I have been quite critic against greek hoplite phalanx (being OP) but at this latest version they seems a bit weak. I am in early mid game with Athens and I am finding hard to deal even with 'barbarian' nations. The thracians (and Dacians) were cutting my Athenian Hoplites in pieces with their rhomphaias (Falxes, Drhepanai) and while I considered this logical I found out that even germanic medium spearmen, or heavy infantry units had the upper hand.
In the case of medium spearmen (who are 300 men in huge) they surround the hoplites and create a lot of casualties. When I did a Boii campaign before this one I found out that 300 men units (despite being low in stats) holding a real value - maybe this case (300 men units) must be rethinked. The germanic swordsmen also seemed superior in head to head combat against even
Logades (Elite Athenian Hoplites). Also missile damage even from the front (most barbarian units throw a pilum) gives a lot of casualties - I find it more logical when they shoot towards the unguarded side of the hoplites or to their rear to have such effect.
About the Athenian roster and AoR
1.
Cavalry General has same stats as
Athenai Hippeis (Medium Cavalry) and is inferior to
Athenai Epilektoi Hippeis. I don't know if this is intended but usually generals are top tier units.
2. Athens can recruit
Misthophoroi Phalangitai who are superior to AoR unit
Makedonikoi Phalangitai (recruitable in Makedonia). IMHO since the Macedons were the inventors of this unit even the AoR one should be the best available and not the opposite.
Misthophoroi Makedones Phalangitai at the current cost are redundant, maybe they could be offered as an elite pike unit? We have examples of elite AoR units (which is very accurate historically and adds to the gameplay) like for example the Sarmatian Cataphracts which is a superb shock cavalry unit.
3. Athenian Hoplites almost of the same quality as Spartan Hoplites. Not a Sparta fanboy but IMHO Spartans should be clearly of better quality. Better charge bonus (more ferocious than the Athenians), a little buff in their morale too, maybe better armor piercing (to represent the use of kopis).
4. Mercenary unit
Misthophoroi Agrianikoi Pelekephoroi are supposed to be the same unit as the Thracian AoR
Agrianoi Pelekophoroi? Besides the difference in the name they seem like being the same type of unit but one is 300 men while the other is 200. In
Honga though they are listed as having 300 men.
Last but not least what are your tactics with hoplites? In battles I am favored to win I will usually charge them on the enemy (to capitalize on their charge bonus) then trigger the phalanx formation to consolidate their formation. In less favorable battle I will go phalanx from the beginning and wait the enemy trying to avoid gaps in between them and supporting their flanks with lighter infantry (or peltasts).
Getting back to units what have you experienced with Cordinau Orca (Elite Scordisci Swordsmen) a unit I like since Europa Barbarorum in RTW1. Do they perform? because in my Athenian campaign I don't feel like them being Elites. The best unit for the money so far are Agrianoi Pelekophoroi who despite their low armor can hold the line efficiently and are superb flankers. And a unit I always recruit to the max is Thyni Rhomphaiaphoroi their charge is just epic.