However, if you have a large empire, fighting major wars on two (or more) fronts with several armies, then a unit which is almost as effective with cheaper unpkeep can be worth using. Recruiting one Scythian Hoplite instead of one Holite makes very little difference, I admit. The upkeep for Scythian Hoplites is slightly less. wreck everything and every one in campaign, 11. With them bring few 1/3 spears 1/3 archers and 1/3 horse archers. If you're expanding against (some) eastern factions, ordinary hoplites are overkill against units such as Young Axes and Persian Hoplites. Cimmeria has the best Archers in game, They carry spears so they can wreck a cav charge, Do 40 dmg, have 150 range and lots of armor. I had that reaction to Steppe Hoplites (I think they're called Scythian Hoplites) too. A government arsenal at Terni 50 miles north of Rome was turning out rifles.
![total war rome 2 best ranged faction total war rome 2 best ranged faction](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/EXN_keEq10w/maxresdefault.jpg)
I never understood why their Steppe Hoplites were from a Tier 4 building while their Greek Hoplite which if I remember is on par if not better armour and defense wise from a tier 1 building. war that obviously was already too big for Mussolini's vainglorious britches. Parthia has some good archers but theyre not as heavily armoured as Seleucids and if youre using them for cavalry archers youre better off going a Nomad faction, Messagatae in fact since in campaign they can get a decent economy and have cataphract horse archers. Although their regular infantry are a bit meh. Iberian factions get really good slingers but thats it. Persons in the Standby include those who have had considerable military service. their mechanic is about occupying roman territory and you start. all - out war or grave national emer- gency declared by Congress.
![total war rome 2 best ranged faction total war rome 2 best ranged faction](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/FHakCKhwhk8/maxresdefault.jpg)
Can be hired as mercs by everyone with access to Hellas and as auxiliaries by Rome (in Hellas). In terms of raw damage output, the best I know of are Cretan Archers.
![total war rome 2 best ranged faction total war rome 2 best ranged faction](https://media.moddb.com/images/mods/1/29/28343/2015-11-02_00060.jpg)
They also have some nomad units (meaning horse archers) and a great starting pos Oh yeah I forgot about them! Yeah their archers are on par with Seleucids. id also recommend the Burgundians, they have a cool faction trait that means they can stay in the north forever, and they have the best cav in the game: Burgundian Mounted Axemen in diamond formation. Parthians have a great range of Archers from the very beginning or either Averni or Suebi. Originally posted by DKADIZ:Cimmeria has also good archers if not the best.