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The
Beauty of Rabble
By Skimmer
In the world
known as Zeus many things take place. Economy, micro-management...really
dumb shepherds and growers. One of the games main features is military.
There are many things involved with military: the palace, walls
and towers, triremes, elite housing, common housing, horse ranches,
armor, and rabble.
Rabble are considered
the most pathetic and worthless type of military. What is there
to like? Rabble are weak, slow, can not be sent on conquest or raiding
missions, and when called, greatly reduce your work force. There
is one advantage many players tend to discount, and that is range.
Range doesn't appear to be a great thing. It is true that they are
still weak. However, when it comes to city defense rabble can be
a gem.
For example,
say an army of Persians is coming toward the city. Upgraded elite
housing is standing well in advance. Six companies of horseman ready
to tear your enemy to pieces. A window pops up, "The time to prepare
has passed. In one month an army of rival Persians will come to
your city, bent on conquest." Heh Heh, they don't stand a chance.
Horseman are called in the spot they are most likely to attack from.
They arrive. One click takes you to where they will enter the great
city of Sparta. Your screen is on the entrance to the river. Enemy
ships come pouring in. The horseman are on the other side of the
map. They can't possibly make it. The enemy troops are dropped off
right next to your palace.
This is a painful
scenario. "How could this happen?" These are the words that flow
through you after witnessing your own defeat. How am I supposed
to stop this from happening if I can’t build ships, you think. The
answer is rabble. Rabble seem worthless and a waste of time. Still,
this poorly trained bunch of rock-throwers could have saved you
from defeat. All adventures can benefit from rabble. Even though
they seem to be pimple on your city, a blemish, a knot in the wood
of your military.
You might be
thinking "I could build triremes, that’s all the cover I need."
This is true. However, rabble can also provide cover for your land
troops. A land army can often be overwhelming, and have more enemies
than expected. The hoplites and horseman are dropping to the ground
like rocks. Rabble can come in handy here, too. If the rabble are
behind your mainstream military they provide cover. Rabble deliver
blows from a distance. This same feature can be used with walls
as well. If rabble are positioned behind walls a salvo of pebbles
can be rained on the enemy as they try to get through.
All great generals
know that the greatest advantage in war is high ground. Rabble positioned
on mountains will rip apart any attack made by intruders. They will
be protected from being hurt from their safe position as well. This
is especially vital if you wish to send your elite men on a conquest
mission but an enemy is on the trail to your city. Why wait those
last few months to send your elite men, when they could have been
doing something useful. The militia you have offer a very capable
defense.
At last, in
a forum thread started by KennyFurry called "killing monsters with
rabble" it is proved that it is possible to kill monsters that attack
your city with this measly bunch of citizens. Why don’t horses and
hoplites work? Range is the answer to it all. The special forces
get eaten away by any monster that is thrown in your face. The rabble
do a very good job at this in the first episode of Zeus and Europa.
The rabble can use the high ground tactics to hail on the Hydra.
Rabble are a
truly valuable tool in a defensive situation. They’re range will
be beneficial to any city, whether it be SenetEr’s great New Athens,
or my own humble New Thebes. Rabble are a beautiful accommodation
to any city. Next time you think about how grand your budding city
will eventually become, don’t forget to include some rabble in the
picture.
© 2000 Garrett Edel
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