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Thread: Tsardoms Total War - FACTION PREVIEW: Tsardom of Serbia (Complete overhaul)

  1. #1
    jurcek1987's Avatar Protector Domesticus
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    Default Tsardoms Total War - FACTION PREVIEW: Tsardom of Serbia (Complete overhaul)





    INFANTRY

    Krajisnici Axemen
    Lightly armoured special force of frontiersmen armed with battle-axes and shields

    Quality: Superior
    Type: Rural Militia

    In an era when Serbian borders are constantly threatened by enemies, the border regions maintain special forces called Krajisnici. Derived from the Serbian word for border region - krayina - the main duty of these units is to guard the frontiers of the Serbian realm. By the words of the Roman contemporary ambassador Gregoras, they are armed with "spears, battle-axes and bows and arrows". They seem quite lightly armed but in the hands of a skilled commander, they are very useful.

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    Vlastelcic Macemen
    Medium Serbian infantry armed with maces used as shock infantry

    Quality: Average
    Type: Early Professional

    A mace is a blunt weapon with the heavy head on the end of a handle, like club, to deliver powerful blows. A mace typically consists of a strong, heavy, wooden or metal shaft, often reinforced in metal, featuring a head made of stone, copper, bronze, iron or steel. Maces, being simple to make, cheap and straightforward to use were quite common weapons in medieval Serbia. The mace had the capability to penetrate even the heaviest armour. Beside a mace this unit used a shield for protection and various chainmail, lamellar and padded armour. In the battle formation they will be a shock unit and always been found besides spearmen who protect them from cavalry attacks to which they are vulnerable.
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    Spearmen
    Solid spearmen with round shields forming the main battle line in Serbian armies

    Quality: Average
    Type: Early Professional

    The main core of Serbian infantry are the Serbian spearmen. Combining the Slavic and Roman traditions, they are trained, disciplined and protected with round shields and chain mail armour. They always stand in the main line against the enemies of Serbia and are effective against cavalry units.
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    Vojnici Heavy Spearmen
    Heavy Serbian spearmen able to withstand powerful enemy attacks being well armoured

    Quality: Superior
    Type: Early Professional

    The spear armed infantry has been the staple of the Serbian military ever since the first written mention of the Slavic tribes in the Balkans. These men are commoners, land owning bastniks and even the sons of minor nobility forming units of heavy spearmen trained to withstand the attack of the most powerful enemies and with strong morale. The Vojnici are protected by a mix of chainmail, lamellar, brigantines and coat of plates fusing the influences of the Roman Empire and the Western military equipment.
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    Bastinik Heavy Swordsmen
    Heavy infantry with sword and shield comprised of landowners.

    Quality: Superior
    Type: Feudal

    Every Serbian freeman who held land as alodial or feudal property as freeholder (bastinik) or vassal (pronijar), was obligated to go to war every time when he was called, there wasn't any restrains in the length of the service like in the West. Feudal troops were raised by local official (zupan in early period, kefalija and vojvoda in latter period) at the king's/tsar's order, and the same official acted as commander of troops he raised during the campaign. Evading the military service was severely punished, usually with confiscation of property. These men are the shock troops of the Serbian Empire and are able to turn the tide of battle if engaged at the right moment.

    Equipped with neck protection, lamellar and scale armor, round shield and armed with sword and axe, they are the medieval equivalent of a tank, cutting, stabbing and hacking with no mercy.
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    Halberdiers
    Professional soldiers protected by chainmail and brigantines and armed with halberds

    Quality: Average
    Type: Late Professional

    The Serbian army was organised simillar to the Roman army in the early XIVth century. However, as the Serbian state expanded and its wealth increased due to trade and mining, it started to adopt a more Western military organisation. Arms and armour were imported from places such as Hungary, Germany and Italy and the halberd was one such weapon. Originating from a farming tool the halberd developed into an efficient weapon used both for dragging enemies of their horses but also to sever infantrymen limbs and break through armour. The Serbian halberdiers are trained, professional soldiers equiped with brigantines and German helmets. Although lacking in very heavy armour, they are an excellent support force for the frontline troops and can be found as castle guards as well.
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    Dismounted Knights
    Heavy infantry Serbian men-at-arms modelled after the Western knights

    Quality: Elite
    Type: Early Professional

    The introduction of Western European-style armour was an inevitable by-product of the country's reliance on German, Hungarian, Spanish and other foreign mercenaries. Their weapons, equipment and tactics were adopted in 14th century during rule of Tsar Stefan Uroš IV Dušan. He hired German knights to be his personal guard and seeing effectiveness of western equipment he formed a new elite force based on western European tradition: Men-at-Arms. These professional soldiers are equipped with the latest western armour and weapons available, mostly Italian and also German in origin. Trained by German mercenary knights they became the most elite warriors of Tsar's army when nobility (Vlastela) refused to obey. Formation and recruitment of western style Men-at-Arms placed Serbian army on dominating position in the region alongside with Hungary. Dismounted they form elite heavy infantry among Serbian military ranks.
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    Vojvode Guards
    Elite palace guards armed with polearms and protected by heavy chainmail and shields

