Rome Total War Barbarian Invasion Units «Cross-Platform Confirmed»

The year is 363 AD, and the air in the Rhine Valley tastes of iron and wet earth. Marcus, a veteran Comitatenses of the Western Roman Empire, tightened the straps of his lorica hamata

. He stood atop a crumbling stone watchtower, looking East. For generations, the border had held. But the world was changing. The shadows in the forest were no longer just trees; they were the Frankish Paladins

, heavy-cavalry nobles whose axes could split a legionary’s shield like kindling.

Behind them, rumors of a greater terror whispered through the ranks—the

. They weren't just men; they were centaurs of the steppe. Marcus had seen a scout's body riddled with arrows shot from horseback at a full gallop.

The horn sounded. A low, guttural blast that vibrated in Marcus’s marrow. From the tree line, the Berserkers

emerged first, howling and biting their shields, oblivious to the biting cold. They were the shock, the chaos. Marcus signaled his men to form the

, but this wasn't the invincible shell of his grandfather’s day. The empire was hemorrhaging, its steel thinner, its gold debased.

As the barbarian tide slammed into the Roman line, the ground began to shake. Not from the infantry, but from the Sarmatian Auxiliaries

—mailed horsemen who had defected to the Roman side for land and bread. They thundered past the infantry, lances leveled, a silver wall meant to meet the Frankish charge. In the center of the fray, Marcus caught a glimpse of a

on a massive white charger, draped in furs and Roman silk stripped from a dead governor. This was the era of the Migration. There was no room for diplomacy, only the harsh mathematics of survival. The Roman line buckled. A group of Night Raiders

, faces painted black as the void, scaled the rear wall of the fort. Marcus drew his

. He knew the Eternal City was far away, and its walls were no longer enough. The age of the Legion was ending; the age of the Barbarian had begun. or perhaps a battle strategy for defending the frontier?

In Rome: Total War – Barbarian Invasion , units are defined by the era's transition from professional legionaries to more diverse, often Germanic, "barbarian" influences within and outside the empire. Elite & Game-Changing Units

Certain units are widely regarded by players at the Total War Wiki and community forums like Reddit as powerhouses:

Clibinarii Immortals (Sassanids): Frequently cited as one of the most "broken" units in the game. These heavy cavalry are nearly immune to missiles and can charge frontally into spears with minimal casualties. rome total war barbarian invasion units

Carriage Ballistae (Eastern Rome): A late-game artillery unit that is mobile and devastatingly accurate, often considered hilariously overpowered in the right hands.

Plumbatarii (Roman Empires): Unlike their mediocre counterparts in other titles, these heavy infantry are excellent, using armor-piercing lead-weighted darts (plumbata) before engaging in melee.

Graal Knights (Romano-British): The carry unit for the emergent Romano-British faction, providing heavy cavalry superiority where the rest of the roster may struggle.

Lombard Berserkers: Fearsome infantry that can rip through enemy lines, though they are vulnerable to missiles due to a lack of armor. Unit Comparison by Faction Type

Military rosters in the expansion generally fall into three categories: Faction Type Key Unit Characteristics Standout Examples Roman Empires

Heavily armored infantry; transition from Legions to Comitatenses. Comitatenses, Auxilia Palatina, Plumbatarii. Barbarian Tribes

High-offense infantry, often with unique cultural units like Berserkers or Druids.

Saxon Hearth Troops, Frankish Axe Heerbann, Celtic Gallowglasses. Nomadic Hordes Heavily reliant on horse archers and shock cavalry. Hunnic Elite Warriors, Sarmatian Armored Archers. Notable Faction Specifics Category:Rome: Total War: Barbarian Invasion units

The year is 410 AD. The Western Roman Empire is a corpse that has not yet stopped bleeding. On the frozen plains of Pannonia, a disparate army has gathered not for glory, but for survival. This is the story of three units, each the last remnant of a dying world.

Tactical tips

  • Use spear/pike units to anchor against cavalry; place them in the center or to cover flanks.
  • Combine missile fire (archers, javelinmen) to soften enemy lines before committing heavy infantry.
  • Heavy cavalry and cataphracts are best deployed on flanks to charge into enemy rear or unexposed formations.
  • Use light cavalry and skirmishers for scouting, harassment, and chasing routing units.
  • In sieges, artillery and missile infantry are crucial; keep heavy infantry to hold breaches.
  • Barbarian units often excel at morale-crushing charges; exploit their aggressive bonuses early but beware of fatigue and poor armor in prolonged fights.
  • Maintain unit cohesion; isolated units (especially missile troops) get cut down quickly by heavy cavalry.

Notable factions & signature units

  • Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantium)

    • Cataphracts: elite shock cavalry; use to smash formations.
    • Imperial Guard/Palatinae: high-quality heavy infantry for core lines.
    • Horse Archers: flexible ranged cavalry.

