will undoubtedly fall upon our fair city and land. On the flip side, should they struggle to contain these threats, a window of opportunity will be open for us to make common cause with them. This alliance is in our interests because should the Shakas and Pahlavas penetrate the Hindu Kush, we will be hard-pressed to contain them, should the worst occur, our lands will be sacked, and our people will be enslaved never to return home.

Nomads:

Pahlava:

There is much we do not yet know of these Pahlavas. Word has it that they rise on top mighty steeds with bow in hand. The finest among them ride fully covered in scale and other manners of advanced armor and crash into their foes, sending them flying and impaling them on top mighty two-handed poles. They may be content to raid the realms of Baktria and king Antiyoka but should their power grow, we will not be far from their attention.

Saka Rauka:

Similarly, to the Pahlavas, the Shakas ride with bow and poles in hand, raiding the lands of Baktria and king Antiyoka. But our lands appear to be the destination of their great journey from lands beyond our comprehension. From the mouth of traders from the distant lands of silk, other groups have displaced them and are on the move with more to follow in their wake. Should our great city fall under their domain, all will certainly be lost!


Closing remarks:

Great Taksashilarajya, your task is laid before you. You have by your side warriors, generals, scribes and Brahmins. Each must be consulted in equal measure to ensure the continued survival and prosperity of our great city. Succeed and our legacy will be written in the Vedic texts and recited for all posterity!

[realm56]

Getai (2.35A R3.5)

Difficulty:

Difficulty played: Hard/Moderate

Early (Turns 0-100): Very Hard
Mid (Turns 101-200): Hard
Late (Turns 200+): Moderate-Hard


Campaign:

Razas, although the past few decades prior to your ascension has been difficult, with the invasions of marauding Celts to the west, Scythian raids to the north and the attempts by the Diadochi warlord Lysimachus to subdue us from the south, we have survived. However, owing to your youth, your authority remains tenuous and must be reinforced by both the Taraboste and Kapnobate classes which must be demonstarted with both battlefiled successes and proven demonstartions of great piety. but fear not, you possess prodigious talent few your age possess.

The Getai are survivors but their situation remains precarious. Firstly, to the south, the Thracians continue to stir trouble with all around them which was the cause of Lysimachus' intervention in the first place, as such, they must be taught a lesson. However, trend carefully lest the Diadochi see us as a threat once more, no different than the hated Galatai that pillaged their sacred 'oracle' in Delphi.Additionally, Inner Dacia has not been fully subdued and should be an early target for expansion, with access to the lands of the Scordiski and Boii made all the easier with the capture of the stronghold of Sarmizegetusa, much unfinished busniess still remains with these eastern Celts for their role in the devestation of our lands in years past. Moreover, you have compacts to honor with the first being the prompt installment of the soon to be Tyragetian Warlord, Moskon in the lands of the Bastarnae. The second compact that you must honor are with the Hellenic colonies in Mikra Skytha kai Pentapolis, the Scythians also trouble them and have agreeed to pay tribute to the Getai in exchange for protection from the former's lightning raids, unfortuately, this arrangement must eventually come to an end as these Hellenes will still see us as 'Barabroi' and will call upon the other Hellenistic powers to do away with us when we have served our 'purpose'. With all of the above done, there may yet be a Getic Kingdom in the making!



Governments:

Similar to other Barbarian Factions (Particularly the Celts!), the Getai's government system is fairly linear with Dentu (Allied Tribe) being promiment in that it has a relatively wide distribution (Dacia along with Celtic, Baltc and Germainc lands), gives good local recruitment and possess both the happiness bonus (15%) and free upkeep slots (3) to ensure that order is maintained at little expense. Additionally, Razas Kalas (Districts of Petty Rulers) (Your 'core' governement and the next step up from Allied Tribe) provides imporved infrastructure and recruitment in Dacia, Landa Skordoski and Thrakia. However, the top tier government, Getic Kingdom (Avaliable in Getia and Daouia) is only avaliable at city level after the kingdom has been established. Additionally, cultural conversion is unlocked for all governments barring Kalas (Border District) at 15% for Gavas (Country), 30% for Dentu ad 50% for Razas Kalas.



