I am to believe that the Urban Cohort from Rome 1 need at least a mention They are (at least in the game) the early knights of the world, heavily armored and elite, they just apply fear in hand to hand combat, and they just look awesome, ESPECIALLY the Julii version
A Medieval 2 unit that doesn't get enough love: Hand Gunners Their firearms have short range, but pierce armor and scare the enemy (if hand gunners can get 1 or 2 volleys off, enemy melee units will be close to breaking by the time they get close). Their armor and melee stats are also on par with feudal knights, they just lack a shield. Come mid to late game, recruit a bunch of them to serve as your front line. They are also available to most factions in Vanilla.
I though of it, and Roman Juli legionaries definitely deserve a spot! But I thought of reserving certain units for a much later, another somehow related video ;)
Attila is such a masterpiece. I just wish we would've gotten more campaigns like the ones they spammed Rome 2 with. I have no idea what they're releasing these days but it doesn't hit nowhere near as good.
It's good to get a perspective over several titles actually. Some artillery should get a mention. Who's never waited for their onagers/ 12 pounders to expand their ammo on the AI line before sending the boyz in?
My top ten units? 1) Old Guard 2) Sassanid Cataphracts 3) Pratoerian Cohort 4) Swiss Infantry 5) French Howitzer 6) Grand Battery of the Convention 7) Archduke Charles Legion 8) Ashigaru Spears 9) Elite Companion Pikemen 10) Seleucid Silver Shields As a bonus: 1) Any British man of war ship 2) The Trinidad 3) Austrian heavy cav 4) Russian Household Cavarly 5) Cossacks 6) Any of Napoleons elite heavy cav
@9:42 Uh, wtf are you talking about? The main weapon of medieval knights were lances. Some times they used shorter lances, but it isn't at all unheard of for extremely long lances to be used, especially in the late medieval period.
@@AndysTake The term 'sarissa' refers to pikes used by infantry, not lances called 'xyston' or later 'kontos'/'nēzak' used by cataphactoi/grivpanvar respectively. In English the term 'lance' exclusively refers to a cavalry weapon whereas pike is for infantry. This isn't necessarily the case with, for example French or Russian where lance and pike have a more fluid use, but in the case of Ancient Greek, 'sarissa' was exclusively used to describe the weapon used by the phalangeties(pikemen) to distinguish it from the shorter 'dory'(spear) used by hoplites/hypaspists in the Hellenic infantry corps. Other than the length the only real difference between a dory and sarissa besides the length, was that the sarissa could be disassembled into two pieces for transport and that the 'sauroter' on the butt of the spear was heavier to serve as a better counterweight for the phalangite. The 'xyston' was shorter than a 'sarissa' by about a meter or so and used by shock cavalry. Rome II unfortunately misuses the term 'sarissa' in reference to some of the light shock cavalry in the Hellenic rosters(it really should be xyston, or kontos for the Atilla time period. The term 'lance' is inclusive to any type of cavalry spear that is brace during the charge. The main difference between the lances used by earlier cataphracts and later medieval heavy cavalry(including late Byzantine cataphracts) was the technique of using the lance, with earlier sources showing two hands bracing the lance on the charge(like we see correctly in Rome II) and later cavalry using only one hand while couching the bottom end under the armpit, in some cases with the assistance of an arrêt de cuirasse or lance rest/stop. Cavalry spears during the middles ages are described in period combat manuals in both long and short variations but we do see them in some cases being as long as the earlier xyston used by the Hellenic armies. Shorter lances of the medieval period were just regular spears used in the couched position and were more maneuverable but in some cases the extra length of a heavier, longer lance was preferred to outreach the enemy where maneuver and dexterity was deemed less important.
I would include Sassanid Cataphract Archers from Rome TW. They were insanely good. i still remember how i recruited an army of them and just decimated everything with hardly any losses.
I love the footgae you used. You really went the extra mile to record excellent footage of them with the best graphics and shaders. Well done. Subscribed!
Gotta love the Urban Cohorts from Rome I and the Imperial Clibanarii legionaries from Rome II. Also always loved the Byzantine Empire's units, the Latinkon and Lamellar wearing Byzantine Guard archers in Medieval II.