  • Western Roman Empire

    • Legionaries (late): good heavy infantry with solid morale.
    • Auxilia: versatile missile and light infantry support.

  • Huns

    • Horse Archers (skirmish cavalry): deadly kiting units; avoid prolonged melee.
    • Cataphracts (when available): powerful, if expensive.

  • Goths / Vandals / Franks / Saxons

    • Huscarls/Warband: strong melee infantry for shock actions.
    • Throwing Axemen/Javelinmen: good early-game anti-infantry specialists.
    • Noble Cavalry (Franks): heavy cavalry with high charge.

  • Persia (Sassanid remnants in some campaigns)

    • Heavy Lancers/Cataphracts: tough cavalry punch.
    • Immortals-style infantry: disciplined veteran troops.

  • Gauls

    • Noble Cavalry: strong charge units.
    • Woad/Warband infantry: aggressive melee troops with high attack but low defense.

Rome: Total War — Barbarian Invasion Units

Barbarian Invasion (BI) expands Rome: Total War with new factions, campaigns, and unit rosters tuned for late antiquity. Below is a concise, organized guide to the major unit types you’ll encounter and use across the playable barbarian factions (Goths, Vandals, Huns, Franks, Saxons, Alemanni, Burgundians, and other Germanic/steppe groups), plus key Roman/Byzantine units you’ll meet in the campaign.

The Eastern Roman Empire (ERE)

The ERE is wealthier and more stable, and their roster reflects the transition toward the Byzantine military style.

  • **Clibanarii & Cataph

In the late 4th century, the frontiers of the Roman Empire aren't just lines on a map—they are a desperate struggle for survival. As a commander in Rome: Total War—Barbarian Invasion

, your success depends on mastering the specialized units that define this era of chaos. The Roman Shield Wall

The Western and Eastern Roman Empires rely on heavy professional infantry, though they are fewer in number than the legions of old. Plumbatarii

: These are the backbone of a late Roman army. Unlike standard legionaries, they carry lead-weighted darts ( ) that have a much greater range than traditional javelins. First Cohorts

: Rare and powerful, these units carry the eagle of Rome, providing a massive morale boost to nearby troops. Scholae Palatinae

: The elite cavalry of the late Empire, these heavy riders are designed to counter the burgeoning threat of barbarian horsemen. The Terror of the Steppes Nomadic factions like the

bring a different kind of war—one of speed and overwhelming numbers. Hunnic Elite Warriors : Widely considered the best horse archers

in the game, they can pepper an enemy with arrows and then transition into light shock cavalry for a finishing charge. Mounted Aryan Priests

: While not heavy hitters, they are used as mobile support units to chase down routing enemies and keep friendly morale high. Horde Units

: When a barbarian faction loses its last city, its entire population becomes an army. While units like Horde Infantry Horde Horsemen

are individually weak, they don't require upkeep, allowing you to overwhelm enemies through sheer weight of numbers. Barbarian Powerhouses

Settled barbarian tribes offer elite infantry that can go toe-to-toe with Roman steel.

Rome: Total War - Barbarian Invasion , units shift from the classic Roman legionary focus to late-antique rosters featuring heavy cavalry and specialized barbarian warbands. The expansion introduces new tactical mechanics like Horde units Shield Walls Schiltroms Core Unit Categories Category:Rome: Total War: Barbarian Invasion units The year is 363 AD, and the air

The Western Roman Empire (WRE) and Eastern Roman Empire (ERE) share a similar "late Roman" roster that trades the early game's Hastati for defensive, heavily armored infantry.

Comitatenses: The standard heavy infantry. They are reliable line-holders designed to grind down enemy warbands.

Plumbatarii: An elite upgrade to Comitatenses. They carry lead-weighted darts (plumbata) with incredible range and damage, allowing them to soften targets significantly before the melee begins.

Limitanei: Low-tier border guards. Best used for garrison duty or as "fodder" to absorb charges while better units flank.

Carriage Ballistae: A late-game unit widely considered "broken" or overpowered. These are mobile artillery pieces that can devastate enemy formations while moving. 🐎 Nomad & Steppe Factions

Factions like the Huns, Goths, and Sarmatians rely heavily on mobile warfare and the unique Horde mechanic.

Horse Archers: The bread and butter of the Huns. They excel at "cantabrian circles," kiting slower infantry and depleting morale with constant harassment.

Noble Cavalry/Cataphracts: Heavily armored shock cavalry used to deliver the final blow. The Sassanid (Eastern) bodyguards are particularly feared for their automatic replenishment and high stats.