Diplomacy:


​Diadochi and Hellenes:

Makedonia:

The empire and Basileus that Lysimakhos once called master is long gone, with the death of Alexander III, his generals fight over the scraps of his empire and Lysimachus ended up with the ignominious responsibility of keeping the unruly Thracians under control. As part of his duties and due to his personal ambitions, he had sent expeditions north against our people only to end in stalemate at times and abject disaster in others with our greatest triumph being the complete annihilation of Zopyrion's army on the banks of the Danube. As such, the new Antigonid Basileus, Antigonos Gonatas has not forgotten the trouble that we had caused to the previous Strategos of Thrace and will turn his attention onto us once he has Hellas under his control and made sure that the Dardanoi and Illyrioi have been scattered into the wind.


Pergamon:

Although Lysimakhos met his end at Corupedium at the hands of Seleukios Nikator, his remaining supporters have managed by fortune or by compromise with the Seleukidai to amass military, political and economic power and have holed themselves up in the West Anatolian polis of Pergamon in Mysia where they ponder their next move. While they may be preoccupied by their new masters and the threat of the Galatai, their attention will undoubtedly be turned to regaining their master's holdings which will certainly be to our detriment. we must be ready to repel these former strooges of Lysimakhos when the time comes.


Kimmerios Bosphoros:

The Leukonidai dynasts may be of Odrysian origin but they show little fiety to their cousins back in their ancestrial lands! They have provided sancturary to those Histrians who got on the wrong side of not just Lysimakhos but also those in their Boules who also opposed their cities' compact with us! As of now, these exiles petition the Arkhon kai Basileos, Parisades to come and help them 'liberate' their homes from the Getai 'yoke'. It was also their weakness and inaction against the Sauromatae that have caused the Skulata to flee south towards our lands and for that, any intervention that they send must be pushed back with the fury of Zalmoxis! However, in peace, their grain will still be invaluable in keeping our people fed provided the right incentives....


Barbarians:

Boii:

These Boii along with the Skordiskoi and many other Keltoi tribes had arisen from the west and have caused untold devestation in their quest for booty and new lands to call their own. Their attacks were sufficently devestating that we barely survived with our heads still attached to our necks. Dealing with them should be a key long term objective lest another tide rises from that direction. Let's see how they like it when Noreia and Streuinta have been looted and burnt to the ground with all either killed or enslaved!

Sweboz:

Compared with the Boii, we know far less about these pastoralists. However, word has it that although they may not take to the saddle as much as we do, their warriors are still fierce and their mercenaries well regarded. Nontheless, they may prove a useful ally in our struggles against the Boii owing to the mutural loathing that exists between the two peoples due to constant raiding by both sides. However, that may change once we have exacted our revenge against the Boii.

Lugiones:

According to our merchants, the Amber that flows towards the Black Sea originates from lands held by the Lugians. Combined with the strength of their infantry, they may either be a deadly adversery or a invaluable ally. Two stumbling blocks exist for any potential relations with them, the first being their alliance with the Boii that we must find a way to destroy before we make significant diplomatic overtures, the second lies with their support of the Bastarnae who are enemies of Moskon, a warlord that we have agreed to and sworn oaths to help. Both must be resloved if relations are to last.

Sauromatae:

This new nomadic alliance from the far east have been seen as the main culprit for the dislocation of the Skulata into our lands and thus should be treated with suspicion. However, their conflict with the Skulata can be exploited in the form of an alliance, where together, the Skulata can be dismantled as a political force and be bound to both sides as subjects, a prospect most attractive to us. However, get on the wrong side of them and it will be the Skulata again and worse!


Closing remarks:

Razas, although fate has very much has transpired against us, we still draw breath and we shall do so again at the head of a mighty Kingdom, ready to thwart the designs of all outsiders who dare to try their luck against our falxes! May Zalmoxis give us the strength to presevere for times yet to pass and tales yet to be told!