The best Med 2 archer unit is the Dismounted Dvor, they’re Boyar Sons, who have good melee stats, shield, good armour with armour piercing weapons, with bows. And their bow stat is one of the best in the game. They’re amped up Ottoman Infantry and they’re amazing.
My list: Carthaginian sacred band from Rome 1, French lancers from medieval 2, Prussian superior line infantry from empire, sword myrmidons from Troy, armoured legio from Attila, oathsworn from Rome 2, Date no-dachi samurai from shogun 2, Dyflin berserkers from Thrones.
A couple of my personal favorites. -Berserkers (RTW). I just love how large and ferocious they are. you immediatly understand what they are about as soon as they enter the field. -Armored Hoplites (RTW) Absolute irrefutable badasses. who doesnt love classical corinthian helmets. -Cataphracts (RTW) the closest thing to early knights. from ass to asscheek clad in heavy plate armor on a heavily armored horse, glistening as they charge across the field like a brick of silver. -Broken lances (M2TW) weak as shit, but absolutely gorgeous armor. wish they were more useful. -Dvor (M2TW) sort of similar vibe as the cataphracts from RTW, being these heavily armored units that wear chainmail instead of plate. -Jaguar warriors (M2TW;Kingdoms) the coolest warrior furries there has ever been.
For me, it was the Desert Tribesmen in Attila. Initially, I looked down on them. It's just a below average unit. But when playing the Empires of Sand factions, it was so hard. I had no money so I gave them a chance. Then I found out that Empires of Sand factions have a faction trail Scourge of the Desert: +15 melee attack during desert battles. It turns a crappy unit into a killing machine. I swim through the early game with ease. Sure when I expand beyond desert regions, they go back to their crappy place. But the late game is just money beat all so it doesn't matter anymore.
Are any more of the narrative themed campaign videos you did a few months ago in the works? Also, glad I'm not the only one that loves the look of the Takeda. I was playing the morning sun mod for Shogun 2 and was disappointed to see the Takeda weren't playable
I'd definitely have Shogun 2's Tercos on there, both for how OP they are and how dapper they look in their cuirrassed and mustached glory. The ultimate tall campaign, staying as an underdog the whole game, before negotiating with the Portuguese and unleashing a wall of 20-Tercos armies, marching the whole length of Japan, crushing armies and letting a 20 stack of rocket units to wipe out garrisons. Bringing modernity to Japan one province at a time.
Scots Guard would get obliterated by half of the missle units in Medieval II 💀 Unless you made this ranking SOLELY based on looks? In which case I would agree
In SS is the most beautiful units. Do you remember Total War Centar? Web page with mods for Total War. My favorite was Europa Barbarorum. I still know to play that game and SS. It was the golden age of Total War. I did play Warhammer 2 and it is a good game, but it is fantasy and can not capture a feeling of the real world and that historical map of Europe where you build your kingdom of empire. In one of your videos, you were talking about Total War Empire. I agree with you, it is one of the best games and is completely underrated by the community.
For me in a empire total war campaign the Dutch Fluyt is the absolute saviour of early campaigns, brings in a ton of money trading and can actualy pack a punch early game unlike the indiaman
I would have featured the Greek Fire Throwers from Med 2 Kingdoms, because medieval flamethrowers are just too awesome not to mention. Amazing in defensive sieges, too. Also Gothic Knights from vanilla Med 2. Absolute trash in battle, but they just look *so cool!*
Medieval 2 - Dismounted Dvor with Bows ; i've stopped the HRE and Mongol Invasions with mass armies of dismounted dvor with bows, the fact that they have armor piercing AND a shield AND a bow, makes them one of, if not the most, versatile dismounted units in the entire game (i might even argue on par with venetian guard in how effective they are) Shogun 2 - Ninjas ; literally one of the best implemented units ever, how they're used, how effective they can be, the bombs they use being epic in siege battles against masses. S-tier unit, S+-tier unit, incredible, magnificent.
I would have put the ERE Clibanarii instead of the Hellenic cataphracts. And where is my Guard grenadiers from Poland Lithuania, unfortunately just 1 unit but dang they look amazing.
