FRANKS

Strengths

• Good research capability
• Good cavalry and infantry

Weaknesses

• Economic reliance on having a pool of infantry to produce resources results in a lack of flexibility

With a preponderence set towards technology, research and resource-gathering, the United States is a faction that requires strong strategic flair to use. The United States shares some units with England and France, but in other areas it also has other units worth noting: a line of medium ranged and melee cavalry; a Marine unit that emerges two ages earlier than other factions'; as well as a slew differing units at differing ages. It is thus somewhat of a challenge using the United States, as one has to keep in mind that American strengths and weaknesses often shift this way and that way - but one can be assured that by the last two eras, the United States is an extremely strong military force.

Marines are the heart of the American war machine. With the ability to entrench themselves, the Marines will be useful for creating fortified positions which will be hard to beat without resorting to a flanking attack. Thus, they work well as a meat shield that can absorb plenty of damage until you can manoeuvre your medium cavalry and musketeers into position for a good attack.

Unlike all western factions, the USA has no access heavy cavalry variants, but this is very much offset by the fact that their cavalry, being medium cavalry, is highly versatile. Cuirassiers may be mighty but do not function well due to their speed and cost. Thus, when needed, mass as many medium cav units to swarm enemy cuirassiers, or break your cavalry units into individual groups for fast hammer-and-anvil strikes on unprotected targets, such as skirmishers and isolated line 

1. Kingdom of Frankia (Franks - Germanic and Frankish nation - Aggressive top tier faction.) (Considering the start of the mod and the timespan - I have found it best to just have a solo Frankish faction irregardless that during the Norse invasions of England for ex. they were split into East Frankia, West Frankia etc. This is a conglomeration of those two which would happen before our time period ends regardless) Leaders: King Charlemagne, King Ludwig the German, King Arnulf Best Unit: Chevalier (Heavy Cavalry), Paladin (Heavy Infantry), Strength: Field the finest cavalry in-game and strong heavy inf. Only faction to field Crossbowmen. Strongest mainland Europe faction, all around. Their General unit receives extra Craft. They field vassal states which supply them with things they need however their Kings generally distrust mercenary bands. Variety of mercenaries from across western Europe and the beginnings of east Europe. Weakness: Expensive units, their light troops are unreliable and although their archers are capable, they are not near as formidable as others. Client States: Saxony, (Germanic), Avars, Moravians, Serbs, Croats (Slavic - seems they were client states of Frankia according to historical maps) Papal States (Italian) (edited)

   
   

   
   

   
   
2. May 20, 2022
3. 

   Velvetclaw — 05/20/2022 11:08 AM

   Chevalier (Heavy Cavalry), Paladin (Heavy Infantry)?
4. [11:08 AM]H'm......
5. [11:08 AM]Intresting.
6. 

   Ubba Ragnarson — 05/20/2022 12:32 PM

   Very real, and unique units. I reckon the Paladin, basically the Emperor's guard be a heavy-hitting tank. Paladins were indeed originated from Frankia.
7. May 22, 2022
8. 

   Velvetclaw — 05/22/2022 11:38 AM

   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iml_j4NdsZ4

   
   

   YouTubeSomkiat KhitwongwattanaRock of Ages - Frankish Empire[Charlemagne]

   

   
   
9. [11:38 AM]I did not call them Chevaliers or Paladins.
10. [11:39 AM]For Project 666 I had the stock Scara axe cav from Rise of Kings: Chronicles.
11. [11:39 AM]I then added a stronger cav unit, the Scara Elite (a stronger lance cav unit) and then added a heavy infantryman, the foot Scara.
12. [11:40 AM]Compare the word Scar with the Norwegian hæren.
13. 

    Ubba Ragnarson — 05/22/2022 1:54 PM

    These could become included as well but palace units say, these UUs should be included. Was known the Paladin was a Carolingian unit. The chevalier is close enough to be included as their special Cav  I feel while also including the ones you mentioned
14. May 23, 2022
15. 

    Velvetclaw — 05/23/2022 11:21 AM

    Oh, I already have plans to include that as an upgrade.

    1

    
    
16. 