[Sarkiss]

Getai (2.35A R3.5)

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Difficulty:

Difficulty played: Hard/Moderate

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Early (Turns 0-100): Very Hard
Mid (Turns 101-200): Hard
Late (Turns 200+): Moderate-Hard


Campaign:

Razas, although the past few decades prior to your ascension has been difficult, with the invasions of marauding Celts to the west, Scythian raids to the north and the attempts by the Diadochi warlord Lysimachus to subdue us from the south, we have survived. However, owing to your youth, your authority remains tenuous and must be reinforced by both the Taraboste and Kapnobate classes which must be demonstarted with both battlefiled successes and proven demonstartions of great piety. but fear not, you possess prodigious talent few your age possess.

The Getai are survivors but their situation remains precarious. Firstly, to the south, the Thracians continue to stir trouble with all around them which was the caused Lysimachus' intervention in the first place, as such, they must be taught a lesson. However, trend carefully lest the Diadochi see us as a threat once more, no different than the hated Galatai that pillaged their sacred 'oracle' in Delphi.Additionally, Inner Dacia has not been fully subdued and should be an early target for expansion, with access to the lands of the Scordiski and Boii made all the easier with the capture of the stronghold of Sarmizegetusa, much unfinished busniess still remains with these eastern Celts for their role in the devestation of our lands in years past. Moreover, you have compacts to honor with the first being the prompt installment of the soon to be Tyragetian Warlord, Moskon in the lands of the Bastarnae. The second compact that you must honor are with the Hellenic colonies in Mikra Skytha kai Pentapolis, the Scythians also trouble them and have agreeed to pay tribute to the Getai in exchange for protection from the former's lightning raids, unfortuately, this arrangement must eventually come to an end as these Hellenes will still see us as 'Barabroi' and will call upon the other Hellenistic powers to do away with us when we have served our 'purpose'. With all of the above done, there may yet be a Getic Kingdom in the making!



Governments:

Similar to other Barbarian Factions (Particularly the Celts!), the Getai's government system is fairly linear with Dentu (Allied Tribe) being promiment in that it has a relatively wide distribution (Dacia along with Celtic, Baltc and Germainc lands), gives good local recruitment and possess both the happiness bonus (15%) and free upkeep slots (3) to ensure that order is maintained at little expense. Additionally, Razas Kalas (Districts of Petty Rulers) (Your 'core' governement and the next step up from Allied Tribe) provides imporved infrastructure and recruitment in Dacia, Landa Skordoski and Thrakia. However, the top tier government, Getic Kingdom (Avaliable in Getia and Daouia) is only avaliable at city level after the kingdom has been established. Additionally, cultural conversion is unlocked for all governments barring Kalas (Border District) at 15% for Gavas (Country), 30% for Dentu ad 50% for Razas Kalas.



Diplomacy:


​Diadochi and Hellenes:

Makedonia:

The empire and Basileus that Lysimakhos once called master is long gone, with the death of Alexander III, his generals fight over the scraps of his empire and Lysimachus ended up with the ignominious responsibility of keeping the unruly Thracians under control. As part of his duties and due to his personal ambitions, he had sent expeditions north against our people only to end in stalemate at times and abject disaster in others with our greatest triumph being the complete annihilation of Zopyrion's army on the banks of the Danube. As such, the new Antigonid Basileus, Antigonos Gonatas has not forgotten the trouble that we had caused to the previous Strategos of Thrace and will turn his attention onto us once he has Hellas under his control and made sure that the Dardanoi and Illyrioi have been scattered into the wind.


Pergamon:

Although Lysimakhos met his end at Corupedium at the hands of Seleukios Nikator, his remaining supporters have managed by fortune or by compromise with the Seleukidai to amass military, political and economic power and have holed themselves up in the West Anatolian polis of Pergamon in Mysia where they ponder their next move. While they may be preoccupied by their new masters and the threat of the Galatai, their attention will undoubtedly be turned to regaining their master's holdings which will certainly be to our detriment. we must be ready to repel these former strooges of Lysimakhos when the time comes.


