Though a tactic available to any faction, the cheap recruitment (but high upkeep) of mercenaries recruited by the Balkan tribes lends themselves to the “pop up” army.Additionally Balkan factions can have access to some unusual weapons, such as the Getae falxmen (a sythe like two handed blade,) Illyrian hoplites & marines (Ardiaei warriors armed in the Greek style,) and the rhomphaia armed Thracian Warriors (a kind of early polearm, available to Tylis and the Odryssian Kingdom.) This can however also be seen as a fun challenge, as the player is forced to play creatively and make the most of the units they have available. The Balkan Tribes rosters are generally felt to be amongst the least developed in the game, with a limited and sometimes very limited variety of units in all areas.Multiple neighbouring Balkan tribes do allow for early confederations if they can be persuaded to join you, but may also lead you into further conflict with their neighbours. Because of this early turns will likely see you in conflict with one or more of these major factions. Starts in the Balkans neighbouring Greece, which is amongst the most densely populated areas on the campaign map with no less than 8 major (playable) factions between Dacia in the north and Sparta in the south.Cultural traits allow you to recruit mercenaries cheaply, but at the cost of higher upkeep.Live by the Sword: +2 experience for infantry recruits.Looters: +100% income from raiding and sacking.Deadly Aim: +2 experience rank(s) for missile recruits.Our Gods: public order bonus (maximum of +8) from presence of Balkan culture.Fierce Independence: +20% melee attack during battles in own or allied territory.Expert Seafarers: +2 recruitment slots in all ports.Rapid Campaigns: +50% mercenary upkeep costs.Promise of Loot: -50% mercenary recruitment costs.Total War: ROME II – Desert Kingdoms is released on March 8 th. The basic marriage action now has political implications.Faction leaders of opposite gender can now marry as a diplomatic action, significantly strengthening the relations between the two factions.Such events allow the player to recruit a female leader or gain some other bonuses from parties that would oppose such a decision. Usually, there are traditions and prejudice standing in the way. There are special events (dilemmas) that portray the trials and tribulations associated with women coming to power in ancient times.For cultures where women can’t hold public offices there is a special “Cursus Honorum” path that follows the increase in “behind-the-stage” political influence of women.In some cultures, like Rome and Greek – women can only serve a social/political role while in other women can be generals and fight alongside men. Important female characters have been added to all campaigns and across all factions.Following in Zenobia’s footsteps, Cleopatra and Teuta are now fully playable as faction leaders and generals, along with custom visuals and voice-over.Alongside their individual Faction Traits, the Desert Kingdoms all share the following Cultural Traits:ĭesert Warriors: Bonus to morale in desert battles and bonus income from agricultureĭeep-rooted Traditions: Penalty to research rate Each faction also has new building chains and technology trees, playing to their strengths and further differentiating their playstyles. While culturally similar, each faction boasts unique new unit rosters which offer different military strengths. Surviving these harsh environmental conditions has forged them into hardy warriors who use the shifting desert sands to their advantage in battle. These factions are native to the deserts of Africa and Arabia. The Kingdoms of Kush, Saba and Nabatea fall under the African/Arabian subculture, while the Masaesyli are of Numidian origin. The Desert Kingdoms Culture Pack introduces four new playable factions to Total War: ROME II.

Rome total war 2 factions