Your Army

Discover the best army compositions and formations for Total War: Rome II. Learn effective strategies for infantry, cavalry, and missile units to dominate the battlefield.

The most effective army composition in Total War: Rome II, according to this guide, consists of four Cavalry units, four Missile units, your General, and the remainder as Infantry. This forms a "basic" dominant army that can be adjusted to suit your playstyle.

Basic Pre-Battle Formation:

This formation places Infantry in the center to protect Missile Units and the General, with Cavalry positioned on the flanks ready to engage. The close proximity of Missile Units and the General to the Infantry is crucial to prevent friendly fire and maintain morale. This formation is considered solid for most situations.

Exaggerated Pre-Battle Formation:

An alternative formation where Cavalry is positioned further out on the flanks. This allows for easier attacks on enemy flanks and missile units. While it exposes your own flanks, it enables Cavalry to intercept enemy Cavalry and gives your Infantry time to form up. This strategy is more effective with a larger number of Cavalry units.

Pre-Battle Execution:

In battle, Infantry engages the enemy directly, Missile Units provide ranged support from behind, and Cavalry attacks from the sides. If enemy Cavalry engages your flanks, you can use an Infantry unit, your General, or an additional Triarii unit to counter them.

Missile Formation:

When anticipating an enemy advance, this formation positions Missile Units to fire freely at the approaching enemy, with the General at the front for inspiration. Missile Units can be set to Skirmisher mode to retreat or controlled manually. Infantry should be placed in front of the General.

Flank Attacking:

This strategy involves using Cavalry to charge into the flanks of enemy Infantry. The key is to keep your own Infantry engaged with the enemy's to prevent them from interfering. Repeated charges with Cavalry can exploit their charge bonuses.

Pincer Strategy:

This involves attacking the enemy from both sides simultaneously, often with Cavalry flanking Infantry. This can cause an immediate rout. It's effective for fast-moving units or stationary Infantry, as it restricts their movement.

Elephants:

Elephants are designed to break through enemy lines. They can be used to charge directly into formations and potentially engage enemy archers afterward.

Cavalry Archer Strategy:

Cavalry Archers can attack from both sides of enemy Infantry to avoid blocking their own units. Their ability to fire while moving allows for hit-and-run tactics. This strategy is particularly useful for factions with Mounted Archers, as they can harass and draw enemy attention while other units attack from the rear.