It would be kinda cheating to the number 1 spot belongs to the Iron Crown Healbardiers from DaC but even then there the Long Yari Ashigaru how should take the it for historical non moded list.
I am to believe that the Urban Cohort from Rome 1 need at least a mention
They are (at least in the game) the early knights of the world, heavily armored and elite, they just apply fear in hand to hand combat, and they just look awesome, ESPECIALLY the Julii version
Absolutely. Can you believe I kind of… got brain damage and that’s why didn’t include them?
Spartans and german berserks are total savages in first Rome
And PAJAMAS
15:23 More than 17 years and Medieval 2 still looks awesome.
You could easily do a top ten uniforms for Napoleon Total War. There are so many unique and beautiful uniforms for every faction.
Very true :)
Highland Foot number one!
Would be cool if CA knew how many deaths there have been in total across all their games and all the wars we have raged 😅
That would be a crazy metric!
Exactly 6 million
@@PoddyPeaPea400k due to famine you mean?
oh that would be insane!
@@PoddyPeaPeaAre You sure it's 6 million? The best that I got was 300k+
A Medieval 2 unit that doesn't get enough love: Hand Gunners
Their firearms have short range, but pierce armor and scare the enemy (if hand gunners can get 1 or 2 volleys off, enemy melee units will be close to breaking by the time they get close). Their armor and melee stats are also on par with feudal knights, they just lack a shield.
Come mid to late game, recruit a bunch of them to serve as your front line. They are also available to most factions in Vanilla.
We all know Norwegian ski infantry is the best unit
Damn right
100% certified fresh opinion
@@AndysTakeit aint an opinion, its undeniable fact
Indisputable!
They don’t even use skis
Need I say more
You are the only person to have played Shogun 2 and rate Katana samurai over Yari ashigaru
And I plan to stay that way
Katana samurai can cause mass routs on legendary difficulty. Charges in Shogun 2 are suprisingly powerful.
I always Rush Nodachi for that@@Klongu_Da_Bongu
12:50 FotS Warrior-class ironclad: am I a joke to you?
I'm surprised Gothic Knights also didn't get a mention.
I could've mentioned a bunch. Perhaps I could do another list down the line!
I’d swap the Fusiliers for the Old Guard and also would have to put Roman Julii legionaries on here somewhere! But good list
I though of it, and Roman Juli legionaries definitely deserve a spot! But I thought of reserving certain units for a much later, another somehow related video ;)
I think it’s just to expensive
11:11 I love how, unlike the peasant ashigaru units, the samurai have such an arrogant and swaggering gait!
lol yeah they're TRULY confident before entering the fray haha
How did the hastati or legionary cohort from rtw not make this list, they literally level the map with waves of pilla
We all know that the classic “Peasant” unit is the best!
Ah for sure
Highland Rabble FTW
Yari Ashigura easy number 1
Attila is such a masterpiece. I just wish we would've gotten more campaigns like the ones they spammed Rome 2 with. I have no idea what they're releasing these days but it doesn't hit nowhere near as good.
The most objective tierlist of all time. Awesome vid Andy
Appreciate it, Jack 🙏
always had a personal soft spot for RTW parthian cataphracts which i would have personally included
You should rank the top unit and faction of every total war, your opinion is the truth spoken by the gods
Damn sounds like a challenge to be sure, but a welcome one
It's good to get a perspective over several titles actually. Some artillery should get a mention. Who's never waited for their onagers/ 12 pounders to expand their ammo on the AI line before sending the boyz in?
No Spet Xyon tanks? The most ridiculously op unit in TW history 😅
My top ten units?
1) Old Guard
2) Sassanid Cataphracts
3) Pratoerian Cohort
4) Swiss Infantry
5) French Howitzer
6) Grand Battery of the Convention
7) Archduke Charles Legion
8) Ashigaru Spears
9) Elite Companion Pikemen
10) Seleucid Silver Shields
As a bonus:
1) Any British man of war ship
2) The Trinidad
3) Austrian heavy cav
4) Russian Household Cavarly
5) Cossacks
6) Any of Napoleons elite heavy cav
An elite list!
