Total War: Rome II - Nervii (Belgian [Gaul-Germania]) Faction [Caesar in Gaul Campaign Pack]

Nervii


“Bravery, Austerity, Tradition”
A Celto-Germanic people, the Nervii were the most fierce – and fearless – of the Belgae tribes inhabiting northern Gaul, and renowned for their courage.

At the Battle of Sabis in 57BC, where their surprise attack almost defeated Caesar’s legions, they fought until only 500 of their original 60,000 warriors remained. Such bravery was at the heart of their culture, which was Spartan-like in both outlook and reputation. The Nervii would eschew all luxury, especially alcohol, which they perceived made the body and spirit weak. Instead, they pursued the traditions of their Celtic and Germanic origins, venerating the cult of the hero-warrior. As such, their kings and chieftains were chosen due to their martial prowess and wise leadership.
With such great emphasis placed on an individual’s skill and bravery in battle, the Nervii rarely used cavalry and missile weapons, apart from javelin-like lances. They instead favoured ambushes and lightning assaults to close quickly with their enemy and prove their mettle.
At the start of their campaign the Nervii have cordial ties to neighbouring tribes such as the Atrebates and Viromandui, as well as the wider Belgae tribal network stretching as far as Britannia. As such, they are in an excellent position to strengthen these bonds while moving deeper into Gaul. In fact, their fearsome reputation and skill in battle makes Nervii expansion further to the east or south highly probable…
Fearless warriors, the Nervii enjoy a boost to morale in friendly territories, and are also highly skilled ambushers. However, they lead an austere existence, resulting in lower industrial and commercial income than most.

Total War: Rome II - Galatia (Gaul-Asian Minor) Faction [Ceaser on Gaul Campaign Pack]

Galatia


“Raid, Focus, Dominate”

Celts of Gallic descent, the Galatians came to settle in and dominate areas of central Anatolia and Phrygia. Proud warriors, famed for their skill, loyalty, and ferocity in battle, they were highly prized as mercenaries throughout the Hellenistic world. It was 300 Galatian warriors that Julius Caesar gifted Cleopatra in 48BC as her bodyguard, such was their fearsome reputation.

Comprised of three tribes, the Tectosages, Tolistobogii, and Trocmi, the Galatians splintered off from Brennus’ Gauls during their invasion of Macedon and Greece in 279BC. Moving first through Thrace, they crossed the Bosporus into Asia Minor as allies of Nicomedes of Bithynia, in exchange for defeating his brother in their dynastic quarrel. After joining Nicomedes in a brief struggle against the expansionist Seleucids, they settled the area that would eventually become known as Galatia. The territory was divided between the three tribes, each maintaining its own capital and rule, but coming together in council at Drynemeton, a sacred grove of oaks situated southwest of Ancyra, the Tectosages’ capital. Leaving the indigenous Cappadocians relative control of their own lands in exchange for tithes, the Galatians became a military aristocracy. Much like the Spartans, this enabled them to focus on their martial skills. Fighting in the Celtic style, they made deadly use of swords, javelins, and oval shields.
Situated at the heart of Asia Minor, the Galatians have many choices before them. Extend their control over Cappadocia, or strike for the sea, through Pontus, Pergamon, or Bithynia and, with their position consolidated, sweep either east or west…
The Galatians are accomplished plunderers, gaining increased income from raiding and sacking, and their cultural affinity with Hellenic factions pays dividends at the diplomacy table. However, as a relatively isolated faction, they face heavier recruitment costs than most.

Total War: Rome II - Boii (Czechoslovakia faction) Faction [Ceaser on Gaul Campaign Pack]

Boii


“Earth, Pride, Herd”