    Quality: Elite
    Type: Late Professional

    In the time of the late Middle Ages the polearm became a popular weapon in Europe and Serbia is no exception. Dressed in typical Western-style helmets, they can hack their way with equal efficiency through enemy infantry and cavalry alike. They are highly trained and professional troops serving as palace guards when not on campaign.
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    MISSILE

    Meropsi Archers
    Poorly trained peasants armed with hunting bows and axes

    Quality: Peasant
    Type: Rural Levy

    Before battle of Kosovo, the serfs known as meropsi were generally relieved from military service. Instead they participated only in logistics providing food, forage and transport for the army. In the latter period, especially during the Despotate (first half of the 15th Century) peasants were obligated to participate in: local defence against Turkish raids, in pursuit of bandits and robbers (this was called potecica) and some kind of general mobilisation was introduced in the time of extreme danger called zamanica or zamanicka vojska. In times such as this when life of an ordinary person is uncertain each peasant capable of carrying a weapon is called to defend the kingdom and his home. Despite been poorly trained, armed and equipped these men fight with heart and inspiration for their land and can bring a nasty surprise to the enemy that underestimates them.

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    Bowmen
    Regular bowmen using composite bows and protected by leather, mail and shields

    Quality: Average
    Type: Early Professional

    Serbian Bowmen are one of the regular range units in service to the Serbian realm. They wear chainmail, leather armour and chapel helmets and are armed with composite bows influenced by Bulgarian and Magyar traditions and shield that creates an additional protection. Professional archers, these bowmen are a solid range unit ready to cover any opponent with arrows on every type of terrain.
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    Crossbowmen
    Militia crossbowmen protected by gambeson and fighting with maces in melee

    Quality: Average
    Type: Urban Militia

    In the XIV century, the crossbow played a significant role in warfare in Europe and the Mediterranean and it started to appear in Serbian armies during the 14th century, a period of gradual westernisation of the army. Adopted by the Serbian infantry through contacts and trade with the Italians and Ragusians, they have pros and cons compared to bows: shorter range, longer reload time, but greater armour penetration. Also crossbow requires significantly shorter training time to master. In Serbian armies crossbowmen continued to be outnumbered by the bowmen, even in late medieval period. Their armour and equipment is basically in western style, with the exception of their crested helmet which is of traditional Slavic design. Though lightly equipped, they are good as garrisons of castles and towns, as well as on the battlefield. Shields are not used and their mail and padded armours are their only protection. Crossbowmen’s secondary weapon is usually a mace but if they have to use it then the battle is not going as planned.
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    Puskari Arquebusiers
    Arquebusiers protected by brigantines and chainmail

    Quality: Average
    Type: Late Professional

    First handguns appeared in Serbia in the beginning of the 15th Century. Rich gold and silver mines enabled Serbian rulers to buy cutting-edge technology and hire experts to wield it. At this stage, however, handguns (Serbian - puška) caused more morale rather than physical damage. They were hard to aim precisely and had limited range but if the target was hit, the shot would go through almost any armour. However thundering sounds, violent flashes, smoke and awful smells would scare men and horses alike and bring further turmoil and confusion upon the enemy. The close relations with Ragusa helped Serbians to master and equip themselves with this new modern weapon of warfare. These men are professional soldiers, most of them are locals but some are mercenaries from Hungary. Shields are not used and their mail and brigandine armours are their only protection. Their secondary weapon of choice is usually a single-edged sword with a knife-like hilt construction called a messer (German for "knife").
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    CAVALRY

    Pronijar Cavalry
    Medium cavalry inspired by Romans, comprised of landowners and fighting with lances and large shields

    Quality: Average
    Type: Feudal

    Influenced by the traditions of the Medieval Roman Empire, the Serbian feudal army and military landholding system was inherited from the Roman pronoia. The pronoia itself (hereditery by some accounts, non-hereditery by others) is first recorded in Serbia under that name in 1299, but even from as early as Stephan Nemanja's reign, every able-bodied man possessing a bashtina (a grant of hereditary freehold land, the holder being called a bashtinik or voynici) had been obliged to attend the army whenever it was required. Armed with spears, shields and swords, this medium cavalry is one of the most decisive troops in battle.