Kimmerios Bosphoros:

The Leukonidai dynasts may be of Odrysian origin but they show little fiety to their cousins back in their ancestrial lands! They have provided sancturary to those Histrians who got on the wrong side of not just Lysimakhos but also those in their Boules who also opposed their cities' compact with us! As of now, these exiles petition the Arkhon kai Basileos, Parisades to come and help them 'liberate' their homes from the Getai 'yoke'. It was also their weakness and inaction against the Sauromatae that have caused the Skulata to flee south towards our lands and for that, any intervention that they send must be pushed back with the fury of Zalmoxis! However, in peace, their grain will still be invaluable in keeping our people fed provided the right incentives....


Barbarians:

Boii:

These Boii along with the Skordiskoi and many other Keltoi tribes had arisen from the west and have caused untold devestation in their quest for booty and new lands to call their own. Their attacks were sufficently devestating that we barely survived with our heads still attached to our necks. Dealing with them should be a key long term objective lest another tide rises from that direction. Let's see how they like it when Noreia and Streuinta have been looted and burnt to the ground with all either killed or enslaved!

Sweboz:

Compared with the Boii, we know far less about these pastoralists. However, word has it that although they may not take to the saddle as much as we do, their warriors are still fierce and their mercenaries well regarded. Nontheless, they may prove a useful ally in our struggles against the Boii owing to the mutural loathing that exists between the two peoples due to constant raiding by both sides. However, that may change once we have exacted our revenge against the Boii.

Lugiones:

According to our merchants, the Amber that flows towards the Black Sea originates from lands held by the Lugians. Combined with the strength of their infantry, they may either be a deadly adversery or a invaluable ally. Two stumbling blocks exist for any potential relations with them, the first being their alliance with the Boii that we must find a way to destroy before we make significant diplomatic overtures, the second lies with their support of the Bastarnae who are enemies of Mokson, a warlord that we have agreed to and sworn oaths to help. Both must be resloved if relations are to last.

Sauromatae:

This new nomadic alliance from the far east have been seen as the main culprit for the dislocation of the Skulata into our lands and thus should be treated with suspicion. However, their conflict with the Skulata can be exploited in the form of an alliance, where together, the Skulata can be dismantled as a political force and be bound to both sides as subjects, a prospect most attractive to us. However, get on the wrong side of them and it will be the Skulata again and worse!


Closing remarks:

Razas, although fate has very much has transpired against us, we still draw breath and we shall do so again at the head of a mighty Kingdom, ready to thwart the designs of all outsiders who dare to try their luck against our falxes! May Zalmoxis give us the strength to presevere for times yet to pass and tales yet to be told!

thanks for this. was the game stable for you throughout? i found the first several turns riddled with post battle CTDs. couldn't proceed.

[realm56]

thanks for this. was the game stable for you throughout? i found the first several turns riddled with post battle CTDs. couldn't proceed.

The game was most stable for me with no battle related CTDs or anything else of the sort.

[Sarkiss]

The game was most stable for me with no battle related CTDs or anything else of the sort.

thanks, good to hear. will try and give it another go at some point, its got a very interesting missions based story line iirc.

[Spartocos Leukonovich]

Boii 2.35A R3.5

Difficulty:
Early (Moderate or Hard, if you encounter Roma too early, and Sweboz want your blood)
Mid (Very Hard, you are in between Pritanoi, Aedui, Aruernoi, Sweboz, Roma and Getae, Lougiones only if their AI goes rogue)
Late (Hard, especially for any Barbaroi factions)

Relatively short guide from my side. Please, note that current GoT AI could make your experience different, my opinion on this specific AI is rather bad, it is too crazy to enjoy the game with it. Previous AI was indeed somewhat passive, however logical, once it started a war with you, it did not want to end it no matter what, commiting forces to annihilate you from existence, but thats was exactly the thrill of it. Now you can milk AI for BIG money in countless ceasefires, making the game even easier for human player than before.

Now too Boii !

