Saba – Roster Reveal
Saba
The Sabaean kingdom lies in the harsh lands of the southern Arabian Peninsula. Even in such inhospitable conditions, however, these ingenious people thrived. They built dams, invented new irrigation techniques and became masters of water-efficiency. The Sabaeans were also excellent sailors, and had strong trade relations with peoples across the Red Sea.
Not warlike by nature, the Sabaeans charged mercenaries with the protection of their trade routes and caravans. That said, they were a resilient people of tough character, who made formidable foes for anyone who dared threaten their great capital city of Marib. Even the Romans could not best them during their expedition in the early 1st century.
In battle Saba has access to elite camel cavalry units like the Ma’rib Camel Cataphracts and Royal Camel Archers. Caravan Guard are the backbone of the Saba army that do not require you to research a military building to recruit them and allows you to focus on trade and economy in your campaign as Saba. Although you should probably ensure you keep a healthy amount in your treasury so you can make use of the faction trait that allows you the access cheaper and stronger mercenary units.
Key features:
- Camels as predominant cavalry, with superior armored camels
- Excellent use of javelins and chariots
- Agricultural and fertility bonuses from the famous Marib Dam
- Incense production provides diplomatic and trade bonuses
- Great Dam of Ma’rib: A unique building type which provides faction wide bonuses to agriculture and fertility and can be upgraded with technologies, but requires upkeep to maintain.
Faction Traits:
- Incense Traders: Bonus income from tariffs
- Hired Armies: Access to cheaper, stronger mercenary units
Unit Roster
Melee Infantry
T1: Desert Levy
T2: Mercenary Maas Gat Marauders
T2: Sabaean Swordsmen
T3: Noble Swordsmen
Spear Infantry
T1: Desert Spearmen
T2: Sabaean Spearmen
T2: Caravan Guard
T4: Marib Royal Guard
Missile Infantry
T1: Slingers
T1: Levy Skirmishers
T2: Tribespeople
T2: Sabaean Archers
Shock Cavalry
T2: Camel Lancers
T3: Sabaean Camel Cataphracts
T3: Desert Heavy Lancers
T4: Marib Camel Cataphracts
Melee Cavalry
T2: Desert Cavalry
T2: Camel Spearmen
T2: Arabian Cavalry
T3: Mercenary Himyar Cavalry
T3: Armoured Camel Spearmen
T4: Royal Marib Cavalry
Missile Cavalry
T2: Camel Archers
T3: Royal Camel Archers
Special
T2: Desert Chariots