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    Pronijar Horse Archers
    Medium cavalry comprised of landowners, fighting as mounted horsearchers

    Quality: Average
    Type: Feudal

    Influenced by the traditions of the Medieval Roman Empire, the Serbian feudal army and military landholding system was inherited from the Roman pronoia. The pronoia itself (hereditery by some accounts, non-hereditery by others) is first recorded in Serbia under that name in 1299, but even from as early as Stephan Nemanja's reign, every able-bodied man possessing a bashtina (a grant of hereditary freehold land, the holder being called a bashtinik or voynici) had been obliged to attend the army whenever it was required. Armed with bows, shields and swords, this medium cavalry is one of the most versatile units in battle.
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    Vitezi Heavy Horse Archers
    Heavy armoured Serbian noble horse archers

    Quality: Average
    Type: Feudal

    The Serbians were traditionally known as having heavy cavalry armed with lances. However, horse archers were also present in the Serbian army although usually a Serbian cavalryman had both a lance and a bow as a secondary weapon. Contemporary church depictions frequently show Serbian horse archers and medieval records frequently describe the Serbians as being horse archers. At the Battle of Velbuzd in 1330, the 22-year old prince Stefan Dusan led the attack on the Bulgarian center with a large heavy cavalry force. His historiographer Danilo praised the "horse archers of our young and bravely prince who were shooting arrows with both hands and did not know of a single miss". At the Battle of Plocnik the Serbians used their horse archers to harass the flanks of the Ottoman army. These men are Serbian nobles in heavy armour that have chosen to fight as horse archers instead of lancers. Though not as skilled in using the bow as Eastern or Steppe horse archers, they are well protected by their heavy armour and being knights they can also hold their own in melee fights.
    By the late XIVth century these heavy horse archers disappeared from the Serbian armies to be replaced by fully armoured knights.
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    Knights
    Heavy cavalry Serbian men-at-arms modelled after the Western knights

    Quality: Elite
    Type: Early Professional

    The introduction of Western European-style armour was an inevitable by-product of the country's reliance on German, Hungarian, Spanish and other foreign mercenaries. Their weapons, equipment and tactics were adopted in 14th century during rule of Tsar Stefan Uroš IV Dušan. He hired German knights to be his personal guard and seeing effectiveness of western equipment he formed a new elite force based on western European tradition: Men-at-Arms. These professional soldiers were equipped with one of the best western armours and weapons available, mostly Italian and some German. Trained by German mercenary knights they became the most elite warriors in Tsar's army when nobility (Vlastela) refused to obey. Formation and recruitment of western style Men-at-Arms placed Serbian army on dominating position in the region alongside with Hungary. Also they were pretty much the only western style heavy cavalry in the Balkan peninsula which was not composed of nobility.
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    Gusars
    Elite light cavalry renowned for their devastating hit and run tactics

    Quality: Exceptional
    Type: Early Professional

    Hardened in battles against Tatars and Turks, the Serbian cavalry contingents evolved under the influence of the light eastern and much more manoeuvrable horse troops. This Serbian light cavalry, known since XIV century as gusars or usars, derives from Serbian gusar or husar, meaning a robber or plunderer. Known for their skills and potential, they were hired in Hungary, Poland and Lithuania where they became known as Raci or Racowie meaning Serbians. These predecessors of the future legendary winged hussars, armed with lance 10-12 feet in length and a saber, are extremely useful cavalry in battle and will shape the evolution of future warfare in Europe.
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    Vlastella Noble Cavalry
    Serbian nobility fighting as heavy cavalry in full Western armour

    Quality: Elite
    Type: Feudal

    The Serbian Vlastela are the elite nobles of Serbia and the main force leading the Serbian expansion for territory and land. Rich and powerful, they are equipped with the best armour and equipement available bought from Venice and Ragusa. Influenced by the western knights in service of the Serbian king, the vlastela and their retinues formed the spine of the Serbian army and military strategy and are one of the best heavy cavalry in Southeastern Europe. But beware of their desire for power and independence. Under the rule of a weak sovereign, they can easily separate and proclaim themselves despots, kings or even emperors.
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    Despot's Guard (Despotate of Serbia Bodyguard)
    Elite heavy cavalry guard of the Serbian Despot

