: Infantry that throw heavy axes before charging, capable of shattering shields and morale quickly.

Victory in this era requires mastering completely new army rosters. Forces are divided between crumbling Roman superpowers and migratory barbarian hordes.

: Some light units have the ability to swim across rivers, allowing for flanking maneuvers during bridge battles that were impossible in the original game. Standout and "Hidden" Units

Every faction boasts its own unique and elite units that define its identity and tactics. The table below highlights some of the most iconic.

Elite armored cavalry that combine the punch of a cataphract charge with the utility of a bow.

Factions like the Huns and the Vandals introduce the devastating . When their last settlement is lost, the entire faction hits the road as a massive migrating army. Their unit rosters heavily favor speed, mobility, and missile dominance.

: Their backbone consists of Comitatenses —disciplined, well-armored late-era legions.

: Unique to the Franks, these axemen throw heavy axes before charging, dealing significant morale and physical damage.

A: When a nomadic faction (like the Huns or Vandals) loses its last settlement, its entire population transforms into several large, free armies called hordes. These armies can move and fight without paying upkeep. Your goal as a horde is to conquer a new territory, at which point you can settle down and start building your empire again.