A Celtic tribe, the Boii were fierce warriors and, at least originally, semi-nomadic herders. Their name itself derives from either the word for ‘warrior’ or ‘cow’, thus making them the ‘warrior people’ or ‘herding people’.
Although their exact origins remain unclear, by 390BC the Boii had taken part in the Celtic incursions into northern Italy. Moving south, over the Alps, they drove back the Etruscans and occupied their territory. At the same time, on the other side of the Alps, they also moved east, into modern day Eastern Germany and Bohemia, itself named for the tribe which settled there.
Leading a frugal lifestyle, Boii society was geared towards warfare and agriculture, their most prized commodities being gold and livestock. Status amongst their leaders was judged not only through military prowess, but the amount of cattle owned and retinue supported. Historically, the Boii allied with the other tribes of Cisalpine Gaul and the Etruscans against the rapidly-expanding Roman Republic. Defeated and driven back, in later years some of the tribe joined the Helvetii in the migration that sparked Caesar’s Gallic Wars, and later supported Vercingetorix at the Battle of Alesia.
In the east, their territories eventually fell to the Dacians. From their current central European position however, the Boii are well placed to strike south into either Italy or Greece, west into Gaul, or east against the Dacian tribes.
The Boii feel the urge to move and conquer, and as such, they enjoy a morale boost when in enemy territory. Accomplished farmers, they also benefit from greater income from agricultural buildings. However, their unique outlook and warlike nature mean they struggle to find common ground with other barbarian factions.

Playable factions on the Main Campaign by the Caesar in Gaul Campaign Pack

Reflecting Julius Caesar’s Gallic War from 58 to 51 BC, Caesar in Gaul takes place over a shorter timeframe than ROME II. We’ve therefore extended each year to 24 turns, and reintroduced seasons to the campaign game. As the turns tick by, each season can bring positive or negative effects to your game, and you’ll see some beautiful changes happening to the campaign map. This screenshot gives you a taster of just how atmospheric it can look.

Our upcoming Total War: ROME II Campaign Pack “Caesar in Gaul” introduces three new playable factions.
These factions are included in the Caesar in Gaul Campaign Pack, but are playable in the Main Campaign Game.

The Boii, a celtic tribe from Central Europe (Hercynia) and known for their military prowess, urge to move and conquer. As such, they enjoy a morale boost while being in enemy territories.

The Galatians, blending Gallic and Hellenistic culture, come with a unique starting position and are accomplished plunderers, they gain increased income from raiding and sacking.

The Nervii, fearless warriors, focus on ambush tactics and fast assaults to defeat their enemies in close combat. They also benefit from their network of friendly tribes and receive a morale boost on friendly territories. 

Caesar in Gaul Expansion Campaign Pack for Total War: ROME II

I've announced that is a brand new standalone campaign pack for Total War: ROME II - the Caesar in Gaul Campaign Pack - covering Julius Caesar’s war of expansion against the Gaulish tribes. Included will be a new campaign map, a greater focus on characters, compact focussed multiplayer design, new mid-game challenge mechanics and three new factions!

Description:
Caesar in Gaul is a standalone campaign pack for Total War: ROME II covering Julius Caesar’s war of expansion against the Gaulish tribes. Players can choose from four playable factions in this conflict: the Gallic Arverni, the Germanic Suebi, the Belgic Nervii and Rome, in a campaign inspired by Caesar’s Commentarii de bello Gallico (Commentaries on the Gallic war).
Offering a tighter scope in terms of time and geography than Rome II (58-51BC), the Caesar in Gaul Campaign Map is an expanded, more detailed vision of Gaul and the south coast of Britannia. Compared with ROME II’s map of Gaul, Caesar in Gaul contains more regions and provinces, more factions (both playable and non-playable), and a series of famous generals and statesmen from history which the player will employ or fight against depending on their chosen faction.
A war of great profit and glory for Caesar, this conflict made him extremely popular with the people of Rome… though less so with the senators, who saw him gathering power to himself in a series of events that ultimately lead to his ascension to Dictator! Caesar in Gaul differs from the core ROME II experience in a number of important ways:

1) New Campaign Map:
 The Caesar in Gaul campaign map is an enhanced, more detailed representation of Gaul, with players able to expand across 18 provinces dotted with resources, new settlements and new provincial capitals.

2) Greater focus on characters:
Many factions employ great generals and statesmen from history (for example, Rome fields Gaius Julius Caesar himself, Mark Anthony and others). Each of the four playable factions also has a faction leader who acts as the player’s avatar during the campaign.

3) 24 turns per year:
As Caesar in Gaul deals with a considerably shorter time-span (58-51BC) than the grand sweep of the ROME II campaign, each turn represents two weeks rather than a year. This means seasons make a return. The gameplay effects of these aren’t always predictable however, and may vary from province to province. A late autumn may bring a good harvest for example, but a long, dry summer may damage your food production.

4) Compact, focussed multiplayer campaign:
For those generals looking for a more rapid MP campaign game, Caesar in Gaul presents a series of interesting options. Due to the geographic scope and the opposing 48 factions, co-op or competitive 2-player campaigns are tighter, more focussed, and less time-consuming than a full Campaign.

