Total War: Pharaoh Hanigalbat

Total War: Pharaoh Hanigalbat
Name:	Hanigalbat (Assyrian kingdom)
From Game:	Total War: Pharaoh
Culture:	Assyrian
Playable:	Yes

Hanigalbat is an Assyrian playable kingdom in Total War Pharaoh Dynasties.

Overview

Ninurta-Apal-Ekur, the king of Hanigalbat, is an ambitious ruler who wishes to expand, but who might understimate the difficulties which will be involved. His kingdom was known as Mitanni before it was absorbed into the Assyrian Empire. His faction roster includes club and khopesh infantry, which are lightly armoured, and decent archers, which can easily destroy poorly armoured infantry (sucn as two-handed axemen). He can recruit native light spear cavalry, which are effective when charging the flanks and rear of light units, and when pursuing fleeing enemies. In the late campaign, Hanigalbat's roster includes elite spear infantry and two-handed club infantry (both well-armoured), composite bow infantry, horse archers and medium melee cavalry.

Ninurta-Apal-Ekur, the king of Hanigalbat

Starting Position

At the start of the campaign, Ninurta-Apal-Ekur controls three of the four regions of Hanigalbat province and is at war with the owner of the remaining region. Your starting regions provide food and wood, but not stone, bronze or gold. To the south of your starting province is the Euphrates, a major river which provides fast movement and a good supply of food for settlements along its banks.

Strategies for Hanigalbat

Ninurta-Apal-Ekur is somewhat similar to Ramesses - both factions seem to be intended for rapid expansion, but for both factions there are difficulties as you expand. Your first goal will probably be to take Sangaritu (the remaining settlement in Hanigalbat province), to the south of your starting position. In early battles, your light spear cavalry can destroy enemy skirmishers, and can help your melee infantry break enemy lines by charging the enemy rear, falling back and charging again.

After taking control of your starting province, you are free to expand in any direction. Faster movement along the Euphrates can help you to take territory quickly. When you want to move armies along the Euphrates, it works better to left-click the army, and right-click and hold (rather than right-clicking on the location you want to go). If you right-click and hold, you can move the cursor to choose between different routes - the default route is often along the land, which is slower than using the river.

Your faction lacks the standard building which increases happiness, so you may have more rebellions than other factions, particularly in newly conquered regions. However, some of your buildings increase happiness, for example an upgraded guard tower in a major settlement. Also, if you research the Royal Decree which unlocks the slot allowing your faction to worship a second god, you may want to choose Ishtar - her shrines and temples increase happiness. As well as the usual shrines and temples, Hanigalbat can construct religious Dwellings, providing Favour with a god and other benefits (for example, a Dwelling of Ninurta provides extra ammunition for ranged units on recruitment).

Another challenge which can occur with rapid expansion is that you may be drawn into an Assyrian civil war. If you expand quickly, you might become the ruler of Assyria earlier than you expected, because of the legitimacy you acquired with your victories. Becoming the Assyrian ruler has advantages, but it can also mean that several other Assyrian factions suddenly declare war on Hanigalbat. Alternatively, the factions to your west such as Emar may try to invade your home regions.

Desert attrition may be difficult to manage for Hanigalbat, as (unlike Ramesses) his generals don't have access to the Sand Walker title (which provides immunity from desert attrition). However, if you expand west along the Euphrates, you will be able to recruit native units which are immune to desert attrition - including camelry (camel riders).

Legacy

You can choose between Hammurabi the Lawmaker and Sargon the Great. Hammurabi the Lawmaker allows you to gain passive buffs for your empire by creating laws (this is similar to Royal Decrees). Sargon the Great allows you to acquire abilities through completing ambitions, and also offers grand ambitions.