How to Play The Brutii in Total War: Rome Remastered

After a much-anticipated wait, Total War: Rome Remastered has finally arrived. Rome: Total War was released in 2004 and was one of the most popular games of the franchise, but it started to show its age. A remastered version with widescreen support, improved visuals, and some new features is welcome. Total War: Rome Remastered can still hold up against newer titles in the Total War series because it focuses on things that the other games do not. It may lack orcs or dark elves, but it allows players the freedom to build their settlements how they wish and lead their chosen patrician family to greatness for the glory of Rome (and mostly themselves).

One of the three Roman factions players can choose is the Brutii family. When played strategically, they are one of the most powerful factions in the game. The game does throw a lot at the player with only basic information. Figuring out how to best make use of all the game systems can be confusing. During the course of the game, players will simultaneously manage a family, maintain settlements, establish relations with foreign powers, raise armies, fight real-time battles, and more. It can be overwhelming, so here are some tips, tricks, and strategies to help unravel the game’s complexities.

Expanding as the Brutii in Total War: Rome Remastered

To obtain campaign victory in the normal campaign, the player needs to control 50 provinces, either directly or through vassals. Each of the playable Roman factions has its own starting location and suggested direction to begin conquering. The Brutii begin in southern Italy, and they will begin conquering eastward towards Greece, Macedon, and beyond.

When the campaign begins, the Brutii are already at war with rebels. They serve as the introductory weak faction so the player can become familiar with the game. The Senate will give the player missions to conquer these settlements, with a reward if they do. Generally, it is worth it to complete Senate missions in the beginning. Sometimes it’s better to ignore the missions if it won’t be immediately advantageous or puts the player into a war that they aren’t prepared for. Be careful about failing Senate missions too often though, because the Senate won’t like it, and the player becomes less popular with them. One Senate mission is worth ignoring, but that happens much later and begins the final act of the campaign. To achieve victory, the player needs to become the supreme ruler of Rome and control 50 provinces. As history suggests, that was not done peacefully. Yes, civil war is inevitable, so best to be prepared. Remember, all is fair in love and war, and the game is not called Total Love.

Expansion is crucial for victory, but it is important not to expand too quickly. If the player gets overextended, they may find their infrastructure crumbling. Enemies will begin capturing settlements, cities will rebel, and generals may find themselves in nearly unwinnable battles. Managing a large empire is no easy feat. Instead, build up slowly. Construct buildings that generate money or increase settlement growth. Send competent family members to govern large settlements. When they become available, construct buildings that add to public health, such as sewers. An unchecked plague is bad news for the empire.

Players should make it a goal to conquer as many settlements along the sea as possible. After all, troops can be moved much faster by sea than by land, enabling the player to reinforce armies quickly. Naval dominance ensures that enemies will not be able to do the same, so expect to build many ships in the mid-game. This will take the player a good way to those 50 provinces. Sea trade also brings in a lot of money, and money allows the player to build better buildings and raise more powerful armies.

Building a Brutii army in Total War: Rome Remastered

The campaign encompasses more than 280 years. Army units and tactics can change over time, but usually having a strong line of infantry supported by ranged units and a couple of cavalry units is what an army will look like. There are all sorts of stranger builds players can make like an army filled entirely of incendiary pigs. It’s probably not the most effective army and is definitely not the most historically accurate army, but it is hilarious and a bit cruel.

One of the most important aspects of any army is the general. The better he is at command (indicated by the stars), the more effective he makes the army in battle overall. An experienced general can win against an inexperienced one even when the odds are not in his favor. Besides, experienced generals have more bodyguards and better traits which can make the pre-battle speeches more exciting. They could even be decent in managing settlements in addition to their military prowess. Be sure to plan ahead because generals get old and die, provided they don’t die in battle first. It’s important to train up their successors before that happens.

Managing settlements is important, but so is fighting and winning battles. The Roman Empire did not become as large as it did through peaceful means. In a series called Total War, violence will come sooner or later, so it should be on the player’s terms.

What units a player brings to a fight should bring also depend on the composition of the enemy army. For example, if an enemy army is known to have many ranged units, try bringing more cavalry to run them down quickly. Since the Brutii will face the Greeks early on, expect to see many Hoplites and bring more ranged units to counter them. One advantage that Total War: Rome Remastered has over the more recent games in the series is that armies aren’t required to be led by a general, which means changing units out is much easier. Damaged units can be sent to a nearby friendly settlement to retrain without moving the main army.

Dealing with Brutii Family in Total War: Rome Remastered

The Brutii are all part of one family. Initially, there are only a few members, but as time goes on, the family will get bigger, either through marriage, birth, or adoption. The unwed women in the family will introduce suitors from time to time, and the player gets to take on the role of the judgmental parent. Make sure the potential husband has good traits. After all, he will become a controllable character, either managing a settlement or an army. Possibly he will even obtain an office in the Senate someday. If he doesn’t have good stats, you can reject him, and a new suitor is introduced in a few turns. The family has standards, after all.

Sometimes men of the family are born with terrible traits. They have no skills and managing settlements and are terrible at command. When this happens, it’s best to stick them in some far-off small town where they at least won’t be able to do much damage. Meanwhile, those with good traits should lead powerful armies or manage large settlements, all for the glory of Rome.

Total War: Rome Remastered is available now on macOS, Linux, and PC.

About The Author