    Quality: Elite
    Type: Bodyguard

    The Battle of Kosovo against the rising Ottoman Empire in 1389 marks a turning point and is considered as a beginning of the fall of the medieval Serbian state. After the battle, Serbia became a vassal Ottoman state and Stefan Lazarević was obliged to participate in battles if ordered by the Ottoman sultan.\n\nThe Ottoman defeat by the Timurid Empire at the Battle of Ankara in 1402 and the ensuing turmoil in the empire, allowed for several decades of revival in Serbia (Lazarević renaissance). Returning to Serbia in the aftermath of the battle, Stefan visited Constantinople where the Roman emperor Manuel II Palaiologos granted him the title of despot. In previous years, this title would mean that the despot would rule some vassal state; however, as the Empire was too weak to assert such a rule and Serbia was not its vassal state, Stefan Lazarević took this title as the personal style of the Serbian monarchs. The magnate families Lazarević and Branković ruled the suzerain Serbian Despotate afterwards which survived for another 60 years, experiencing a cultural and political renaissance before it was conquered by the Ottomans in 1459 following the siege of the provisional capital of Smederevo.
    Loyal and disciplined, this elite unit of heavy cavalry accompanies their Despot wherever he goes on the battlefield. Wearing full Western plate armour and wielding lances, these elite troops fear little on the battlefield and make fearsome opponents.
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    German Guard
    Elite heavy cavalry guard of the Serbian Tsar made up of German mercenaries

    Quality: Exceptional
    Type: Bodyguard

    As Serbian expansion continued, the need for mercenaries increased. However, it was the Western heavy cavalry which came to predominate. Mercenaries in Stefan Uroš III's army that defeated the Bulgarians at Velbuzhd were comprised of 1500 Aragonese, Spaniards and Germans and it was the latter who became predominant during Dušan's time. Best known of them was the contingent of mercenaries from Austria and Slovenia under the command of captain Palmann Bracht which became an elite bodyguard troop of Tsar Stefan Dušan. At least 300 knights and man-at-arms were permanently attached to his court always at disposal, as reported by the papal legate to Stefan's court. In time, the intrigues in the Serbian court and the desire for more power from the Serbian nobility made the Serbian ruler to trust his security to well-paid, highly skilled and loyal German knights who fought as heavily armored cavalry armed with the best equipment available. Romans spoke with envy of these heavy armored men of "exceptional strength and best training". Indeed, these highly organised and trained mercenaries played a prominent role in the Serbian victories of the period.
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  2. #2
    jurcek1987's Avatar Protector Domesticus
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    Default Re: Tsardoms Total War - FACTION PREVIEW: Tsardom of Serbia (Complete overhaul)

    LOCAL UNITS & MERCENARIES

    INFANTRY

    Slavonic Peasant Spearmen
    Hardy peasants from the Slavic folk of the Balkan peninsula armed with spears and wooden shields

    Quality: Peasant
    Type: Rural levy

    These are common folk levied from various regions of Balkans, Serbia & Bosnia. Since the first Slavic settlement in the Balkan Peninsula, these hardy and tough folk used spears for hunting, fighting and wars. These men are the closest to law enforcement in castles or towns and villages. In times of emergency they are often used in the ranks of the military as a general levy mainly because they’re numerous but their morale is not so high like their professional spearman counterparts. Mostly they are equipped in peasant clothing, no armour and with spears and wooden round shields.
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    Vlach Warriors
    Rough shepherds from the mountainous areas of the Balkans serving as light spearmen

    Quality: Average
    Type: Mercenary

    The vlachs are a semi-nomadic people whose main occupation is shepherding. The vlach way of life is centered on transhumance which is the seasonal movement with their livestock from the summer pastures in the mountains to the winter pastures in the plains. The vlachs are spread throughout the Balkans and have communities from Greece, where they even setup their own semi-independent state in Thessaly, all the way to the Adriatic in Bosnia, Croatia and Ragusa. Their skills as warriors and their knowledge of the terrain is highly valued when it comes to protecting caravans and travelling merchants as well as serving as mercenary and auxiliary forces in Balkan armies. Being shephers the vlachs dress in sheepskin, use wooden shields for protection and spears as weapons. They are a cheap and resiliant force which can prove valuable to any Tsar or Despot.
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    Hungarian Swordsmen
    Hungarian mercenary companies equipped with sword, shield and mail, effective against other infantry

    Quality: Average
    Type: Mercenary

    These are professional mercenary warriors drawn from the lower classes all over the Kingdom of Hungary. These men hire themselves out to the highest bidder all over Central and Eastern Europe. They have some skill in combat and are equipped with swords, shields and mail armour. They make good defensive and offensive companies and are useful against both archers and other infantry.
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    Hungarian Halberdiers
    Hungarian mercenary companies armed with a halberd which can fend off cavalry and pierce or crush armour

    Quality: Superior
    Type: Mercenary

    Placed between the German and Bohemian states in the West and the Orthodox East the Hungarians adopted Western fighting styles and weapons and served as mercenaries in numerous armies in Italy, Germany, the Balkans or the Vlach states. Whether they are hired directly by the various kings, despots or voivodes or if they are sent as aid by the Hungarian king, these men will fight for their masters as long as they are paid.
    Trained and equipped to fight with long halberds, these soldiers can fend off cavalry and crush many kinds of enemies depending on what part of the halberd they hit them with. Reasonably trained, though not exceptionally brave, these companies specialise in assaults or the close defense of spearmen or pike squares.
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    Saxon Halberdiers
    Militia formed by German inhabitants of Hungary armed with a fearsome halberd.