    Ubba Ragnarson — 05/23/2022 11:51 AM

    Kingdom of Frankia (Franks - Germanic and Frankish nation - Aggressive top tier faction.) (Considering the start of the mod and the timespan - I have found it best to just have a solo Frankish faction irregardless that during the Norse invasions of England for ex. they were split into East Frankia, West Frankia etc. This is a conglomeration of those two which would happen before our time period ends regardless) Leaders: King Charlemagne, King Ludwig the German, King Arnulf Best Unit: Chevalier (Heavy Cavalry), Paladin (Heavy Infantry), Strength: Field the finest cavalry in-game and strong heavy inf. Only faction to field Crossbowmen. Strongest mainland Europe faction, all around. Their General unit receives extra Craft. They field vassal states which supply them with things they need however their Kings generally distrust mercenary bands. Variety of mercenaries from across western Europe and the beginnings of east Europe. Weaknesses: More Expensive units than other factions. Their light troops are unreliable and although their archers are capable, they are not as formidable as others. With their vassals and client states they have little true weaknesses they cannot supplement with their allies' troops however. Especially early-game they are a force to be reckoned with in Europe, no doubt about this. Client States: Avars, Moravians, Croats (Slavic - seems they were client states of Frankia according to historical maps); Papal States (Italian units, and supply Greek troops from the neighboring Byzantine vassal of Napoli. As well as their POWERFUL religious units and Pontifex Custodes - The Pontiff's Royal Guardians. Elite Spearmen with both foot and mounted variants.) For the Franks, the Papal States was a great idea as they provide both able units and Italian mercenary units. Overall, the Franks are going to be tough for any weaker factions to deal with. (edited)
17. May 24, 2022
18. 

    Velvetclaw — 05/24/2022 8:40 AM

    Not sure how to include Papal States units. Only thing that comes to mind is bringing back the old Papal Legate unit from Chronicles, as a unique UU that trains from a Wonder.
19. [8:40 AM]Soooo......
20. [8:41 AM]Whoever gets to build a Grand Cathedral also gets to spawn in Papal Legates.
21. 

    Ubba Ragnarson — 05/24/2022 12:44 PM

    Frankia solely builds the Grand cathedral.
22. [12:45 PM]I'd like papacy units such as cardinals/bjshops
23. [12:45 PM]Bishops
24. [12:45 PM]There's alot that can be done here......not sure why it's a problem. To include them
25. [12:45 PM]?
26. May 25, 2022
27. 

    Ubba Ragnarson — 05/25/2022 12:42 AM

    Think about Bishop unit for ex. Some kind of special powers of healing plus maybe that and general power for cardinal? Throwing some ideas out there
28. [12:44 AM]Did you see my UU for the papacy itself? I assume if you had a full fledged papal States faction. Then something like what I mentioned or the pontifex custodes would work alright.
29. May 30, 2022
30. 

    Velvetclaw — 05/30/2022 2:11 PM

    will think about it but you need to get the faction powera ssignment down
31. [2:12 PM]It's the onle thing that is preventing u8s from rolling this out.
32. May 31, 2022
33. 

    Ubba Ragnarson — 05/31/2022 9:51 AM

    DM me on this plz
34. June 3, 2022
35. 

    Velvetclaw — 06/03/2022 12:13 AM

    Francia was depicted using either American or French bonuses. However, there too is  one that cannot be discounted: the Turks.
36. [12:13 AM]You will have to think it over.
37. June 12, 2022
38. 

