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AoC Byzantine Units Expansion

This mod adds the Cheiroballistra, Shielded Crossbowmen, Varangian Guards, Kataphractoi and Greek Firebombers to Theme of Sicily in the Age of Charlemagne campaign. The Theme of Sicily will now have a unique, diverse and large unit roster! Units made aim to fit within the AoC historical setting, but of course there's some creative liberty (which CA also does) for gameplay/interest sake.

The AI will recruit these units in campaign. You can use these units using ANY MOD that unlocks the Theme of Sicily in campaign and custom battles! Quality/matching units cards have been made. This mod fits seamlessly with vanilla balance/gameplay and is fully compatible with all mods (and save games!).

I consider this as balancing and filling the void of the Byzantine unit roster, rather than expanding excessively or adding too much. The units are balanced; especially the Cheiroballistra, Crossbows and Greek Firebombers. The Kataphractoi and Varangian guards are elite units, yes, but at a trade off for being more expensive and having limited amounts recruitable.

Varangian guards are more expensive (price and upkeep) than equivalent elite 2-handed axemen.
Kataphractoi are one of the most expensive heavy cavalry, due to its archer/melee hybrid role.


================================= Unit Info =================================
[ Cheiroballistra ] - Dual torsion sprung long ranged artillery. Proven technology for centuries, its use decreased over time due to its complexity and high maintenance (requires Workshop II).

[ Armoured Crossbowmen ] - AWhile popularity of the 'toxoballistra' faded, its use still perhaps survived the fall of the Roman Empire (requires Baracks II).

[ Levy Crossbowmen] - The ease of use of the toxoballistra makes it an ideal weapon for levies and conscripts (requires Barracks I).

[ Varangian Guards ] - An early form of the renkown elite contingent of heavy mercenary axemen. Hailing from the North, their combat powress inspires troops (3 unit cap, requires Baracks III).

[ Kataphractoi ] - Noble heavy cavalry from the motherland with a hybrid archer and melee role, these are the proto-cataphracts of Medieval times! (6 unit cap, requires Baracks III).

[ Greek Firebombers ] - A squad of special infantry that can throw pots of burning 'naft', and act as formidable melee infantry (requires Workshop I).



------------------------------------------------ General Comments ------------------------------------------------
Note: some screenshots are outdated
Please ask for permission if you want to use my unit cards and give credit. A lot of things were newly made.
I wish for this mod to primarily be a modular addon to ANY mod that unlocks the Theme of Sicily. Feedback, comments and suggestions welcome :)



---------------------------------- Check out my other mods in my workshop ----------------------------------
- AoC Theme of Sicily (with missions, Empire events, victory conditions, families, etc)
- AoC Greek Fire Ship
- AoC Unique Units Expansion
- AoC Large Onager Fix
- AoC Mercenary Crossbowmen

------------------------------------------------------ Changelog ------------------------------------------------------
15/12/15 - Added Varangian Guards and Greek Firebombers.
16/12/15 - Updated the Greek Firebomber unit card to include a shield and a different pot.
16/12/15 - Shielded crossbowmen now have round shields and use shields in melee.
17/12/15 - Added Kataphractoi ( elite hybrid horse archer/spear unit with heavy armour).
17/12/15 - Updated the Kataphractoi unit card with a shield and spear on the back (and white horse). Balanced battle performance and costs (especially for crossbowmen!).

Latest Changes:
28/12/15 - Continued minor tweaks (unit cards, etc) to improve quality.
31/12/15 - Added levy crossbowmen, can be upgraded to shielded crossbowmen after researching Master of Terrain. Cost & combat balance changes for all units. Improved Cheiroballistra unit card significantly.
05/01/15 - Kataphractoi are now shock cavalry with short spears in charges. They will also use sword and shield in melee, and be able to use bows in long ranges. I've tweaked animations so that spears go on the back when they are in melee
12/01/16 - Added Koursorses and Armoured Drux's Guards. Tweaked unit balance/cost. Koursorses/Kataphractoi have more historical round shields.
13/01/16 - Fixed a camaign issue with Armoured Drux's Guards. Fixed an animation bug with kataphractoi. Armoured Duxs Guards and Kataphractoi have armoured horses (also show iron greaves and bracers).
26/01/16 - New unit card for Koursorses. New shield variants for Koursorses.
29/01/16 - Tweaked shield patterns and changed Armoured Crossbowmen.
26/02/2016 - Updated for the new official patch. Changed unit building requirements.