    Quality: Superior
    Type: Local

    A German who settled in the Kingdom of Hungary is called szász (Saxon). The first settlers came around 1150 to Erdőelve (Transylvania) and Felső részek (Upper Parts) when the king intensified the settlement of the eastern part of the territories. As Hungarian subjects have to do service in the military, it is no different with the Saxons. The nobles are obliged to serve as heavy cavalry while the commoners have to provide infantry. Among these militiamen, Saxons sometimes fight armed with halberds. This fearsome weapon combines the abilities of the spear and the axe and it is effective against armoured opponents. Furthermore, when in formation the halberdiers are capable of withstanding cavalry.
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    Hungarian Pavise Spearmen
    Armed with a spear and well protected by good armour, these soldiers are effective mercenary infantry capable of forming a defensive wall of spears

    Quality: Superior
    Type: Mercenary

    The Black Army (Hungarian: Fekete sereg), also called the Black Legion/Regiment was a common name given to the military forces serving under the reign of King Matthias Corvinus of Hungary. The ancestor and core of this early standing mercenary army appeared in the era of his father John Hunyadi in the early 1440s. The idea of the professional standing mercenary army came from Matthias' juvenile readings about the life of Julius Caesar.
    The mercenary soldiers of other countries in the era were conscripted from the general population at times of crisis and soldiers worked as bakers, farmers, brick-makers, etc. for most of the year. In contrast, the men of the Black Army fought as well-paid, full-time mercenaries and were purely devoted to the arts of warfare. It was a standing mercenary army that conquered large parts of Austria (including the capital Vienna in 1485) and more than half of the Crown of Bohemia (Moravia, Silesia and both Lusatias), the other important victory of the army was won against the Ottomans at the Battle of Breadfield in 1479.
    These men are a well trained and equipped mercenary company which also formed part of the Black Army. They are wearing heavy armour and are equipped with a spear and a large pavise and able to form a defensive wall of spears.
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    German Pikemen
    German mercenary pikemen, precursors to the Landsknechts

    Quality: Superior
    Type: Mercenary

    The Swiss were the first people in the Holy Roman Empire that started using the pike in their battles against the Austrians. After several defeats at the hands of the Swiss pikemen other German states started adopting the pike as well and fighting in the Swiss style. These men are recruited from different areas within the Holy Roman Empire and are the precursor to the Landsknechts. They form a wall of pikes and iron tips which are deadly against cavalry, especially if they are protected by firearms and halberdiers.
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    MISSILE

    Balkan Javelinmen
    Hardy peasants from the Slavic folk of the Balkan peninsula armed with throwing javelins

    Quality: Peasant Militia
    Type: Rural Levy

    Since the earliest settlement of Slavic peoples in the Balkan Peninsula the axe and javelin has been used for hunting but for warfare as well. In the dominant mountain, hill and river valleys topography of the Balkans, Serbia & Bosnia, the use of javelins was widespread. These men are peasants equipped with throwing javelins that often engaged in guerrilla-war types of hit and run tactics. They attacked the enemy, using hill sides and woods, throwing a vast barrage at the enemy discouraging them or producing heavy losses, and then running and hiding in the thick woods or mountain slopes of the region, without been even followed or pursued. They are equipped with several javelins, or throwing spears, which were very sharp and balanced, often 90-110cm in length. They are effective against the enemy flanks and when they run out of javelins, in close combat, they use axes.
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    Albanian Archers
    Highlander archers from the rough areas of Albania wearing little armour and suitable for skirmishing

    Quality: Peasant Militia
    Type: Local

    Most of the Albanian infantry were archers with little armour which gave their loyalty to the local clan chief. The local Albanian clans in turn engaged in alliances and rivalries with other clans or other powers. The mountainous terrain in the Albanian highlands favour the use of ambush and guerilla tactics for which these soldiers are highly appropriate. They wear the typical Albanian dress with long hanging sleeves and large hats. Being lightly armoured they are not suitable for prolonged engagements and will retreat in the face of attacking foes.
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    Almogavar Skirmishers
    Frotiersmen from Catalonia fighting with javelins and short stabbing swords

    Quality: Superior
    Type: Mercenary (Renowned)