Your government tree very Barbarian, meaning straightforward, but one bonus that you have is Boii colony building, which comes from Migration government. Colony gives you very generous recruitment, almost worldwide and convert to Western Tribal States, at very good rate as well. Please, look for colonization map for Boii, which was generously provided by realm 56 in one of the threads, to help yourself find provinces habitable for great Boii. Especially, you will need this knowledge if you want to colonize Steppe, or plunder your way into Persia itself=). Closest place of interest for you is Italia, only Ariminum and Luceria can be colonized, and give you Italic recruitment options, while Arretium, Roma and in the rest of Italia you could install only protectorates, however in current version, I built migration in Arretium (oversight probably), the government however useless without colony building.

Usually i do not give people instructions on how to do things, but if you looking for lazy and comfy experience with Boii, you would want to start conquering in that order: Noreia to Nesakton to Asanka in first 10-15 turns, you better do it simultaneously, and as fast as possible, because 9 times out of 10, GoT AI will send at you Sweboz faction which will siege Alkimoennos, your second city (hope i memorized the name properly), around turns 15-20, fullstack of that Germanoi mind you! that initial one with a lot of Halithoz ! so you better park whatever leftovers you have in that city. Your General bodyguard will destroy anything if used properly, dont worry you have 15 turns to learn how to play gallic faction=). Why not Gorsissa, Segestika or Patavum ? Because usually once you touch borders with other factions, they will most certainly declare war on you sooner or later, and in early Boii game i would advise against it. The idea is having buffer zones between you and other factions for now.

Once fatwa is given, you turtled for 20 turns, somewhat build your economy and you are capable to replenish and recruit, you better start pushing into Sweboz territory, your allies Lougiones will help a lot engaging with some small Sweboz stacks, be carefull though when you conquer their capital, the migration script will kick in and they will reappear with full 2 stacks ! While i never saw them attacking my territories when they migrate (even when they hostile to you), such possibility still exists, so be prepared to chase them. Alternatively if they conquered camp in Skandinauja, just leave them here and wait for peace, or deflect their pathetic attempts to attack you, now you can forget about them, you have other problems to deal with.

Now, you have time untill turn 150 to deal with Rome, maybe not destroy, but seriously cripple them into minor power by conquering Cisalpine Gaul, Arretium, Ariminum and Luceria. Its gonna be hard and long fight, but with a skill of using Boii superior cavalry you can do anything=) Why before turn 150 you ask ? Beacuse by this time Aruernoi, Aedui, Pritanoi will encroach on northern Gaul, and if you conquered Tarodunnon you will see it yourself. Once they conquer buffers between you, dont worry the will come for you. And do not forget Getai they can appear in your life even sooner, not in full strength, because they fight Hellenes, but your economy will feel it. After you crippled Rome, you can take whatever buffer that was not taken in Illyria and Delmatia, and than enjoy ascending in the late game of chaos=)

You may like Boii, due to next reasons: 1) you like to convert camps into cities; 2) You like to collect Pokemons (due to Boii colony building you have probably, as numerous regional recruitment potential, as Roma and Grey Death, and believe me you are gonna enjoy reading these numerous unit cards in your campaign); 3) You like RPG elements (you are gonna care a lot for your FM coming of age, for them not to become weak Kingetos or failed Altron); 4) you like to raid, sack cities and continously battle to become legendary Epas.

Hope my insight will be of any value for community.

[Jurand of Cracow]

Now you can milk AI for BIG money in countless ceasefires, making the game even easier for human player than before.

Indeed. Combined with teleportation, it's a bit disappointing.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

[Spartocos Leukonovich]

Indeed. Combined with teleportation, it's a bit disappointing.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

My good man, you are too modest with amount you ask from them, i noticed almost all factions can easily give you 7000 minai for ceasefire, as per teleportation, for me its 50/50, although it makes nomadic factions way too dangerous, as KB player its always hard to deal with Sauromatae, now they can teleport full stacks even from their frontier settlements. The most strange thing i noticed, is in Areuakoi campaign, for some reason a rebel stack from Liguria (the one with two generals and full of lancetai), always moves to Ilitirta, and roams it, or attacks the city, which makes Areuakoi even more annoying to play since Iberia already has too generous rebel spawn.