    Ubba Ragnarson — 06/12/2022 1:18 PM

    (This description will be reformatted, given the realization Charlemagne was the first Caesar crowned from Rome by the Papacy for his decimation of the Germanic Lombards, and giving the Papal States territory, including the titular Roma itself.) Holy Roman Empire (Kingdom of Francia - Germanic and Frankish nation) Leaders: King Charlemagne, King Ludwig the German, King Arnulf Best Units: Chevalier (Heavy Cavalry), Paladin (Heavy Infantry), Strengths: Field the finest cavalry in-game and strong heavy inf. Only faction to field Crossbowmen. Strongest mainland Europe faction, all around. Their General unit receives extra Craft. They field vassal states which supply them with things they need however their Kings generally distrust mercenary bands. Variety of mercenaries from across western Europe and the beginnings of east Europe. Weaknesses: More Expensive units than other factions. Their light troops are unreliable and although their archers are capable, they are not as formidable as others. With their vassals and client states they have little true weaknesses they cannot supplement with their allies' troops however. Especially early-game they are a force to be reckoned with in Europe, no doubt about this. Client States: Papal States - The Papacy supply Francia with Italian units, and supply some Greek troops from the neighboring Byzantine vassal of Napoli. As well as their POWERFUL religious units and Pontifex Custodes - The Pontiff's Royal Guardians. Elite Spearmen with both foot and mounted variants. For the Franks' King Pippin (at that time), the Papal States was a great idea as they provide both able units and Italian mercenary units. Overall, the Franks are going to be tough for any weaker factions to deal with. (edited)
39. June 21, 2022
40. 

    Æthelflæd — 06/21/2022 3:41 PM

    @Velvetclaw What are your upgrade-related plans for the Chevalier n Paladin? I actually came up with those ideas cuz I always loved the latter actually existed n became so fantastical
41. June 22, 2022
42. @Æthelflæd

    @Velvetclaw What are your upgrade-related plans for the Chevalier n Paladin? I actually came up with those ideas cuz I always loved the latter actually existed n became so fantastical

    

    Ubba Ragnarson — 06/22/2022 8:59 AM

    Much has changed within the scope of the mod due to my lack of historical knowledge of the HRE's prominence this early and Charlemagne's total domination of the Lombards and coronation being crowned the first Holy Roman Emperor. (edited)
43. [8:59 AM]This faction was always getting re-formatted, not a big deal. And doesn't stop me from continuing to replace.
44. [9:00 AM]basically done, ran into that and read all about the fall of the lombards and existence of the holy roman empire, and the puppet state of the kingdom of italy thereafter. (edited)
45. 

    Ubba Ragnarson — 06/22/2022 11:05 AM

    The Holy Roman Empire - Sacrum Romanum Imperium (The Kingdom of Francia - Regnum Francorum) (Most still referred to the Carolingians as the Franks, or Francia, regardless of the Papacy's decree, and Constantinople laughed at the idea of a Germanic Roman Emperor ever proclaiming dominion over what they felt was rightfully theirs.) Historical context The Holy Roman Empire was formed in 800ce , when Pope Leo III crowned the King of Francia, Charlemagne, as Roman Emperor - not long after he allocated and formally created the Papal States, centered in Rome, as well as *decimated the Lombards and gave the Pontiff even more territory. The succeeding leaders in the Carolingian dynasty would go on to be crowned Holy Roman Emperor for the next ~100 years with some strife in Italy thereafter. Nonetheless, the HRE, by circa 950ce held dominion over the "Kingdom of Italy", former territory of the Lombards.  Past 900~ ce ,  The Kingdom of Germany  was another state under the dominion of the Kaiser, subjugating the eastern Germanic tribes forceably forming these peoples into a "kingdom" with much disdain and rebellion, and later, toward the end of our time span - the Duchy of Bohemia.  The Principality of Benevento - the remnants of the Lombards, were allowed to exist as a vassal state under the Kaiser... HRE would gain more dominion, later outside of our timespan. In the eyes of the Papacy, and Christian nations such as the Kingdoms in England - the Roman Empire was back. (edited)
46. 

