Playing as Athens in Dei - whats the point?

[MangyMinotaur]

I mean, it doesn't feel unique. You get a handful of units called athenians but theyre just normal hoplites, even the marines are not so much better than the regular marines. Whats the point of playing as athens?

[OwedEvil]

The last time I played DeI, which was a long time ago (I plan on installing it again eventually,) I found petty much no faction was unique. It's one of the reasons why i primarily play a Radious mod collection. Rome could get mercenary hoplites/pikes/barbs/etc. and there was very little unique units. It very well could have changed since the last I played, though. Hope so.

[Kurf]

Throughout the Reforms you unlock units that fit historically with the Ancient Hellenic transition from pure Pike formations to a system designed around holding the enemy with Spears while Swordsmen alleviate the pressure with cycling attacks and Light Skirmisher Cavalry tires out the enemy Cavalry.

It's probably better to play the Spartans in DeI, as they have more diverse units thanks to a standardized military formed by a pre-established social hierarchy similar to Rome. Initially you have Good Spears, Alright Spears, Bad Spears; but eventually you start injecting Skiritai Swordsmen and Companion Cavalry to deliver more decisive blows to your opponents. Keep in mind that most of the early Greek units are designed around a straightforward frontal attack, with time (and a little bit of Greek unification) you'll develop a unique Hammer-and-Anvil system where Cavalry plays a different role than just cycle-charging.

The nice thing about the Greeks is their tanky spearmen that enable you to leave your battle line alone while you micromanage Skirmisher Cavalry and Skiritai Swordsmen cycling.

[Fosil]

DeI tries to give you some historical accuracy. its aim is not to give you flaming pigs and bee hive throwers for the lols. the athenian rooster gives you the standard greece city state rooster with the additions of some better skirmisher cavalry and mercenary specialist troops.

"Little is known about the Athenian army during the DeI timeframe. The main fighting was left to various mercenaries and small groups of professional soldiers, but regular citizens did not engage in military service. While Athens had an institution similar to the Spartan Agoge (although on smaller scale), it largely disappeared around the year 300 BC. The units that did get more attention were their Logades/Epilektoi and cavalry in the form of Hippeis, later also native Tarantines. Most likely, the active Athenian citizen troops were small in size but well armed and trained.

The vast majority of citizens did not engage in war or training, leaving it to elites and mercenaries, but they would fight if the city itself was in danger. Due to enjoying a rather wealthy status, levied non-elite citizen troops were probably well armed but poorly trained. To show this a bit in game, their regular hoplites will have better armour on average but inferior base stats compared to other regular hoplites (which obviously can be later mitigated with experience). The non-citizen Athenian "mercenary" type units will be in their core roster, use the 3rd population class and will have a much higher upkeep.

Cavalry was another part of the army that got special attention. Athenian Hippeis were part of the wealthiest group in the city-state and enjoyed vast privileges. They used the best horses available, either their own or supplied by the state. If the mount died during the campaign, the state would cover the loss (if the horse belonged to the citizen) and cover the cost of new one (so you would not only be paid for your dead horse but also for the new horse). After some time passed, the Hippeus could demand a replacement, to make sure their horses are in the best shape. Despite sporting good equipment, Athenian cavalry is still no match for more cavalry-focused Hellenes, but nobody should underestimate it.

Other cavalry that developed in Athens were their Tarantinoi. While “Tarantinoi” in the DeI timeframe most likely meant just a fighting style and not nationality, they became rather popular in Athens. By the 2nd Century BC, the commander of Tarantines, called tarantinarchos, was introduced, which makes them one of the most distinct units in the army. Athenian citizens practiced that form of combat also as a part of state games."

-from http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?751715

[8-The-General-8]

What an interesting thread! Thanks for the insights into DEI and a bit of history here and there.