[realm56]

Hmmm.... Noted that, when I was playing as the Getai to get material for the writeup I did on them, I could just capture an ill-defended Pella or Ambrakia from macedon and epeirus respectively and give it back to them in exhange for a lot of money and/or frontier territories more importnat for me than it is for them . This is especally useful if you manage to gain the upeerhand in an early war.

[eyelurker]

Most of faction that i encountered usually have like meagre to poor economy so i was wondering how you could exploit money out of ai from diplomacy.

[Spartocos Leukonovich]

Most of faction that i encountered usually have like meagre to poor economy so i was wondering how you could exploit money out of ai from diplomacy.

If the faction you are in war with, have only one enemy (you) then you can bully them into paying you a lot, after wiping 2-3 their stacks, the may not be able to pay in full sometimes, but they will be able to pay said sum over couple of turns, it always depends on what terms you offer them, i however advise not giving them any chance to pay over couple of turns time, because the GoT AI is buggy, and they can and will attack you next turn without paying you their obligations (bastards!). Overall, all Greek factions, Qarthadast, Roma, Hayastan, Pontus, and for some funny reason Sweboz !!!, can pay you in full, you just need to pick right moment when to milk for peace.

[mramazingfuntime]

Throwing in my opinion here. I've been captivated and inspired by this fabulous mod and have played the Koinon Hellenon many times, so I will describe that faction's difficulty as of the latest release.

The Chremonidean alliance is just as shaky as it might sound when compared against its immediate rivals: the unstoppable steamroller that is Pyrrhus and the looming Antigonids. The player will need to win two or three absolutely vital battles in the immediate opening turns and instantly negotiate peace with the Epirotes and the Macedonians. The player's budget is unsustainable until trade deals can be negotiated with any and all neighbours whilst all superfluous military units are disbanded.

This poses a very great challenge. New and unexperienced players can reasonably expect to be beaten by Pyrrhus, crushed by steady Macedonia, or otherwise go bankrupt in the effort. It requires great skill and decisive victory in the first instant to deliver the alliance to some form of temporary safety.

If the player then manages to roundly subjugate Epirus and Macedonia, they will probably encounter a period wherein they are able to establish an army of excellent Hellenic troops: chosen hoplites and experienced psiloi with some number of good home-grown Thessalian cavalry should be present. This should provide adequate capacity to control Hellas and the coast of Anatolia. The player would then reasonably be capable of conquering all of Anatolia. If they do so capably, and arrange peace with the Seleucids and the Ptolemies, there is no reason they should not be able to look west to arrest the development of Carthage and Rome if necessary. Successful players will probably then win the campaign if they then conquer the Bosporus.

On the other hand, the player may dawdle, and the essential inadequacy of the Hellenes' troops will become evident by the late game. Capable hoplites are nevertheless old-fashioned, the levy "deuteroi" phalanxes poor quality, and later thureos-wielding infantry leaves something to be desired. Greek cavalry (as ever) remains "nothing to shout about". If left without comprehensive strategic advantage of numbers (or if not fighting against pathetic armies of levies) late game Hellene armies will struggle to beat high quality cavalry, elite phalanxes, and good Roman infantry.

In my experience, the Koinon Hellenon is challenging to start and will interest those with a keen interest in earning swift and decisive victory against superior foes through cunning and resourcefulness. The mid-game is easiest, but their hidebound traditionalism and geography contributes to a more challenging end-game.

In my opinion the controversy events relating to the establishment of the Koinon Hellenon (revolts) should be made more severe in order to make the mid-game more challenging. It might also be worth thinking about perhaps making the faction's mid and late game income a little less enormous, given that it is extremely easy to lead this loose alliance to brilliant economic growth. It would be better to face against some more formidable Macedonian, Ptolemaic, Seleucid, and western Mediterranean attempts to suppress the upstart alliance, but I realise the campaign is at the mercy of how competent the AI feels.

Great work mod team. Keep it up!

[Calypze]

Any good strategies/guides for Sweboz with the current version?

[randy_cat]

Played a challenging campaign as baktria, even tho a more difficult campaign with modified game parameters. I was forced to flee baktria, because i made enemies with both saka and seleucids, i couldn't resist so i took all i could and fled to south arabia after conquering the takshashila cities, then i took the south arabians holdings without much difficulty since my heavy cavalry could easily trump the lightly armed troops. In the meantime the seleucids and saka took my capital and the rest of the cities.

