(recent idea spawned by ChrisophU, further embraced with Latnox)
The Tempest of Antiquity!
https://www.warlight.net/SinglePlayer?TemplateID=725594Unlike some of the other challenge templates thus far, in this one you are not designated to play as one faction. Rather, it is your choice. Bear in mind, however, that each slot is not balanced with every other slot.
Major Powers (recommended to play as) - A (Roma), C (Carthago), F (Egypt), G (Seleucid Dynasty), J (Greece), M (Teutones)
Buffer Powers (Not Recommended) - B (Iberians), D (Numidians), E (Libyans), H (Pergamon), I (Pontic Kingdom), K (Dacians), L (Celts), N (Gauls), O (Interior Iberians)
Difficulty (Major Powers)
Easy - A, C, J, M
Hard - F, G
Difficulty (Buffer Powers)
Normal - B, D, K, N
Hard - E, O
Extremely Difficult - H, I, L
Personally, I recommend playing as Roma, Seleucid, Numidians and Interior Iberians just to get a feel of the template and get an idea of who you might like playing as.
You can turn the fog to normal, I left it at "Light" so I could keep an eye on the rest of the map.
Short Briefing on each Slot
A - Your smaller towns are undermanned, your northern border is weak and Carthage is poised to invade you. You must balance your campaigns and your defenses or you will easily crumble. It is imperative that you do not let Rome fall. The City of Roma is the backbone of everything.
B - The Iberians make for a tough game. You have the similarly strong Gauls to the north, the imperialistic Carthage at your Eastern border and Numidia to the South. However, the real struggle of your campaign is the Interior Iberians who will devastate your bonuses. Think outside of the box.
C - Carthage is very much a premier faction of the template. You have options and you are not stressed. Your heartland is very secure and distant from all but Rome. You can expand through Africa, and then you have the option of military effort focus, be it Rome, Hispania or the Greek World.
D - Numidia focuses on attrition warfare. Let Carthage beat up its stacks, then you move in with your full force and steamroll. From there, you can play like Carthage would.
E - To play Libya properly, you first need to survive the onslaught. You are packed into a corner, and Egypt will walk over you. Fight like a guerilla, and maybe you'll be strong enough to march on Greece.
F - Egypt is relatively easy. Your challenge will be the Seleucids. If you can handle the Seleucids, you can steamroll through Africa and Turkey.
G - The Seleucids have nowhere to go but Up. Just march on through Egypt and Turkey, then make your decision from there.
H - Pergamon is nigh near impossible to win as. In every aspect, Greece overpowers you. Seleucius himself laughs at you in his grave. Alexander would never acknowledge you. It would take a true military-man, somebody with determination and grit, to master this slot. Perhaps invade Pontus?
I - Pontic Kingdom is another hard slot. You only have 2 options : let Seleucids bash against your hastily-built stacks, or give up everything to flank into Pergamon.
J - Greece has options and initial power. You have many good starting options. Advance into Africa, hold up against Roma. Bash Pergamon, invade Balkans, hold up against Rome. Alternatively, try to invade Rome, and you will find yourself in a rough place. It's best to let everybody else smash Rome.
K - You have it easier than most. Just don't let yourself get hooked by the Teutones, and you'll find yourself at a sort of ease.
L - Yeah. No.
M - Have fun.
N - This can be a fun play. You can harass Rome, invade Carthage, or take over Hispania. Just watch out for the Teutones and the AI will play against each other till the end for you.
O - This is a slot I found very hard to play as. However if you think you can properly execute it, all the more power to you. Perhaps if you properly distributed your armies and made smart decisions 24/7, you won't get smashed.