    Ubba Ragnarson — 06/22/2022 12:32 PM

    865CE:  The Holy Roman Empire, in all but official designation by the Pope, still the Kingdom of Francia, with its wide dominion, and capabilities for vast armies serving under the remains of the Carolingian dynasty, could be the strongest nation - tied with Denmark throughout our time period. However, with Charlemagne's death - the dynasty is crumbling while those he subjugated seek their revenge. Francia still hold dominion over much of western Europe, and much of Italy aside from the territory of the Byzantines, and the Aghlabids - who held strong dominion over Sicily during our timespan. (edited)
47. [12:33 PM]The Holy Roman Empire - Sacrum Romanum Imperium - The Kingdom of Francia (Germanic/Frankish nation and culture, strong Roman Catholic ties as it was Pope Leo III crowned the first Emperor, Charlemagne.) Leaders: Emperor Ludwig the German, Emperor Charles the Fat, Emperor Louis II, Emperor Lothair I, Emperor Charles III, Emperor Otto the Great, Emperor Conrad II. Best Units: Chevalier (Heavy sword and shield cavalry),  Paladin (Heavy Infantry armed with a greatsword). These units are costly but effective at cutting down raiders and are commonly the vanguard of a well prepared army due to their high HP and armour. Enfants Perdus (Usually light spearmen/Javelineers)  - Lightly-armoured infantry used against the Feared Breton cavalry. Arbalétrier: This crossbowman is far better equipped and armoured than the standard crossbowmen - better armour, and faster shooting than their neighbors can weild. The Arbalétrier are those who had a heavy influence in defeating the Vikings during the Siege Of Paris.| Pontifex Custodes:  The Pontiff's Royal Platoon. Elite heavily armored spearmen with both foot and mounted variants. They also supply more powerful Priest units for the Empire. Nájazdový Bojovník: The Obotrites, a confederation of east-slavic tribes were invaluable to Francia as the Saxon Wars rage on, campaign after campaign, with the Saxon Confederation unwilling to give an inch and Normandy and Frisia all the same, reject Francia and so with the Nájazdový Bojovník - These men have seen the Rus' fight, and as such picked up some tactics as well as Axes , mixed with Swords. They are a scavenging peoples and Francia is more than welcome to work with them against Germania. (edited)

    
    

    
    

    
    
48. 

    Ubba Ragnarson — 06/22/2022 1:08 PM

    Allies/Client States: The Papal States: With the Papacy's dominion being overseen by Francia, the Pope has grown his power in Italy and continues to do so. The Papacy supply Francia with Italian units, and supply some Greek troops from the neighboring Byzantine vassal of Napoli. As well as their powerful religious armoured spearmen, the Pontifex Custodes - The Pontiff's Royal Guard. Elite heavily armored spearmen with both foot and mounted variants. They also supply more powerful Priest units for the Empire. The Kingdom of Italy: Established over the remnants of the Lombard Kingdom - the puppet state of Italy is one of which was ruled over with an iron fist by the Franks. They supply sturdy polearms for their Overlords, Pavise Crossbowmen, and their coffers depleted as needed. Pavise infantry are both faster on foot than the Franks' counterpart as they are less armored, and more importantly , access to Italian and Lombard mercenary units not seen elsewhere. Benevento:  The last remnants of the Lombards, they were allowed to retain their former vassal of Benevento ironically becoming one themselves. They supply armored Lombard (Germanic) units to the HRE, that can also be bought as mercenaries. The Duchy of Bohemia: Another of the HRE's many vassal states due to the scouring of the pagans, Bohemia has a puppet Duke in place of their true, former leader. Unfortunately there is naught they could do about it; the Saxons and their allies were too far at the time that the Franks subjugated them. Their poor farming villages are forced to supply crops as well as conscripted if ordered. Obotrites: The Obotrite confederation , were west Slavic tribes occupying parts of Germany and fighting alongside Francia in the Saxon Wars for decades. They are a client state of Francia, and thus , the Obotrite Confederation send Slavic units to the Franks, contributing to Charlemagne's campaign of wiping out the Saxon confederation. (edited)

    
    

    
    

    
    
49. July 15, 2022
50. 

    Ubba Ragnarson — 07/15/2022 11:19 AM

    Strengths: Field the finest cavalry in-game and strong heavy inf. Only faction to field such a strong crossbowman. Strongest mainland Europe faction, all around. Their General unit receives extra Craft. They field vassal states which supply them with things they need however their Kings generally distrust mercenary bands. Variety of mercenaries from across western Europe and the beginnings of east Europe. Weaknesses: More expensive units than other factions. Their light troops, beside the Enfants Perdus are unreliable. Although their archers are capable, they are not as formidable as others besides their proficient crossbowmen. With their vassals and client states however now rebelling and the Heirs of Charlemagne disputes causing turmoil within Francia - they have enemies all around them. Denmark continues to ravage their borders, as do the Magyars. The Normans, Friesians, and Saxons all look to seize this opportunity for freedom now that this Holy Roman Empire is splintered