I'm playing the Greek World scenario, on Chieftain as The Romans. I build Rome at the default start location. Right away you are set with barbarians. I generally raze the barbarian cities in the early stages preferring to build my own until I've spread out a bit. For the most part I am fending them off constantly,which is fine, but I've noticed in late games they seem to be throwing huge stacks at me, but the thing is I do have a fair line of sight around my cities, yet one turn i will have no one in the vicinity of my cities, and next turn a horde will seem to appear out of nowhere, beyond movement range where I ca see them approach, sometimes between cities where there is a dark area close by as if they were just dropped in. Maybe I'm not watching closely to see them sneaking up on me, it seems wierd.

Build the Great Wall ;)

Barbarians spawn in the fog of war- so, yes, they are dropped into that little space you can't see.

He is talking about the Greek World mod that comes with vannilla. There is nothing you can do about the barbs. There is some python that says when and where they should appear. Even if this was Warlords, I don't think the Great wall would do anything because the barbs spawn 'in' your territory, they don't 'enter' it.

He is talking about the Greek World mod that comes with vannilla. There is nothing you can do about the barbs. There is some python that says when and where they should appear. Even if this was Warlords, I don't think the Great wall would do anything because the barbs spawn 'in' your territory, they don't 'enter' it.

Exactly. They just appear. OK. thanks. I'll plan my strategy accordingly, crack the whip a bit more and pump out more Praetorians.

I have to admit this is a very challenging game. I've gone past the ending, eking out a time victory. I've expanded a bit too slowly probably, but the prospect of the huge stacks of barbarians being dropped right at my doorstep keeps me from thinning what garrisions I've built up, so I purpose build exploratory groups, especially after losing a couple of lightly escorted settlers. I've also been sticking a couple of forts around my more important cities and entrenching a couple of units in each, it seems to slow the hordes down a little bit.

I typically play this game as the Greeks - I agree it is very challenging.

I typically play this game as the Greeks - I agree it is very challenging. I played the first time as Alexander and got my ass kicked by the barbarians and gave up on it. After I finish this one as the Romans I'm going to try it again as the Greeks.