I then proceeded to attack the ptolemaioi from the south and it was kinda hard, they were already at war with seleukia but they still could oppose me with plenty of troops. It was anyway pretty tough to upkeep my armies since i didn't have a very high income, and for some time i thought the campaign was over for me, but then i manage to gain a few lucky victories over the ptolemaioi and took their rich cities. After that, the campaign took a different tune and it became much easier, with plenty of income but i had problems with troop recruitment since those regions cannot offer much in terms of troop selection ( the arabian cities can provide good archers and light axemen, but they are not really good against ellenistic armies, i had to resort to recruit whatever i could to replenish my forces ). I had a pretty tough time fighting the seleucids but then through sheer attrition and constant pressure i managed to push them back and take some of their rich cities. From there, the game became pretty easy, i could comfortably choose my next enemy, with plenty of troops and income to support my ambitions.

I took then greece by sending a couple of good quality armies via ships, and kept some garrison in my northern borders to prevent pontus, armenia and the remaining egyptians from declaring war on me. It was this that made the campaign a lot easier, instead of forming an alliance against me, they kept skirmishing and warring between each other so i could focus on my military expeditions.

At some point the gauls started flooding from the north to my italic cities in the south and couldn't resist for too long, so i had to flee. I still had a massive income and good armies to spend, so i focused on conquering the remaining parts of middle east, and of course baktria, if i was to fullfill the conditions to win the campaign. The saka proved to be a horrible thing since their armies were composed of agile and swift horsemen coupled with good archers and i had problems beating them. Not just that, some armies kept magically spawning from the north following the great migration of the saka people. Their cities too, were difficult to mantain because of rebellions. I never actually finished this campaign but i came very close to it. Historically inaccurate but gameplay wise it was challenging and rewarding, expecially the first part when i had to flee from my lands and seek refuge in other places, of course at the expense of the rightful owners.


I had plenty of time to evaluate the troops and their effectiveness on the field, so...

- Hellenistic troops are by far the best. Baktrian bodyguards, heavy cavalry, hoplites, hemithorakitai, thureophoroi, machairophoroi, phalangites... they are all good. And also cost effective.

- Arabian units are probably the worst in the game. They have good archers and light axemen and also cheap to mantain and recruit, but they pale when compared to a fully hellenistic army.

- Deuteroi phalangites saved me from destruction. In greece i could recruit a lot of them and they are cost effective troops. Maybe not the best there is but even an army of militia phalangites coupled with good cavalry can be fearsome.

- South italian troops are also pretty good: their heavy infatry armed with heavy javelins and swords is rather good in almost any situation and you can resist the the gauls invasions from the north with just them, and of course with the aid of some nice cavalry they can field even tho not the best.

- General's bodyguards are always good, regardless of the situation, i just have to avoid them being overrun by superior numbers. They can kill light cavalry pretty fast and they are also generally good against any kind of troops, when employed properly. Baktrian bodyguards are not expecially tough but still great and they have a high melee attack.

- Indian troops kinda underwhelming: their light infantry can be easily crushed by heavy cavalry and bodyguards, their macemen tho are good expecially against armoured foes, but they cannot be recruited in great numbers.

- Saka are overpowered? I had a lot of problems with them, and if you don't keep their towns happy they rebel with a lot of horse archers and light troops. They also receive a lot of reinforcements at some point from the north east of the campaign map, following the great saka migration event.

- Elite troops not expecially useful: it is better to have more medium quality troops than a few exceptional ones. For example, i recruited a lot of deuteroi phalangites, thureophoroi and machairophoroi instead of hoplitai, thorakitai etc... but when it comes to cavalry i don't really mind their cost, it is always good to have great cavalry because they can both defeat enemy cavalry and then attack the flanks and rear of the enemy, making them kinda invaluable when facing a serious opposition.


Overall, not really an historically accurate campaign, but gameplay wise very challenging and fun. Baktria was hard, probably the hardest campaign i played so far.