Rome Total War Barbarian Invasion Units ((install)) Jun 2026

The backbone of the late Roman army. Plumbatarii are particularly dangerous because they throw heavy lead darts ( plumbatae ) before charging, devastating enemy armor.

Terrifying shock infantry that can go into a uncontrollable bloodfrenzy. They ignore morale penalties, hit with immense force, and cause fear in nearby enemy units, though their lack of armor leaves them vulnerable to missiles. The Nomadic Hordes: Masters of the Steppe rome total war barbarian invasion units

Elite heavy cavalry available to both Roman factions. These cataphract-style riders are heavily armored, making them the ultimate shock weapon to break barbarian infantry lines from the flanks. The backbone of the late Roman army

: Rely on heavy infantry like Auxilia Palatina and Plumbatarii (who use lead-weighted darts). They also utilize Equites Clibinarii for heavy cavalry support. They ignore morale penalties, hit with immense force,

If you want to optimize your campaign strategy, we can look at the and upkeep efficiency of these specific units.

When playing as the Franks or Saxons, hide in dense forestry along narrow paths. Wait for heavily armored Roman columns to pass. Fire their axes at close range to shred Roman shields, then charge immediately to break their morale before they can form a defensive line. Unit Class Comparison Unit Class Primary Strength Core Vulnerability Best Faction Variant Heavy Infantry High armor, holds defensive lines Slow movement, vulnerable to artillery Western Roman Palatini Shock Infantry Massive armor-piercing damage Vulnerable to missile fire and cavalry Saxon Hearth Members Missile Cavalry Excellent skirmishing, fast Low ammunition, crushed in melee Hunnic Horse Archers Shock Cavalry Massive charge bonus Vulnerable to Schiltron and spears Sassanid Clibinarii If you want to optimize a specific army roster, tell me: Which faction you are currently playing

The barbarian cavalry is surprisingly strong. They lack the extreme armor of Eastern cataphracts, but their high charge bonus can shatter Roman lines if the cavalry hits them in the flank.