@@AndysTake chads of the chads
and Ottoman Siphai cav!
@9:42 Uh, wtf are you talking about? The main weapon of medieval knights were lances. Some times they used shorter lances, but it isn't at all unheard of for extremely long lances to be used, especially in the late medieval period.
I was referring to the sarissa spears (if my memory serves), which are very different from the lances of medieval knights
@@AndysTake The term 'sarissa' refers to pikes used by infantry, not lances called 'xyston' or later 'kontos'/'nēzak' used by cataphactoi/grivpanvar respectively. In English the term 'lance' exclusively refers to a cavalry weapon whereas pike is for infantry. This isn't necessarily the case with, for example French or Russian where lance and pike have a more fluid use, but in the case of Ancient Greek, 'sarissa' was exclusively used to describe the weapon used by the phalangeties(pikemen) to distinguish it from the shorter 'dory'(spear) used by hoplites/hypaspists in the Hellenic infantry corps. Other than the length the only real difference between a dory and sarissa besides the length, was that the sarissa could be disassembled into two pieces for transport and that the 'sauroter' on the butt of the spear was heavier to serve as a better counterweight for the phalangite. The 'xyston' was shorter than a 'sarissa' by about a meter or so and used by shock cavalry. Rome II unfortunately misuses the term 'sarissa' in reference to some of the light shock cavalry in the Hellenic rosters(it really should be xyston, or kontos for the Atilla time period. The term 'lance' is inclusive to any type of cavalry spear that is brace during the charge. The main difference between the lances used by earlier cataphracts and later medieval heavy cavalry(including late Byzantine cataphracts) was the technique of using the lance, with earlier sources showing two hands bracing the lance on the charge(like we see correctly in Rome II) and later cavalry using only one hand while couching the bottom end under the armpit, in some cases with the assistance of an arrêt de cuirasse or lance rest/stop. Cavalry spears during the middles ages are described in period combat manuals in both long and short variations but we do see them in some cases being as long as the earlier xyston used by the Hellenic armies. Shorter lances of the medieval period were just regular spears used in the couched position and were more maneuverable but in some cases the extra length of a heavier, longer lance was preferred to outreach the enemy where maneuver and dexterity was deemed less important.
I would include Sassanid Cataphract Archers from Rome TW. They were insanely good. i still remember how i recruited an army of them and just decimated everything with hardly any losses.
I love the footgae you used. You really went the extra mile to record excellent footage of them with the best graphics and shaders. Well done. Subscribed!
Surprised Urban Cohort from Rome 1 didn't make the list they absolutely dominated everything
They're amazing. I wanna see what I can do with them in another video down the line, for now they just feel a bit too familiar for whatever reason
Gotta love the Urban Cohorts from Rome I and the Imperial Clibanarii legionaries from Rome II. Also always loved the Byzantine Empire's units, the Latinkon and Lamellar wearing Byzantine Guard archers in Medieval II.
Andy I love the Napoleon shot at the beginning I wonder why my Napoleon is never like that
Thank you, Medjay! :D
@@AndysTake :)
Hakkapeliitta (ETW) for the name alone lol and a 17th century cavalry unit with plate armor in the 18th century
The best Med 2 archer unit is the Dismounted Dvor, they’re Boyar Sons, who have good melee stats, shield, good armour with armour piercing weapons, with bows. And their bow stat is one of the best in the game. They’re amped up Ottoman Infantry and they’re amazing.
My list: Carthaginian sacred band from Rome 1, French lancers from medieval 2, Prussian superior line infantry from empire, sword myrmidons from Troy, armoured legio from Attila, oathsworn from Rome 2, Date no-dachi samurai from shogun 2, Dyflin berserkers from Thrones.
A couple of my personal favorites.
-Berserkers (RTW).
I just love how large and ferocious they are. you immediatly understand what they are about as soon as they enter the field.
-Armored Hoplites (RTW)
Absolute irrefutable badasses. who doesnt love classical corinthian helmets.