    Almogavars were the Catalans dressed in light armour and often recruited as mercenaries by many European kingdoms. Even if they were lightly armoured, they were known as fearsome warriors, highly skilled with javelins and deadly with their butcher knife. These men were part of the famous Catalan Company of Roger de Flor, who were in service of Balkan states. With their great skill and high morale, they can be deadly even to heavily armored foes.
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    Cakoni Handgunners
    Ragusan mercenary handunners trained in the use of new gunpowder weapons

    Quality: Average
    Type: Mercenary

    The first guns are some of the newest weapons filled with gunpowder which makes them very dangerous. They can break through almost every armor, and the smoke, the thunders and the noise can be used in order to bring further turmoil and confusion upon the enemy. The close relations with Ragusa benefit the Serbian army that can hire mercenaries with guns, which prove to be very useful. These Ragusians served in Serbian service were called Gradoljubdenije, a service of protecting the city walls.
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    CAVALRY

    Vlach Horsemen
    Rough shepherds from the mountainous areas of the Balkans serving as light cavalry

    Quality: Average
    Type: Mercenary

    As part of their pastoral way of life the vlachs also mastered horsemanship. Their horses are sturdy animals used to the rugged terrain of the mountains. Dressed in sheepskin and with only a wooden shield for protection, the vlachs rely on speed and quick manoeuvres to outsmart their enemies. The vlach cavalry is perfect for hit and run tactics and to chase down routed enemies. It fills the gap as light cavalry available all over the Balkans but should not be used against heavier cavalry.
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    Albanian Cavalry
    Highly versatile good quality light cavalry

    Quality: Superior
    Type: Local

    Known as Arbanites or Arbereshe the Albanian people organised themselves in various principalities in the Balkans and were led by ferocious chieftains. They were to be found in the armies of the Angevins of Naples which conquered Albania and deemed a kingdom in 1271 but also in the Morea, Epirus and other parts of the Western Balkans. The Albanian people were very divided with various groups owing their allegiance to certain chieftains, going as far as to aid foreign enemies against rival chieftains. Due to the harshness of the Albanian lands these men learned how to use the terrain to their advantage and adopted ambush style tactics. The Albanians were mostly light cavalry armed with sword or sabre and a lance or a 'zagaie' which was 10-12 feet in length with a blade at each end and was wielded overarm. They wore costumes with large brimmed hats and hanging sleeves. Popular clothing colours were scarlet (for the nobility), red, green and blue. These cavalryman used hit and run tactics harassing their opponents. The success of these cavalrymen against superior enemies such as the Ottomans led to the creation of the later stradiot companies.
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    Cuman Horse Archers
    Lightly armed but highly skilled horse archers

    Quality: Superior
    Type: Mercenary

    The cavalry that formed the “Skythikon” was lightly armed and exclusively made up by horse archers. Hailing primarily from steppe people, these warriors, like their Turkish counterparts, are highly effective in battle and form an integral part of any field army. Armed with short recurved composite style bow (named “Skythikon” after them), usually with bone or horn tips, these troops can be deadly in any battle.
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    German Knights
    Mercenary German knights from the Holy Roman Empire capable of deadly charges and fearsome in melee combat

    Quality: Superior
    Type: Mercenary

    Not all Knights owned land, nor did joining an order or being part of a lord's retinue suit all knights. Many choose to offer their expertise in warfare to whomever can afford them. Many of these knights have turned war into a profitable career by becoming mercenaries. These are knights from the Holy Roman Empire that have chosen to fight for money as swords for hire instead of serving their liege lords. Wearing partial plate armour, and equipped with maces, as well as lances, these trained and experienced knights are a good choice for taking on other heavily armoured units. They can be found fighting as mercenaries all the way from Italy to the Balkans and even as far as the Roman Empire. Although excellent shock troops, they do have a strong interest in personal survival.
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    Catalan Knights
    Experienced heavily armoured knights formed from the nobility of Aragon and Catalonia

    Quality: Elite
    Type: Mercenary

    The Catalan Knights of Aragon, known as the Cavalls Armats, are experienced heavily armoured knights that fight in similar style to their Frankish or other western knights. During the Reconquista of Spain, the Catalan Knights were at the spear of the Christian offensive facing the armies of the Muslim Taifas. At the decisive battle of Puig in 1237, a handful of Catalan Knights supported by footmen defeated a large Muslim army and conquered Valencia for the Crown of Aragon. After the Aragonese established firm control in Iberia, the armies of Aragon and the mercenary Catalan Company took part in the War of the Sicillian Vespers between 1282 and 1302. The Catalan Knights faced the armies of the Angevins in several battles and helped establish the Aragonese-ruled Kingdom of Trinacria in Sicily. After the wars in Sicily, the Catalan Company moved into Greece and Asia Minor and the Catalan Knights, supported by the lighter Almogavars, fought in alliance with the Romans against Turks and Crusaders. After being betrayed by their employers, the Catalans and Aragonese defeated them in battle and moved back into Greece. In 1310 at the Battle of Halmyros, a small number of Catalan Knights and Almughavers defeated a Frankish heavily armoured chivalric host. The Catalan Knights can now be found in the armies of the Crown of Aragon, the Kingdom of Trinacria and in the service of the Catalan Company in the Duchy of Athens and Neopatria. Due to the mercenary element of the Catalan Company, as in the past, the knights may offer their services in exchange for high paying contracts in Romania and the Mediteranean.
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    Last edited by jurcek1987; July 27, 2019 at 10:30 PM.

