Historical Gameplay Let's Plays

[Sarkiss]

Yes, I ment frontier settler towns, they do not generate colonists (The polis is the main producer of them (one produced every 16 turns for a trio of hellenistic polises (lvl 2 polis) or one hellenistic metropolis (lvl 3 polis))) but they provide both hellenistic professional recruitment and more importantly, they convert the province they reside in to Hellenistic Polities (Baktria's culture), with said conversion needed to reach the 69% needed to build metropolis in Baktria (Upgrading them increases the conversion cap to 30% - 50% - 70% (Reformed Colony for Baktria and that particular one will have to wait until at least turn 200 )).

As for Hellenistic Cataphracts, they are only avaliable after the Thorakirtai reforms (At least turn 200). Additionally, you need a Basilike Patris government to get them (Avaliable after making good on the proclamation of : Freedom or death! and having 'Basileos of all Asia' wave the white flag).

oh i see, its the culture conversion that you meant. i didnt bother with that, not yet. i think Baktria produces enough Hellenistic units and i just strife to expand that to other cities (for now).

thanks for the tip on the catas. will have to wait for the reform etc. hoped to be able to find the native ones in one of those steppe bordering settlements but cant see any.

[Sarkiss]

Baktria!

[Sarkiss]

going on the offensive in the latest episode of Baktrian campaign:

[Sarkiss]

we are getting there!

[Sarkiss]

the final episode of Baktrian adventures, "Forgiveness?"

[Sar1n]

So, is that the end of your Baktrian campaign? I played it recently and found the transition from allied to factional governments to be most challenging part of it as most of them had too low Hellenic culture. Arguably, I gained independence much later, only few turns before Thorakitai reforms, and started switching only after my governors started dying from old age, which gave the cities time to grow and thus become harder to handle, but still it should give you some challenge.

[Sarkiss]

So, is that the end of your Baktrian campaign? I played it recently and found the transition from allied to factional governments to be most challenging part of it as most of them had too low Hellenic culture. Arguably, I gained independence much later, only few turns before Thorakitai reforms, and started switching only after my governors started dying from old age, which gave the cities time to grow and thus become harder to handle, but still it should give you some challenge.

i think my independence event was timed pretty appropriately to circa 250, but i played off screen since uploading it and did the same thing as you with regards to client rulers leaving them and their govts in place until they die. the first one just died of old age and i started reforming the city and it yields 0 units under new govt type. that isnt a biggie though, as i expanded into India once they attacked me and now control a massive empire fielding 4 full stacks field armies ready to claim Arabia, Persia and Mesopotamia. was a bit disappointed that there is no elephants anywhere in India with native admin. the only settlement where elephants are available (Indian armoured type) is Baktria itself. i guess allied states in India would open up elephant recruitment?

[realm56]

Elephants are avaliable in the 2 indian satrapy provinces (Taxila and Patala) with Satrapeia and BP but the problem lies in the following:

• Armored elephants are not avaliable for Baktria in either governments in the regions mentioned.
• Baktria are unable to build BPs in either Indian settlements as the Polis 2 (Hellenistic Polis) needed cannot be built in India (Minor Polis is the best that can be built as there are geographical limitations in place (Check map of Hellenic Polises post in Gameplay and AAR trend))

The latter than leads to an Idea that I have been toying with for a bit, which is a government overhaul for the Baktrians that enables them to take full advantage of their surroundings, namely options to deal with the following:

• More versitile options in India (Perhaps with an Indo-Hellenic type government with some conversion to Hellenic Polities and improved local recruitment that can take advantage of the Indo-Greek Guilds (This can better reflect the existance and governance of the Indo-Greek kingdom)).
• Improved options for dealing with the nomadic invaders that plagued the Greco Bactrian Kingdom (Subject/Allied tribes but not as benefical as the KB versions to reflect Baktria's more hostile relations with said nomads).
• The ability to commender existing Seleucid and Archemenid style administrations although not to the same extent as the former.

Perhaps the growing buddhist influence can be reflected in a traitline or two...the first human depictions of buddha were allegedly produced in the Hellenic Style.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greco-Buddhism
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greco-Buddhist_art

All of this is mere conjecture at this moment as literature and findings are still relatively scant for both Greco-Bactrian and Indo-Greek kingdoms.

Anyways, @Sarkiss, great work on this playthrough!

[Sarkiss]

Elephants are avaliable in the 2 indian satrapy provinces (Taxila and Patala) with Satrapeia and BP but the problem lies in the following:

• Armored elephants are not avaliable for Baktria in either governments in the regions mentioned.
• Baktria are unable to build BPs in either Indian settlements as the Polis 2 (Hellenistic Polis) needed cannot be built in India (Minor Polis is the best that can be built as there are geographical limitations in place (Check map of Hellenic Polises post in Gameplay and AAR trend))

The latter than leads to an Idea that I have been toying with for a bit, which is a government overhaul for the Baktrians that enables them to take full advantage of their surroundings, namely options to deal with the following:

• More versitile options in India (Perhaps with an Indo-Hellenic type government with some conversion to Hellenic Polities and improved local recruitment that can take advantage of the Indo-Greek Guilds (This can better reflect the existance and governance of the Indo-Greek kingdom)).
• Improved options for dealing with the nomadic invaders that plagued the Greco Bactrian Kingdom (Subject/Allied tribes but not as benefical as the KB versions to reflect Baktria's more hostile relations with said nomads).
• The ability to commender existing Seleucid and Archemenid style administrations although not to the same extent as the former.

Perhaps the growing buddhist influence can be reflected in a traitline or two...the first human depictions of buddha were allegedly produced in the Hellenic Style.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greco-Buddhism
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greco-Buddhist_art

All of this is mere conjecture at this moment as literature and findings are still relatively scant for both Greco-Bactrian and Indo-Greek kingdoms.

Anyways, @Sarkiss, great work on this playthrough!

i cannot really justify current extremely restrictive arrangement, especially when it comes to neighboring powers such as Baktria, which curiously enough can have them recruited (and cataphract elephants at that) in home province but not anywhere else. it is rather disappointing, really, and im not exclusively concerned with Baktria but any invading power. gaining access to indian elephants is what makes invasion of india a unique and rewarding experience. its half the fun. any serious ruler in the area would have had access to them, Seleukos and Antiochus came out with elephants in tow etc. so both historically and gameplay wise, they have to be available, at least the more basic unarmored type, with the advanced levels of regional govt imho.

[Sarkiss]

after all these years playing EBII, highlights from my first ever (and long overdue!) Roman campaign.

CAMPAIGN HIGHLIGHTS: Europa Barbarorum II, SPQR - Carthago delenda est!