Sarmatian Virgin Cavalry: Unique to the Sarmatians, these are highly capable shock troops that can stand toe-to-toe with many male noble units. 🪓 Barbarian Tribes

Tribes like the Franks, Saxons, and Alemanni focus on aggressive infantry and unique specialized weapons.

Francisca Heavers (Franks): Infantry that throw heavy axes before charging, capable of shattering shields and morale quickly.

Saxon Keel: Specialized heavy infantry that provides a rock-solid center for the Saxon line.

Chosen Axemen: High-damage heavy infantry used to break through Roman shield walls.

Berserkers: Rare but terrifying units that, once "enraged," become uncontrollable and fight to the death with massive attack bonuses. 🏹 Specialty & Mercenary Units

Alan Horse Archers: Found in the North/Northwest, these are excellent "budget" versions of Hunnic horse archers. The year is 410 AD

Graal Knights: Extremely powerful heavy cavalry available to the Romano-British (a late-game emergent faction).

Eastern Archers: Priority recruitment for the ERE to counter nomadic horse archers. 💡 Quick Unit Tips

Get in Touch

The year is 363 AD, and the air in the Rhine Valley tastes of iron and wet earth. Marcus, a veteran Comitatenses of the Western Roman Empire, tightened the straps of his lorica hamata

. He stood atop a crumbling stone watchtower, looking East. For generations, the border had held. But the world was changing. The shadows in the forest were no longer just trees; they were the Frankish Paladins

, heavy-cavalry nobles whose axes could split a legionary’s shield like kindling.

Behind them, rumors of a greater terror whispered through the ranks—the

. They weren't just men; they were centaurs of the steppe. Marcus had seen a scout's body riddled with arrows shot from horseback at a full gallop.

The horn sounded. A low, guttural blast that vibrated in Marcus’s marrow. From the tree line, the Berserkers

emerged first, howling and biting their shields, oblivious to the biting cold. They were the shock, the chaos. Marcus signaled his men to form the

, but this wasn't the invincible shell of his grandfather’s day. The empire was hemorrhaging, its steel thinner, its gold debased.

As the barbarian tide slammed into the Roman line, the ground began to shake. Not from the infantry, but from the Sarmatian Auxiliaries

—mailed horsemen who had defected to the Roman side for land and bread. They thundered past the infantry, lances leveled, a silver wall meant to meet the Frankish charge. In the center of the fray, Marcus caught a glimpse of a

on a massive white charger, draped in furs and Roman silk stripped from a dead governor. This was the era of the Migration. There was no room for diplomacy, only the harsh mathematics of survival. The Roman line buckled. A group of Night Raiders

, faces painted black as the void, scaled the rear wall of the fort. Marcus drew his

. He knew the Eternal City was far away, and its walls were no longer enough. The age of the Legion was ending; the age of the Barbarian had begun. or perhaps a battle strategy for defending the frontier?

In Rome: Total War – Barbarian Invasion , units are defined by the era's transition from professional legionaries to more diverse, often Germanic, "barbarian" influences within and outside the empire. Elite & Game-Changing Units

Certain units are widely regarded by players at the Total War Wiki and community forums like Reddit as powerhouses:

Clibinarii Immortals (Sassanids): Frequently cited as one of the most "broken" units in the game. These heavy cavalry are nearly immune to missiles and can charge frontally into spears with minimal casualties.

Carriage Ballistae (Eastern Rome): A late-game artillery unit that is mobile and devastatingly accurate, often considered hilariously overpowered in the right hands.

Plumbatarii (Roman Empires): Unlike their mediocre counterparts in other titles, these heavy infantry are excellent, using armor-piercing lead-weighted darts (plumbata) before engaging in melee.

Graal Knights (Romano-British): The carry unit for the emergent Romano-British faction, providing heavy cavalry superiority where the rest of the roster may struggle.

Lombard Berserkers: Fearsome infantry that can rip through enemy lines, though they are vulnerable to missiles due to a lack of armor. Unit Comparison by Faction Type

Military rosters in the expansion generally fall into three categories: Faction Type Key Unit Characteristics Standout Examples Roman Empires

Heavily armored infantry; transition from Legions to Comitatenses. Comitatenses, Auxilia Palatina, Plumbatarii. Barbarian Tribes

High-offense infantry, often with unique cultural units like Berserkers or Druids.

Saxon Hearth Troops, Frankish Axe Heerbann, Celtic Gallowglasses. Nomadic Hordes Heavily reliant on horse archers and shock cavalry. Hunnic Elite Warriors, Sarmatian Armored Archers. Notable Faction Specifics Category:Rome: Total War: Barbarian Invasion units

The year is 410 AD. The Western Roman Empire is a corpse that has not yet stopped bleeding. On the frozen plains of Pannonia, a disparate army has gathered not for glory, but for survival. This is the story of three units, each the last remnant of a dying world.

