Roman deserters and separatists
"Rome, Senate, Consuls and their endless plains of legions under the Eagle standard… Sands of time will erase everything." – Gott Er Kalt. 1:21 am.
This unit pack adds 8 distinct legionary cohorts to almost every major faction in the game. Same core stats across the board, same Attacking Testudo formation for everyone. What changes is the look, the lore, and one unique ability per unit.
Every cohort has its own historical text card with a mini-lore. It is an alternative history, a set of reasons why these soldiers deserted, defected, or simply ended up serving outside of Rome. Some were abandoned, some walked away, some saw no other way. I wrote these stories because I wanted the units to feel like they belong to the world, not just as reskins with different colours.
Русская версия https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3757380421
I always wanted to recruit Roman legionaries after conquering Rome. Not as mercenaries, not through a clunky protectorate system that forces you to hope for an rng that you can get 1 particular unit, but an actual working recruitment system. The game does not let you do that easily. It is possible to just edit game files and add a row that allows your faction and your building to recruit any unit you want but I wanted it to make sense on Why the hell some homeless alcoholics from far east can get these soldiers.
Now you can recruit these units from a level 4 major city, no matter which faction you play. Barbarians, Greeks, Carthaginians, Eastern kingdoms, Desert factions – all of them get access to legionaries that fit their region. The lore explains why they are there, but mechanically they are available when you need them.
I have made another unit pack which adds supreme sword unit and stealth crush huntresses to Greek factions. Pretty wild stuff in there, check it out: https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3750778619
"They would rather stand with the wild boar than crawl with the serpent of Rome."
Available for: Arverni, Nervii, Boii, and other Celtic factions.
Special Ability: Frenzy.
"Rome raised and nurtured them, only to abandon them at the edge of the world."
Available for: Iceni.
Special Ability: Frenzy.
"Broken by endless defeats and betrayed by their leaders, they chose survival over duty, abandoning Rome to find new purpose among the Germanic tribes."
Available for: Suebi.
Special Ability: Frenzy.
"Service has a price in gold, especially when the Eternal City cannot afford to sustain its own soldiers."
Available for: Lusitani and that funny red Iberian faction with a name that I forgot.
Special Ability: Rapid Advance.
"Disillusioned by Rome’s greed and tyranny, they defected to defend Hellas, one of civilization’s oldest pillars. They fight to liberate Greece and restore the true Roman dream of justice and law."
Available for: Macedon, Athens, Sparta, Epirus, Seleucids, and Syracuse.
Special Ability: Shield Wall ("Close ranks! Raise shields! The voices in my head are getting louder! At your command! Yes commander. If we are victorious and win…")
"We serve you, Pharaoh, god in the flesh, keeper of time and history."
Available for: Egypt.
Special Ability: Defensive Testudo (static, square formation, cannot move).
"Carthage had stood for centuries. The deeds of a legionary would echo through history through his exploits and valor."
Available for: Carthage.
Special Ability: Triangle Formation.
"Weary of Rome’s endless wars, they deserted the legions to find peace in the desert, offering their swords to those who respect their craft."
Available for: Parthia, Armenia, Bactria, Kush, Nabatea, and other eastern factions (Caucasian, Media, etc.).
Special Ability: Square Formation.
"I want pizza."
Available for: Me.
Special Ability: Getting tired after an hour of writing this.
Unit Size: 180 men
Formation: Attacking Testudo (all units)
Recruitment: Level 4 Major City only
Stats: Equal across all cohorts (balanced for late-game)
Visuals: Unique per faction – no lazy reskins
The historical descriptions are pure fantasy. I wrote them because I enjoy this little world-building and because a beer without vodka is a waste of money oh no sorry I mean a unit without context is just another placeholder. You might not read them, but I wanted them to be there anyway.
Texture glitches: None observed
Crashes: None but if you are new to mods be aware there is an unofficial limit to the number of mods that can be active at the same time. After about 30+ active mods game will randomly loose paths to game files, tables and other sources regarding of what new mod was activated.
Save compatibility: Works with existing campaigns
Mod conflicts: Should be minimal – uses standard tables and vanilla textures
I have tested these units in custom battles and early campaign stages, but I have not run a full campaign with them yet. If something breaks or feels off, let me know and I will update the mod.
I made this mod because I wanted Roman legionaries in my armies. Not always as my main force but as "auxiliaries" of a conquered nation. This time its Rome. Maybe will do another unit of a different faction in the future.
Enjoy the legions. And remember: Rome was not built in a day, but it can fall in one with the help of a professional legionaries.
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