  3. #3

    Default Re: Tsardoms Total War - FACTION PREVIEW: Tsardom of Serbia (Complete overhaul)

    wow,the units getting better and better,it will be great to play with serbia

  4. #4
    BarnicleBill1's Avatar Centenarius
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    Default Re: Tsardoms Total War - FACTION PREVIEW: Tsardom of Serbia (Complete overhaul)

    Fantastic!

  5. #5
    Alondite's Avatar Semisalis
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    Default Re: Tsardoms Total War - FACTION PREVIEW: Tsardom of Serbia (Complete overhaul)

    Great works! They just blew me away.
    Definitely can't wait to see them in game.

  6. #6

    Default Re: Tsardoms Total War - FACTION PREVIEW: Tsardom of Serbia (Complete overhaul)

    Just mesmerising, can't stop looking at this preview.
    Tsardoms: Total War
    Former Campaign Manager
    Semi-retired (or maybe semi-active? who knows...)




  7. #7
    Giorgios's Avatar Campidoctor
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    Default Re: Tsardoms Total War - FACTION PREVIEW: Tsardom of Serbia (Complete overhaul)

    Great to see Tsardoms still going strong!

  8. #8
    Wallachian's Avatar Citizen
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    Default Re: Tsardoms Total War - FACTION PREVIEW: Tsardom of Serbia (Complete overhaul)

    Quote Originally Posted by Giorgios View Post
    Great to see Tsardoms still going strong!
    Oh you have no idea, we are preparing lots of nice surprises and great progress.

  9. #9
    _Tartaros_'s Avatar "Harzschütze"
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    Default Re: Tsardoms Total War - FACTION PREVIEW: Tsardom of Serbia (Complete overhaul)

    impressive preview!

  10. #10
    jurcek1987's Avatar Protector Domesticus
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    Default Re: Tsardoms Total War - FACTION PREVIEW: Tsardom of Serbia (Complete overhaul)

    Thanks for all the kind words I too can't stop looking at the preview

    Here's another interesting improvement I'd like to show. As you may already know, apart from generic M2 rebels, Serbia will also have a proper shadow faction (Despotate of Serbia). They'll have their own bodyguard unit (Despot's guard, as shown in the preview) plus I also redid shield textures on some of the units. These textures will be used by shadow Serbia and by rebel Serbian units (slave faction). It's nothing major but it should make battles against Serbian rebels slightly less monotone

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  11. #11
    Hrobatos's Avatar Praeses
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    Default Re: Tsardoms Total War - FACTION PREVIEW: Tsardom of Serbia (Complete overhaul)

    Amazing job with those pavises!

  12. #12

    Default Re: Tsardoms Total War - FACTION PREVIEW: Tsardom of Serbia (Complete overhaul)

    This is wonderful!

  13. #13
    tomySVK's Avatar Campidoctor
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    Default Re: Tsardoms Total War - FACTION PREVIEW: Tsardom of Serbia (Complete overhaul)

    Fantastic preview, I can´t stop to admire this work
    I was suprised to see this recreation of Serbian warriors from pictures I found few days ahgo on pinterest - well done!

    Also I have a question about shadow faction - it will be avaiable in the custom battles?

  14. #14

    Default Re: Tsardoms Total War - FACTION PREVIEW: Tsardom of Serbia (Complete overhaul)

    i guess if the slave faction is available in custom battles then yes


    ohhh no i think am wrong i think the shadow faction is a stand alone faction

  15. #15
    Wallachian's Avatar Citizen
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    Default Re: Tsardoms Total War - FACTION PREVIEW: Tsardom of Serbia (Complete overhaul)

    Well if you are referring to these images made by Mr. Dušan Vasiljević than yes indeed that is what they are based on. We have taken quite a lot of inspiration from him.

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    Currently Shadow Serbia is a stand alone faction but is not available in custom battles. Although I am sure if people want it we could turn it on.

