Thessalians + ???, EAP + ??? | Fanaticus

greedo
Tribune

Posts: 833

Thessalians + ???, EAP + ??? Jun 13, 2018 5:53:05 GMT

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Post by greedo on Jun 13, 2018 5:53:05 GMT

I left my heart in Thessalia.
I'm planning on getting a Xyston Thessalian DBA army for my greeks...

Why? Well I can't imagine anything more boring than pushing 12 Spear across a table with ZERO maneuvering. And I love Light Horse.

BUT, what about a doubles ally for the Thessalians? What army would help them be amazing (and still somewhat historical?)
I was thinking either Thracians or Athenians...

And on the flip side, I'm going to buy some Xyston EAP to match (they have great Sparabara but I have yet to see them painted).
Given all the discussion about trying to improve 8Bw vs 4Sp (i.e. Hoplites vs Sparabara) on other threads, I started thinking about all the elements in the Persian army that AREN'T 8Bw. 7Hd for example.

So, what would be a good ally for the Persians to give them a bit more bite against a Thessalian army + ally? I have NO idea on this one. Both have good Cav, but the Thessalians have an edge with their hoplites...

Assuming current 3.0 rules

No House rules for now.
Thoughts?

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paddy649
Senator

Posts: 1,198

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Thessalians + ???, EAP + ??? Jun 13, 2018 15:58:07 GMT via mobile

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Post by paddy649 on Jun 13, 2018 15:58:07 GMT

Greedo,

I love Thessalian under 3.0. For me they are the most effective of the Later Hoplite Greek Armies. The Hoplites are not so numerous that they dominate all other considerations and the mounted are sufficiently numerous to dominate the battlefield.

One thought however - I find the Thessalian most effective when using the 4 Cav option and not the 4 LH option.

Paddy

Last Edit: Jun 13, 2018 15:58:43 GMT by paddy649

jim1973
Senator

Posts: 1,090

Thessalians + ???, EAP + ??? Jun 13, 2018 21:57:28 GMT

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Post by jim1973 on Jun 13, 2018 21:57:28 GMT

You're too harsh Greedo!

Even the Later Spartans can have three non-spear elements (4Ax/Ps, Ps, Cav).

Aitolian can give Thessalians a few more hoplites plus some light troops. Illyrian is historically plausible but never happened and the Aux could help. Outside the EAP period then Brasidas or Agesilaus could make for some fun.

EAP should take Thebans/Ionians to match the HI and allow the bows to fight the cavalry. Interestingly, I/60c doesn't allow Hoplite allies, which makes Plataea a bit difficult to simulate. Otherwise Lykian can give you 4xSp and 1x3Bd to stiffen your line as well as some Aux.

Cheers

Jim

greedo
Tribune

Posts: 833

Thessalians + ???, EAP + ??? Jun 14, 2018 15:09:02 GMT

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Post by greedo on Jun 14, 2018 15:09:02 GMT

Jun 13, 2018 21:57:28 GMT jim1973 said:

You're too harsh Greedo!

Even the Later Spartans can have three non-spear elements (4Ax/Ps, Ps, Cav).

Aitolian can give Thessalians a few more hoplites plus some light troops. Illyrian is historically plausible but never happened and the Aux could help. Outside the EAP period then Brasidas or Agesilaus could make for some fun.

EAP should take Thebans/Ionians to match the HI and allow the bows to fight the cavalry. Interestingly, I/60c doesn't allow Hoplite allies, which makes Plataea a bit difficult to simulate. Otherwise Lykian can give you 4xSp and 1x3Bd to stiffen your line as well as some Aux.

Cheers

Jim

Ha!

Well one thing I like about the various Hoplite forces is that they aren't all the same...
Early Thebans are more spear... But it would be good to get some Mercenary Spear in with the EAP, agreed. Lykian looks fun, with it's single 3Bd, and you still get some Hoplites for your trouble.

The various armies get fun elements. I'm attracted to the odd ones:
Early Spartans get a 7Hd!
Later Thebans get 2x8Sp! Pity that they are later, but it would be interesting to pit them against the Spartans. In fact those Thebans gets a general 8Sp, so that's 4 +1(gen) +1(deep) +1(side) = CF7!!
Thessalians get a boatload of Cv/LH (the Xyston box contains all of them so I can choose Paddy

)
EAP get 8Bw and Hd

I was actually thinking Medes might be fun to play with the EAP, but perhaps you're right. They need some Merc Spears so that their Bw can do what they do best.

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