Tactical tips

Notable factions & signature units

Rome: Total War — Barbarian Invasion Units

Barbarian Invasion (BI) expands Rome: Total War with new factions, campaigns, and unit rosters tuned for late antiquity. Below is a concise, organized guide to the major unit types you’ll encounter and use across the playable barbarian factions (Goths, Vandals, Huns, Franks, Saxons, Alemanni, Burgundians, and other Germanic/steppe groups), plus key Roman/Byzantine units you’ll meet in the campaign.

The Eastern Roman Empire (ERE)

The ERE is wealthier and more stable, and their roster reflects the transition toward the Byzantine military style.

In the late 4th century, the frontiers of the Roman Empire aren't just lines on a map—they are a desperate struggle for survival. As a commander in Rome: Total War—Barbarian Invasion

, your success depends on mastering the specialized units that define this era of chaos. The Roman Shield Wall

The Western and Eastern Roman Empires rely on heavy professional infantry, though they are fewer in number than the legions of old. Plumbatarii

: These are the backbone of a late Roman army. Unlike standard legionaries, they carry lead-weighted darts ( ) that have a much greater range than traditional javelins. First Cohorts

: Rare and powerful, these units carry the eagle of Rome, providing a massive morale boost to nearby troops. Scholae Palatinae

: The elite cavalry of the late Empire, these heavy riders are designed to counter the burgeoning threat of barbarian horsemen. The Terror of the Steppes Nomadic factions like the

bring a different kind of war—one of speed and overwhelming numbers. Hunnic Elite Warriors : Widely considered the best horse archers

in the game, they can pepper an enemy with arrows and then transition into light shock cavalry for a finishing charge. Mounted Aryan Priests

: While not heavy hitters, they are used as mobile support units to chase down routing enemies and keep friendly morale high. Horde Units

: When a barbarian faction loses its last city, its entire population becomes an army. While units like Horde Infantry Horde Horsemen

are individually weak, they don't require upkeep, allowing you to overwhelm enemies through sheer weight of numbers. Barbarian Powerhouses

Settled barbarian tribes offer elite infantry that can go toe-to-toe with Roman steel.

Rome: Total War - Barbarian Invasion , units shift from the classic Roman legionary focus to late-antique rosters featuring heavy cavalry and specialized barbarian warbands. The expansion introduces new tactical mechanics like Horde units Shield Walls Schiltroms Core Unit Categories Category:Rome: Total War: Barbarian Invasion units

The Western Roman Empire (WRE) and Eastern Roman Empire (ERE) share a similar "late Roman" roster that trades the early game's Hastati for defensive, heavily armored infantry.

Comitatenses: The standard heavy infantry. They are reliable line-holders designed to grind down enemy warbands.

Plumbatarii: An elite upgrade to Comitatenses. They carry lead-weighted darts (plumbata) with incredible range and damage, allowing them to soften targets significantly before the melee begins.

Limitanei: Low-tier border guards. Best used for garrison duty or as "fodder" to absorb charges while better units flank.

Carriage Ballistae: A late-game unit widely considered "broken" or overpowered. These are mobile artillery pieces that can devastate enemy formations while moving. 🐎 Nomad & Steppe Factions

Factions like the Huns, Goths, and Sarmatians rely heavily on mobile warfare and the unique Horde mechanic.

Horse Archers: The bread and butter of the Huns. They excel at "cantabrian circles," kiting slower infantry and depleting morale with constant harassment.

Noble Cavalry/Cataphracts: Heavily armored shock cavalry used to deliver the final blow. The Sassanid (Eastern) bodyguards are particularly feared for their automatic replenishment and high stats.

Sarmatian Virgin Cavalry: Unique to the Sarmatians, these are highly capable shock troops that can stand toe-to-toe with many male noble units. 🪓 Barbarian Tribes

Tribes like the Franks, Saxons, and Alemanni focus on aggressive infantry and unique specialized weapons.

Francisca Heavers (Franks): Infantry that throw heavy axes before charging, capable of shattering shields and morale quickly.

Saxon Keel: Specialized heavy infantry that provides a rock-solid center for the Saxon line.

Chosen Axemen: High-damage heavy infantry used to break through Roman shield walls.

Berserkers: Rare but terrifying units that, once "enraged," become uncontrollable and fight to the death with massive attack bonuses. 🏹 Specialty & Mercenary Units

Alan Horse Archers: Found in the North/Northwest, these are excellent "budget" versions of Hunnic horse archers.

Graal Knights: Extremely powerful heavy cavalry available to the Romano-British (a late-game emergent faction).

Eastern Archers: Priority recruitment for the ERE to counter nomadic horse archers. 💡 Quick Unit Tips