Rome II

[Gusington]

The Scythians came first, then the Parthians, IIRC. Together they make up...the Sassanids, at a later date. I think.

[jomni]

Scythians are nomadic tribes occupying the Eurasian Steppes. I suppose the Parthians aren't nomadic and occupy modern day Iran Iraq and Syria (basically the Persians during Alexander's time.

[Gusington]

Late in the day the history of these tribes makes my head spin. From a quick bout of research it looks like the Scythians, Parthians and a half dozen other groups make up the ancient Persians from around 600 BC to around 400 AD.

[LongBlade]

Late in the day the history of these tribes makes my head spin. From a quick bout of research it looks like the Scythians, Parthians and a half dozen other groups make up the ancient Persians from around 600 BC to around 400 AD.

And they're all playable factions in the game. 

[Gusington]

If you're into this kind of thing, look up the historical fiction writer Peter Harman...he loves himself some Armenian cataphracts and Parthians. I am really looking forward to playing as Armenia, as long as the campaign is not ridiculously difficult.

How are the newly tweaked sieges, btw?

[LongBlade]

If you're into this kind of thing, look up the historical fiction writer Peter Harman...he loves himself some Armenian cataphracts and Parthians. I am really looking forward to playing as Armenia, as long as the campaign is not ridiculously difficult.

I'm thinking getting started is a real challenge. The in-game description of Armenia lists the campaign as "hard." I'd agree.

How are the newly tweaked sieges, btw?

Dunno. I always bring at least two, preferably three, armies to a siege and then auto-resolve for the win.

[undercovergeek]

as a sieg-ER ive noticed the walls are defended very robustly, especially if youre even in numbers, it can be a tough fight to get over the wall and down into the city , AI moves archers and skirmishers up to the front and peppers you as you battle your way across the fortifications

havent been a sieg-EE, if theyre coming for me ill kill em in the open

[MengJiao]

If you're into this kind of thing, look up the historical fiction writer Peter Harman...he loves himself some Armenian cataphracts and Parthians. I am really looking forward to playing as Armenia, as long as the campaign is not ridiculously difficult.

I'm thinking getting started is a real challenge. The in-game description of Armenia lists the campaign as "hard." I'd agree.

How are the newly tweaked sieges, btw?

Dunno. I always bring at least two, preferably three, armies to a siege and then auto-resolve for the win.

I think the Armenians have a very tough spot in the Imperial campaign.  I took the Parthinians and the Armenians were the first faction I wiped out.  After taking a beating in the far east, I launched a pretty desperate campaign to take out Armenia or die trying.  Fortunately the numberous Satrapies of the Parthenians held off most of the other enemies until I finished off Armenia and Judea and Marc Anthony didn't do too much (took a few provinces, destroyed a few armies).  Once Armenia was gone, Judea was relatively easy to wipe out which impressed Cleopatra enough for her to opt out of the rest of Marc's Wars and then there was just Marc and he was massive but kind of diffuse.

[LongBlade]

Just when you think you've turned a corner with them someone else shows up to ruin your day. Almost every nation is hostile - and not only hostile, but you can't even negotiate with them. I had no choice but to fight on multiple fronts against multiple enemies. Finally I turned a bit of a corner, but this is a highly challenging game.

[undercovergeek]

what difficulty level are you?

[LongBlade]

what difficulty level are you?

Go gently on me.

[undercovergeek]

is that the one higher than 'hey, its gus here'

[LongBlade]

is that the one higher than 'hey, its gus here'

Nope. It's as far left as you can go. Easier than Gus at a wine tasting party.

[GDS_Starfury]

if I ever get to hang out with Gus his wife wont ever let him out of the house again.

[Gusington]

I posted somewhere in this thread that I won my Hannibal at the Gates TW campaign on 'Normal' difficulty, ucg. You wanker.