Characteristic | Factions - Pontus TW: Rome II Guide

Last update: 11 May 2016

Starting position of Pontus is better than it may seem. From the very beginning you can attack in several directions and very quickly defeat neighbors controlling only one region. War with Cappadocia is perfect opportunity to enter the southern province and an alliance with Bithynia protects your from the west. Trapezos and Galatia are other easy targets to conquer.

Pontus army is a mix of eastern and Hellenic units. You'll find here hoplites and pikemen as well as horse skirmishers or scythed chariots. The wide range of available units allows you to be effective in battles with both armies of the east and west.

Starting bonuses

Pontus is one of eastern empires, so it has their specific bonuses:

• Great Marksmen: +1 experience rank for archer recruits
• Persian Trade Heritage: +10% wealth from all commerce buildings

In addition Pontus has two bonuses and one penalty:

• Barbarian Subduers: +10% morale during battles against barbarian tribes
• Philhellenes: Moderate diplomatic bonus with all Hellenic factions (cultural affinity)
• Forsaken Persian Origins: Major diplomatic penalty with all Eastern factions (cultural aversion)

The most important available units

Hillmen

Infantry extremely vulnerable to hits, with an excellent ability to penetrate armor.

Pontic swordsmen

Infantry used mainly to eliminate light enemy units and to support your army flanks. They are ideal combined with hoplites or pikemen.

Hoplites

Very well armored units with high melee defense. They are able to hold the front line until reinforcements arrive.

Bronze shield pikemen

Medium armored pikemen which are available for Pontus. As all units capable of making phalanx, they are effective in the center of your formation.

Pontic peltasts

Skirmishers harassing the enemy units. Due to the limited choice of projectile units, Pontus has to rely on peltasts or mercenaries.

Pontic royal cavalry

Heave Pontus cavalry, capable of breaking enemy heavy infantry ranks. It has excellent charge but doesn't cope well in longer fights.

Noble blood cavalry

Medium cavalry, capable of breaking ranks of enemy light cavalry and trampling enemy skirmishers. After completing these tasks you can use it to attack sides or back of the enemy formation.

Horse skirmishers

Cavalry with javelins. More effective and more difficult to entrap than foot peltasts.

Scythed chariots

Battle chariots used to destroy enemy light infantry units and to break heavy infantry ranks. Just like all machines, chariots are vulnerable to cavalry attacks.