A Faction Guide for Multiplayer

A Rome Total War faction guide particulary geared for online play. The factions are listed by order of general strength. Some factions may fair better against others depending on their units, but on average they will have a general level of strength.

This guide might also be useful for the campaign.

note this is by no means an extensive guide, it is a general summary intended to help anyone new to Rome Total War.

Denari and Unit Scale

Denari and scale of the units play a big part in how powerful a faction is. As a general rule;
the lower the denari, the more valuable archers and light cavalry become. The higher the denari the more valuable infantry become.

In terms of unit scale (small, normal, large, huge), the larger the unit size, the less valuable archers become. This is because there is less space for archers to run- the map is relatively smaller to the unit- more easily caught by enemy cavalry.

Faction General Strength

This factions list will be based on 15000 denari level and normal scale setting. For balanced matchups online, a common rule set of cwb is used. This general summary of rtw factions will have this rule set in mind.

In order of general strength

Tier 1

1. Egypt

A skirmish faction, Egypt has powerful chariots and a good selection of archers that it can use to wear down the enemy from range. With access to versatile desert light cavalry and semi decent pike units that can assist against cavalry strikes, Egypt is very strong against all lower tier factions.

2. Britannia

Perhaps almost equal to Egypt in terms of strength, Britannia is also a skirmish faction with the aim of wearing down the enemy from range. Built around powerful chariots and slingers, Britannia also has access to the very offensively strong Head Hurlers that can destroy even the most heavily armoured units. The infantry options of the Woad Warriors and Chosen Swordsmen are also present, plus decent light cavalry and dog units.

Tier 2

3. Pontus

Whilst the scythed chariots of Pontus are better in terms of stats compared to Egypt/Britannia, they are prone to "running amok". This makes them harder to use and less versatile. Pontus is a semi skirmish faction, with access to archers and decent pike units. The Cappadocian cavalry are expensive for the stats, though the light cavalry are very cost effective.

4. Seleucid Empire

Is very close to Pontus in terms of power, however it's main strengths lie in the chariots, archers and Silver Shield Legionaires. There is also a good selection of light cavalry, heavy cavalry and decent pike units that can be useful against enemy chariots/cavalry. The Cataphract are the most powerful cavalry in the game in terms of stats.

Tier 3

5. Parthia

Is a powerful eastern faction that has very strong heavy cavalry, a good selection of missile troops and an assortment of light cavalry. The Cataphract Camels are particulary noteworthy for their effectiveness over enemy cavalry, as are the horse archers for their speed and ranged ability. Parthia does lack effective infantry which suffers from poor stats and morale.

6. Rome

Probably the best "all round" faction, Rome gets access to a good selection of all unit classes. The elite units of the Urban Cohort and Praetorian Cavalry are tough and very hard to break. The archers, and very cost effective light cavalry enable Rome to bring an effective army to most matchups. Though very versatile, the lack of pike is a major weakness Rome suffers against chariot factions.

7 Armenia

At heart, Armenia is a skirmish based faction with the main strengths being powerful Cataphracts, archers and horse archers. Armenia does get access to weak heavy spearmen which can be useful against enemy cavalry, but will not hold the line against better infantry. It should be worth noting the arab cavalry are cost effective for the price.

Tier 4

8. Scythia

The main strength of Scythia revolves around the archers and cavalry. The faction has archer warband which are tougher and have better stats than non barbarian missile troops. The Head Hunting Maidens are extremely cost effective light cavalry, in addition to the missile cavalry, enables Scythia to be very mobile. The desert axemen are half decent infantry that can be useful against an already weakened foe.

9. Macedon

The main strengths of Macedon are primarily it's pike force, a varied selection of archers and decent heavy cavalry. There is also a good selection of light cavalry which enables multiple army options for most matchups. Though the Companion Cavalry is an elite amongst the Macedonian forces, it cannot compete against the likes of the Praetorians or the eastern heavy cavalry units.

10. Carthage

Very similar in terms of strength to Macedon, Carthage is a versatile faction with a good selection of units available. The Sacred Band Spearmen are probably the most cost effective and powerful pike in the game- this is a major strength for Carthage. In addition to slingers and decent heavy cavalry, Carthage boasts superb light cavalry options and this can enable multiple playstyles.

Tier 5

11. Greece

The main strength of Greece as you might expect are the superb pike units. With access to Spartans, Armoured Hoplite and regular Hoplites, most Greek armies are based around strong pike formations. Greece also gets a good selection of archers and multiple light cavalry options that it can use in conjunction with the pike. A lack of heavy cavalry is the main weakness for Greece, which can result in a defensive playstyle being adopted in many matchups.