  16. #16
    AnthoniusII's Avatar Μέγαc Δομέστικοc
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    Default Re: Tsardoms Total War - FACTION PREVIEW: Tsardom of Serbia (Complete overhaul)

    Quote Originally Posted by jurcek1987 View Post
    Thanks for all the kind words I too can't stop looking at the preview

    Here's another interesting improvement I'd like to show. As you may already know, apart from generic M2 rebels, Serbia will also have a proper shadow faction (Despotate of Serbia). They'll have their own bodyguard unit (Despot's guard, as shown in the preview) plus I also redid shield textures on some of the units. These textures will be used by shadow Serbia and by rebel Serbian units (slave faction). It's nothing major but it should make battles against Serbian rebels slightly less monotone

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 
    Just remember a basic rule. Same shaped shields must share common normal map texture.
    Examle: The wooden leaf with metal rim ones must have one wooden normal map texture so what ever insignia will be placed on it you wont need to create new normal maps.
    In every attachment texture categorise your shields.
    That way Royalists, Usurpers and rebels can have diferent shield insignias sharing one common normal map texture. Remember "paint" does not leave 3d print!
    TGC in order to continue its development seak one or more desicated scripters to put our campaign scripts mess to an order plus to create new events and create the finall missing factions recruitment system. In return TGC will give permision to those that will help to use its material stepe by step. The result will be a fully released TGC plus many mods that will benefit TGC's material.
    Despite the mod is dead does not mean that anyone can use its material
    read this to avoid misunderstandings.

    IWTE tool master and world txt one like this, needed inorder to release TGC 1.0 official to help TWC to survive.
    Adding MARKA HORSES in your mod and create new varietions of them. Tutorial RESTORED.


  17. #17
    jurcek1987's Avatar Protector Domesticus
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    Default Re: Tsardoms Total War - FACTION PREVIEW: Tsardom of Serbia (Complete overhaul)

    Thanks for the tip Yes I am aware of this, I think I learned this from one of your posts in TGC forum. When making normals for stuff like shields or tunics, I always use a blank shield/tunic texture

  18. #18
    Fahnat's Avatar Biarchus
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    Default Re: Tsardoms Total War - FACTION PREVIEW: Tsardom of Serbia (Complete overhaul)

    This mod looks promising!

  19. #19
    AnthoniusII's Avatar Μέγαc Δομέστικοc
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    Default Re: Tsardoms Total War - FACTION PREVIEW: Tsardom of Serbia (Complete overhaul)

    Quote Originally Posted by jurcek1987 View Post
    Thanks for the tip Yes I am aware of this, I think I learned this from one of your posts in TGC forum. When making normals for stuff like shields or tunics, I always use a blank shield/tunic texture
    One last tuch.
    Open the horse texture you use for Despot's guards.
    In the screen shots you will notice that the eye wholes have the texture's color. Open the texture. Use the cycle tool and mark a cycle in the INNER side of the eye whole. While the cycle is marked go to alpha chanel of the texture -if there is none create one as alpha0- and use the black color to paint it black. Save it . That way the eye whole will be trensparent.
    See examples:

    The same aplies to head chain hoods with eye wholes ...


    Remember we are talking about the main textures NOT TH ENORMAL MAP ones.
    Also in the German Guard horses some do not have head cover. Inorder to look realistic, use my tutorial, extract from Medium horse Marka the head bridles as .obj and then import it to the horse model , merge it with the armors that do not have anything as head gear , give the proper coments, assignthem to proper bones and you will have something similar to this.


    Watch carefully that some horses have full head gear cover and others bridles with a metal plate ...The combilations are limitless!
    Something more close to your creation.

    Have fun!
    Last edited by AnthoniusII; August 01, 2019 at 05:14 AM.
    TGC in order to continue its development seak one or more desicated scripters to put our campaign scripts mess to an order plus to create new events and create the finall missing factions recruitment system. In return TGC will give permision to those that will help to use its material stepe by step. The result will be a fully released TGC plus many mods that will benefit TGC's material.
    Despite the mod is dead does not mean that anyone can use its material
    read this to avoid misunderstandings.

    IWTE tool master and world txt one like this, needed inorder to release TGC 1.0 official to help TWC to survive.
    Adding MARKA HORSES in your mod and create new varietions of them. Tutorial RESTORED.


  20. #20
    tomySVK's Avatar Campidoctor
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    Default Re: Tsardoms Total War - FACTION PREVIEW: Tsardom of Serbia (Complete overhaul)

    Quote Originally Posted by Wallachian View Post
    Well if you are referring to these images made by Mr. Dušan Vasiljević than yes indeed that is what they are based on. We have taken quite a lot of inspiration from him.
    Yes, I was referring to these pictures. Thanks for your kind answer.

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