: Units like Francisca Heerbann (Franks) and Chosen Axemen (Saxons/Alemanni) are essential for countering the heavily armored late-game units.
: Unlike their mediocre counterparts in other titles, these heavy infantry are excellent, using armor-piercing lead-weighted darts (plumbata) before engaging in melee.
Barbarian factions that lose their last settlement do not die; they become a .
The expansion introduces several mechanics that differentiate its unit rosters from the base game. rome total war barbarian invasion units
The Eastern Empire’s pride. These ultra-heavy cavalrymen cover both rider and horse in chainmail or scale armor. Clibinarii also carry bows, making them incredibly versatile powerhouses. 🪵 The Germanic & Migratory Tribes: Shock and Awe
Tactics (for defenders): Use disciplined spear/legion lines, missile support, and heavy cavalry to counter barbarian charges or horse-archers.
: A horde faction with a roster heavily focused on versatile, high-endurance cavalry and horse archers, though they lack strong infantry. : Units like Francisca Heerbann (Franks) and Chosen
A defining shock infantry unit. Before charging into melee, they hurl heavy, curved throwing axes ( franciscas ) designed to split enemy shields and crush armor. Their subsequent charge can break all but the most elite Roman infantry.
Never chase nomadic horse archers with heavy infantry. Use testudo formations to absorb their arrows, or pin them down using your own light, fast cavalry.
The nomadic factions (Huns and Sarmatians) play very differently from both Romans and settled barbarians. They heavily rely on mounted warfare, primarily using hit-and-run tactics to bleed the enemy dry before committing to melee combat. Clibinarii also carry bows, making them incredibly versatile
Whether you choose to restore the glory of Rome with disciplined shield walls or burn it to the ground with nomadic horse archers, mastering the distinct traits of these units is the key to conquering the ancient world.
: Exceptional heavy cavalry that allow the Franks to compete with the top-tier eastern factions.
Their latest target was a coastal villa, still flying the Roman standard. Some wealthy decadus thought the empire’s collapse was someone else’s problem.
The late-Roman military focuses on heavy defensive lines and professional professional core units.