5) New mid-game challenge mechanics:
For those players making it through to the mid-game, there will be new challenges to face as a more suitable replacement for the Civil Wars of ROME II. As a Gallic tribe, you’ll feel the mailed fist of Rome respond with heavy intervention forces, and as Rome, you’ll see the Gallic tribes rebelling and forming alliances against you.

6) New historical battle:
Caesar in Gaul adds the Battle of Alesia as a playable historical battle. Alesia marked the turning point of Caesar’s Gallic War, and resulted in the capture of Vercingetorix, who was later taken to Rome and executed at Caesar’s Triumph.

Set from Caesar’s perspective, Alesia tasks the player with maintaining the siege of Vercingetorix's Gallic stronghold. The battle begins with the Roman forces deployed within their own investment fortifications outside the hill-fort. The player must guide the Romans as they weather attacks from both a huge relief army and within the fort itself.
New Total War: ROME II full campaign playable factions: Alongside the factions playable within the new Campaign, Caesar in Gaul also adds three new playable factions to the main game; they are:

• Nervii (barbarian, Belgic)

The most fierce and powerful of the Belgic tribes, the Nervii are a melting pot of Celtic and Germanic heritage. Their unit roster reflects this mix of cultures, opening up the possibility of creating new, unique army compositions.

• Boii (barbarian, Gallic)

One of the largest of the Gallic tribes, the Boii occupied Cisalpine-Gaul, Pannonia, Bohemia and Transalpine Gaul. Their numbers make them a force to be reckoned with but they are somewhat disconnected from other the Gallic tribes geographically and are directly exposed to the ferocious Germanic clans and the Dacians.

• Galatians (barbarian, Anatolia)

The Gauls of the East, the Galatians migrated to Asia Minor following the Celtic invasion of the Balkans. They arrived through Thracia at around 270 BC, led by generals Lotarios & Leonnorios. As Celts deep within Hellenic territory and factions hostile towards them, the Galatians offer interesting and challenging new gameplay.

Edited to add: Total War: Rome 2: Caesar in Gaul is out December 12th 2013 for $14.99/£9.99/€14.99.

Total War: Rome II - Baktria Faction (Coming Soon)

Baktria


“Profit, pride, expansion”
Baktria was a gateway to trade between east and west, to India, and to the far-off lands of China. It lay in what is modern-day Afghanistan, and Kandahar itself was founded by Alexander the Great.
As a protectorate of the Seleucid Empire, Baktria was famed as a province of a thousand cities. It was wealthy thanks to those trade routes and the rich agricultural lands of its fertile valleys and plains. The land was a home to Greek colonists, Persians and many more peoples, and was a part of Alexander’s vast empire. Roxana, Alexander’s wife and the mother of his nominal heir who was born after his death, was a Baktrian princess.
In the confusion of wars that followed Alexander’s death, Seleucus I Nicator established his control over the eastern parts of Alexander’s empire, including Baktria. The region was heavily colonised by Greek settlers, more so than any other part of the east, and was largely Hellenised as a result, with Greek culture and influence paramount in all things. As such, Baktria’s armed forces brought a rich and varied blend of warriors to the field, with hoplites, peltasts and fierce swordsmen rubbing shoulders with Galatian legionaries and Gallic hunters.
With the Seleucid Empire locked in a series of wars against the other Successor states, Baktria was a satrapy with a degree of independence. During the rule of Diodotus, and sometime between the Second and Third Syrian Wars of the 3rd century BC, it became an entirely independent Hellenistic kingdom. Under their new kings, the Baktrians could be a vigorous military power, benefiting hugely from any breakdown in Seleucid authority and inattention from Parthia. Immense wealth, and tough warriors, could take their armies all the way to the shores of the Mediterranean…
As veterans of the Successor Wars, Hellenic states hold few surprises in battle for the warriors of Baktria. As a result, the Baktrian soldiery faces Hellenic armies with great confidence and courage. Well-situated for trade, they enjoy enhanced commercial and industrial income, and with their popular Hellenic outlook, they find it easier to spread cultural influence with others. However, the edge of the Great Steppe is a troublesome place for a Hellenic culture to settle; Baktria finds it difficult to curry favour with the aggressive nomad tribes.