-Cataphracts (RTW)
the closest thing to early knights. from ass to asscheek clad in heavy plate armor on a heavily armored horse, glistening as they charge across the field like a brick of silver.
-Broken lances (M2TW)
weak as shit, but absolutely gorgeous armor. wish they were more useful.
-Dvor (M2TW)
sort of similar vibe as the cataphracts from RTW, being these heavily armored units that wear chainmail instead of plate.
-Jaguar warriors (M2TW;Kingdoms)
the coolest warrior furries there has ever been.
I allways loved the occidental Generals Bodyguard units in Medieval 2. It's good looking, unique per faction and usefull !
Ils sont ultra OP tu peux détruire des armées complètes avec deux unités
didnt realize the old games like medival look soo good
For me, it was the Desert Tribesmen in Attila. Initially, I looked down on them. It's just a below average unit. But when playing the Empires of Sand factions, it was so hard. I had no money so I gave them a chance. Then I found out that Empires of Sand factions have a faction trail Scourge of the Desert: +15 melee attack during desert battles. It turns a crappy unit into a killing machine. I swim through the early game with ease.
Sure when I expand beyond desert regions, they go back to their crappy place. But the late game is just money beat all so it doesn't matter anymore.
Winged Hussars in the corner of the room, waiting silently for their turn: 🙁
the holy roman empire is the funest to play for the insane general rants
I am REALLY surprised RTW Hastati did not make the list.
I fricking love Roman units, but... I don't know. Somehow they didn't make it. I might have brain damage.
Best looking unit : Parthian Purple Pajamas !
You know there is nothing to argue about here.
Are any more of the narrative themed campaign videos you did a few months ago in the works? Also, glad I'm not the only one that loves the look of the Takeda. I was playing the morning sun mod for Shogun 2 and was disappointed to see the Takeda weren't playable
yes they are ;)
I definitely missed the praetorian guard and armored war elephants.
I miss old total war 😢
You and me both :’(
I'd definitely have Shogun 2's Tercos on there, both for how OP they are and how dapper they look in their cuirrassed and mustached glory.
The ultimate tall campaign, staying as an underdog the whole game, before negotiating with the Portuguese and unleashing a wall of 20-Tercos armies, marching the whole length of Japan, crushing armies and letting a 20 stack of rocket units to wipe out garrisons.
Bringing modernity to Japan one province at a time.
Sounds like a plan!
Scots Guard would get obliterated by half of the missle units in Medieval II 💀
Unless you made this ranking SOLELY based on looks? In which case I would agree
Try mode for Medieval 2, Stanley's Steel.
You will love units there.
And mechanic.
I've been playing Stainless Steel for 16 years :)
In SS is the most beautiful units.
Do you remember Total War Centar?
Web page with mods for Total War.
My favorite was Europa Barbarorum.
I still know to play that game and SS.
It was the golden age of Total War.
I did play Warhammer 2 and it is a good game, but it is fantasy and can not capture a feeling of the real world and that historical map of Europe where you build your kingdom of empire.
In one of your videos, you were talking about Total War Empire.
I agree with you, it is one of the best games and is completely underrated by the community.
For me in a empire total war campaign the Dutch Fluyt is the absolute saviour of early campaigns, brings in a ton of money trading and can actualy pack a punch early game unlike the indiaman
I would have featured the Greek Fire Throwers from Med 2 Kingdoms, because medieval flamethrowers are just too awesome not to mention. Amazing in defensive sieges, too.
Also Gothic Knights from vanilla Med 2. Absolute trash in battle, but they just look *so cool!*
3:00 damn that looks amazing. What did you do to make Medieval 2 look this good lol
You'll find out next week ;)
Gold shield and sword war elephants -selucid empire, RTW
The comitatensis spearmen from total war atilla deserved an honorable mention at least
Proceeds to show the ottoman organ guns missing every shot.
When the shadow of change dlc releases can we have a Michael Rosen rates the total war warhammer series base game, dlc and flc please
Upgraded Feudal Knights with Swords? No problem but with Blunt Weapons? Oh we dead
Can’t believe you didn’t choose the old guard
09:45 cries in parthian super heavy shock cav
Holy crap you did a reference to the Barbie movie yeah I'm subscribing
Glad I was Kenough for you 🙏
Great video but you missed the best unit by far - Warrior Monks from Shogun 1. An unstoppable force.