12. Germania

Germania's routes are based around war paint, individual combat and heroism on the battlefield. Who really needs armour anyway? What Germania lacks in discipline, it makes up with over powered attack stats on multiple units. Germania gets good cavalry, offensively strong infantry and units that can cause fear amongst the enemy. However, a lack of affordable archers and little armour on the infantry, makes Germania weak to prolonged battles with ranged troops.

13. Numidia

A desert faction, Numidia favours fast and mobile troops rather than heavily armoured units. A good choice of light cavalry is available including camels- slow but very effective vs horses. Archers and slingers are present as well as a number of versatile infantry. Numidia does get access to it's own version of legionaries, though well armoured compared to most of it units, are inferior to Rome's. The major weakness for Numidia is a lack of heavy cavalry.

14. Spain

Is very similar in terms of strength to Numidia and available troops. Spain has a good selection of offensive infantry, and gets access to multiple slinger options including Balearic. With no realistic heavy cavalry units, a good selection of light cavalry are present. The Spanish cannot compete with the likes of Rome, Armenia or any other faction that has excellent heavy cavalry, however against lesser factions, Spain can utilise it's true strength of speed and mobility.

15. Dacia

A barbarian faction by nature, Dacia is essentially a standard all round faction but with weaker heavy cavalry. Regular and elite archers are present on the roster, as well as a good selection of offensive infantry including Chosen Swordsmen. Dacia also has access to Scythian Mercenaries which are a steppe horse-archer unit capable of hit and run damage from range.

16. Thrace

With only a lower level of pike available, and no heavy cavalry on the roster, Thrace struggles against the stronger factions. Nonetheless, regular archers are available so too are a number of light cavalry including javelin throwing militia. There are several offensive infantry options including Falxmen that can be utilised for specific strategies.

Tier 6

17. Gaul

Arguably the weakest, with no affordable archers and sub par heavy cavalry, Gaul struggles against most factions. There are however, a good number of reliable infantry units to choose from, in addition to light cavalry and javelin throwing skimishers. Druid and dog units are also on the roster, though more often than not Gaul will be the underdog in most matchups.

Importance of Upgrades

A weaker faction that has properly upgraded units, can be far superior to a stronger faction that has no or few upgrades. It is important to understand the strengths of your faction and upgrade the most important units. Adding attack/defence upgrades not only boosts the actual combat values of your units, but provides extra moral and durability. Failure to upgrade units can result in a very weak army.

In many online battles your cavalry and archers are normally your strongest units, so it is wise to ensure they are sufficiently upgraded. A number of factions that have excellent pike units, or may rely on infantry to win the day, eg Greece, Carthage, Thrace, it is beneficial to ensure they are properly upgraded.

Hope this guide may be of some use to you
piper

[rt]

Egy Bri /Sele Pont /Rome Scy Par Arm Mace Car/ Gre Spa Ger Num Dac Thr Gaul

[piper.spirit]

Hi thanks for the feedback, always good to get fellow rtw opinions.
There is certainly alot more that could be said about Egypt, but this is only a general guide for all the factions. It's not extensive, perhaps useful for anyone new to total war. Your input for Egypt is certainly correct though, chariots and archers are the main strengths.

Certainly a case for placing Scythia below Macedon/Carthage. 3 similar in strength, Scythia probably close to equal with Macedon, though Carthage definitely has a slight edge over Scythia. Scythia is on par with Parthia/Armenia, but inferior to Rome. Carthage/Macedon are certainly weaker than Rome, and on average imo slightly weaker than Parthia/Armenia. Macedon probably favours slightly better due to having archers, but still faces challenges.

I guess it is subjective, these slight differences really depend on the army picked and the playstyle. Your right though, pikes do allow for more options! Anyway thanks for the input.

[IQ00]

Hi there, this is a brilliant guide! If I may, I'd just like to make a couple of comments

1. You could explain what makes Egypt the most powerful faction in the game in more depth. For starters, they are one of the 3 factions that can bring 10 archers (Along with Dacia and Scythia) Secondly, their pharoh's bowmen are the 2nd most powerful missile unit in the game, which makes for an extremely powerful skirmish. Thirdly, their Desert cav are Armour Piercing cav, lastly, while their chariots are the weakest among the 3 chars, they don't run amok, and are.. still chariots.

2. I would personally move Macedon and Carthage above Scythia, simply because their pikes make them less vulnerable versus a multitude of cavalry as compared to Scythia. Scythia is extremely vulnerable to archers and Maidens, while strong, are also fragile. But that is just my opinion to an otherwise excellent guide

[piper.spirit]

Yep, there isn't really much Gaul is good at

[Zeh]

they have the most disgusting everything

[_______TRAJAN_____]

Gaul have the most disgusting morale.

[Robandme]

Very nice mate, i do agree that Gaul should be on it's own at the bottom.

[piper.spirit]

Hi Exras, I guess a 31k table could be possible, depends how it is constructed I guess.

[inactive]

gj

[-IoW-EsraX-]

any plans making one for 31k?