Unit Pricing

[RodriguesSting]

So I have been playing with the Romans a little by now, and can't help but to notice that my upkeep (around 13k) of my forces (minimal garrisons, 2 stacks) is at least double of what it was with the Swebi (large garrisons, 2 stacks). Furthermore, I had the slight itchy feeling that I could do more with the individual Swebian unit than with the Roman counterparts.

So, my suspicion that Barbarian troops are cheaper than Civilized correct? How exactly is the pricing defined? Based on stats? Availability? Possibility of reforms? Are the civilized folks priced just the same (per stat), but the Armor attribute is specially costly and, as they have more of it, they get more expensive?

[BailianSteel]

Armour is probably the deciding factor here. Sweboz are incredibly poorly armoured and warlike. Compare the cost of armoured Barbarian units like the Keltoi retainers and nobles and the price gap is lesser.

Also, what do you mean you could do more with Sweboz units? Leaving aside the spicy Garum take, they're cheap and numerous, and a skilled player could probably build an unstoppable tide with them once you get a hang of the Migration mechanics...but they take serious losses whenever they encounter armoured professionals.

[Jurand of Cracow]

The cost isn't based on stats; both cost and stats are derived from size, status, equipment and so on. I've posted the formula before, there's nothing mysterious about it:

A: values 1 through 4
- 1 = levy
- 2 = regular infantryman and light cavalry
- 3 = elite infantryman and regular cavalry
- 4 = elite cavalry

B:Addition of armor values depending on unit
- helmet +1
- 1 greave +0.5
- 2 greaves +1
- soft armour +0.5
- scale shirt, and linothorax +1
- mail +1.5
- breatplate +2
- cheires + 1
- small shield +0.5
- large shield +1.0

C: weapons
- sword +1
- spear +1 (including kontos, sarissa, xyston)
- dagger +0.25
- longsword, kopis +1.5
- rhomphaia +2
- sling +0.1
- simple bow +0.25
- recurve bow +0.5
- javelins +0.5
- longchai +1.0
- pila/soliferra +1.5
- axe +0.75
- club +0.5

D: 2 through 3 based on green through elite
2 = levy/green and skirmishers
2.25 = militia-type units, drafted regionals, or semi-professionals
2.5 = regular
2.75 = veteran
3 = elite

F: Number of men in unit on normal setting

H: horse type
Camel = 5.5
Pony = 6
Horse = 7
Nisaean = 8
1/2 barding = +2
3/4 barding = +3
full barding = +4

Equation:
cost = F[D(A+B+C+H)]

Upkeep is 3/16ths of recruitment cost.

[Maltacus]

Very interesting. Do you have a similar formula for unit stats?

[RodriguesSting]

So all unit prices are based on the same formula. I was sure there was some sort of over-pricing for Civilized factions to account for the higher levels of development their settlements can achieve. Imagine the Romans in Barbarian Invasion, paying premium for units that were mediocre compared to the much cheaper barbarians. As price doesn't get any fairer than that (for good or bad), I presume recruitment pools are more of a balancing factor then.