The Barbarian traditions encompass the fighting styles of the peoples of Hispania, Gaul, Britannia, and Germania, among others. They mostly relied on large formations of lightly armored infantry equipped with spears or swords, supported by nimble chariot formations or light cavalry, and made extensive use of ambush tactics, especially in forests.
Unlock Italic tradition groups if any of the below culture groups has either500 pops or is equal to 25% of the country's primary culture pops:
Italic
+2.5% Heavy infantry offense
Strong Arm
Ambush
N/A
Enable "Hit-and-Run" tactic
+25% Combat bonus in forest
N/A
Strike From Afar
N/A
+15% Archers offense
Ambush
Take up Arms
N/A
−15% Archers cost
Strike From Afar
Hail of Stones
N/A
+10% Archers defense
Take up Arms
Strike and Withdraw
N/A
+10% Light infantry morale
Ambush
The Young Must Serve
N/A
−15% Light infantry cost
Strike and Withdraw
Coming of Age
N/A
+10% Light infantry defense
+20% Light infantry combat bonus in plains
The Young Must Serve
Adaptability
A new character is generated with:
8 Martial
Tactician trait
+10% Archers discipline
+10% Light infantry discipline
Strike and Withdraw
Strike From Afar
The Plains Fight With us
N/A
+15% Combat bonus in farmland
+15% Combat bonus in plains
Coming of Age
Hail of Stones
Tradition
Description
Scale the Walls!
Our people have taken to residing in walled territories, which, while well-defended, have weaknesses, if one knows where to look.
Shield Wall
Germanic troops often surprised their opponents by utilizing a core of heavily shielded warriors, acting as a deterrent to attackers, and as a particularly cohesive and mobile unit on the battlefield.
Strong Arm
While most of our warriors eschew the protection afforded by mail, our strong-armed and well equipped javelin-throwers clad themselves in armor, and can hurl iron-tipped spears capable of punching through plate armor, flesh, and bone.
Embrace Celto-Italic Influence
N/A
Ambush
Tribal warfare is brutal affair. The seizure of slaves, women and valuables is a time-honored practice which we ought not to forgo.
Strike From Afar
Huntsmen and skirmishers practice from a young age, honing their skills on wildlife and those unlucky enough to constitute a target.
Take up Arms
Every man has a place in our armies; not least the hunters, who stalk their prey on battlefield and forest alike.
Hail of Stones
Those unable or unwilling to hold an axe, learn the art of the sling, or bow. A simple tool it may seem, but even mighty giants can be felled by a single stone.
Strike and Withdraw
The relative fitness of our warriors, combined with our people's contempt for cumbersome equipment, allows us to outmaneuver traditional armies with ease. By harrying our opponents; flanks, they will likely lose enthusiasm for the fight before we do.
The Young Must Serve
Learning the art of warfare is a vital part of every youth's education. If a child can wield a sword and maintain their equipment, then they are ready for war.
Coming of Age
From a young age, our children are taught that they may be called upon to defend their settlements. If every man bears responsibility for arming himself, armies can be raised from the very salt of the earth.
Adaptability
Our brave soldiers may be the fiercest the world has seen, but true humility comes in learning from our defeats. by adopting tactics we encounter on the battlefield, from those who consider themselves more 'civilized', we may outdo any fighting force we meet.
The Plains Fight With us
The rolling plains of Gaul, from the coast to the Alps, prove ideal terrain for the use of cavalry.
Gain 2 Freemen in 2 settlements with the highest room to grow (population cap − total population)
−15% Army attrition
The Glory of the Hunt
Natural Resources
Gain 2 Freemen in 3 settlements with the highest room to grow (population cap − total population)
+10% National tribesman output
Living off the Land
A People on the Move
Lose 25 centralization
+6% Unintegrated culture happiness
Natural Resources
In Defense of our Home
Gain a fortress building level in the capital city (with available building slots)
+1 National fort infrastructure capacity
Natural Resources
Selective Breeding
Gain horses trade good in a city with the highest population if it is:
The capital
Produces iron trade good
Produces horses trade good
Produces steppe horses trade good
Has at least 1 non-food trade good
+10% Chariot morale
+10% Light cavalry morale
The Glory of the Hunt
Trained Cavalry
N/A
+15% Light cavalry offense
Selective Breeding
Embrace Celtiberian-African Influence
Unlock North African tradition groups if any of the below culture groups has either500 pops or is equal to 25% of the country's primary culture pops:
Numidian
Punic
+5% Light cavalry defense
Selective Breeding
Tradition
Description
Chariot Culture
The use of chariots in warfare stems back many thousands of years, and holds strong affiliations with nobility and class; chariot inhumations speak to the honor that can be won through battle. Chariots themselves were commonly used as mobile platforms with two to three occupants, from which javelins or other thrown weapons were used to break the ranks of their opponents.
Chariot Mastery
The terror inspired by a massed chariot attack, can be sufficient to break even the most battle-hardened formations.
Scythed Chariots
Affixing scything blades to the wheels of our chariots, adds a lethal deterrent to anyone foolhardy enough to assault them.
The Glory of the Hunt
'Quintili Vare, legiones redde!' - The battle of Teutoberg Forest was a decisive victory for the Germanic tribes, all but wiping our three entire Roman legions. While a combination of factors contributed to this, the Germanic familiarity with the dense terrain was a major one.
Confederations
Many Tribes maintained close relations with their neighbors, guaranteeing a certain amount of cooperation when it came to battle. Warbands likely comprised members of many different local tribes, all fighting for glory.
Blow the Trumpet, in the New Moon!
The Carnyx, a trumpet possessed of a harsh and instantly recognizable timbre, inspired our troops, while terrifying our opponents.
Word of Mouth
Whether it be a chance for glory, an opportunity for loot, or merely to revel in the slaughter, news of an imminent battle draws even the elders to our ranks.
Living off the Land
Our people know the ways of the land better than most; which berries and plants are edible, and which natural remedies can be used to salve wounds.
Natural Resources
The abundance of arable land and vast tracts of land sporting workable wood, give us unparalleled access to the resources we need to create weapons of war.
A People on the Move
Our ancestors moved freely, uncaring of borders or territorial claims. These nomadic traditions live on, as our people live in constant readiness to seek our pastures greener than their own.
In Defense of our Home
From blacksmiths to traders, when our hill forts and rural settlements are threatened, all shall take up arms and stand united.
Selective Breeding
Revered throughout the bronze age and before, as evident in the chalk hill carvings throughout Britain, the strong-backed domestic horse is a result of thousands of years of selective breeding, and capable of carrying a single rider into battle.
Trained Cavalry
Domestic horses, while sufficient for defense in emergencies, are inclined to panic on the battlefield, Thus, by expanding our stock of horses bred and trained for war, our bold warriors will excel at their true puropse: carnage.