Think one of my moste belo
ved units must be Noble Pikemen from the Highlands of Scotland!
Medieval 2 - Dismounted Dvor with Bows ; i've stopped the HRE and Mongol Invasions with mass armies of dismounted dvor with bows, the fact that they have armor piercing AND a shield AND a bow, makes them one of, if not the most, versatile dismounted units in the entire game (i might even argue on par with venetian guard in how effective they are)
Shogun 2 - Ninjas ; literally one of the best implemented units ever, how they're used, how effective they can be, the bombs they use being epic in siege battles against masses. S-tier unit, S+-tier unit, incredible, magnificent.
I always really liked the Vardatoi from the byzantines
Oh mah gawd! Is there a pirate campaign mod for empire made jet!?
Armored Legionaries are the GOAT be forreal
For sure, I just think they’ve become a bit too familiar for me!
@@AndysTake no doubt. Great vids left u a sub and like
i only play as ottoman in empire and napoleon, the best geographical area, the best and most unique uniforms, and a lot of other stuff
The Holy Roman Empire is the winner? Well, as a German I can say: Für den Kaiser!
bro HOW did the armoured legionaries from tw rome 2 not make it in this hahahahha
You forgot about Urban Cohort from RTW
I would have put the ERE Clibanarii instead of the Hellenic cataphracts. And where is my Guard grenadiers from Poland Lithuania, unfortunately just 1 unit but dang they look amazing.
Ashigaru in Yari wall actually feels like cheating
the most awesome ship in the total wars is definitely the la Santísima Trinidad from the spanish in napoleon. also the most unique in my opinion.
Shimazu katana is by far the best.
Armored legionaries from Rome 2
Definitely up there!
Yari Ashigaru are the best unit. They can hold off anything in melee when in a Yari wall
But what about rattling guns
should have put the ritterbruder with their armor upgrades
How come no warhammer units?
Bro how did no roman legionary units get featured
I mean, Elephants are insane
What about the OP Rome Total War berserkers?
Where are the Chad Militia Hoplites from Rome 1?
in our hearts?
Is there not a Spanish 144 gun ship of the line that out plays Frances 122......
why not legioners ?
A bit too familiar to me by now, and also, I’m waiting for Rome 3 to put them on the list ;)
Where are MY GOTHIC KNIGTH!?!!!!!😁
They are cool indeed, but I felt like they could've looked EVEN cooler!
Spet xion horse archers for the white huns are the best
If CA wouldnt be so damn stupid, and bring back Medieval 2 feature "upgraded unit=upgraded visuals", Total War serie could be saved
#1 ogre bulls
#2 ogre bulls dual weapons
#3 iron guts
Berserkers and scythe chariots from Rome 1
Parthian pink pyjamas sparabara spearmen number one!
Is rome 2 woth playing in this day and age?
make pt 2
No winged hussaes. I'm disappointed
Sabean Camel Cataphracts:
It would be kinda cheating to the number 1 spot belongs to the Iron Crown Healbardiers from DaC but even then there the Long Yari Ashigaru how should take the it for historical non moded list.
0:14 well when you put it that way :/
No Eastern Infantry? They're clearly the best unit Rome 1 has to offer.
Saka Cataphracts > Parthian Royal Catapharcts > 3K Han Catapharacts > Hellenic Cataphracts
When the French have a better Scottish bow unit than the Scots. RIP
varangian guard???? where my vikings at lmao
Is it just me or is he using some kind of shader for medieval 2?
He might be… he might just reveal his secrets next week
No unit is better than the nanban trade ship in Shogun 2
I love bucellari 😍😍😍😍
If the pigs on fire aren’t number 1 this list is f tier
it was always f tier my friend - f for fun
@@AndysTake you know it
No flaming pigs? Shamefrul dispray.
Do you use 1440p or 1080p
4K
@@AndysTake omg 4k on total war is insane , with what GPU ? !!! I remember you had RTX 3070 ti mobile
Where Berserker?