Do these different factions' tier 1 combat units look "Different but balanced" to you?

[SeekerOfTruth007]

For reference, when rolling 4 or greater on attack dice that scores one "Hit" and reduces enemy HP by 1.

===

Legion (Roman)

Gold Cost: 50

Wood Cost: 0

Supply Cost: 2

Build Time: 2

HP: 2

Sight Radius: 5

Move: 4

Attack (Melee - Gladius): D12

Cargo Space: 2

Biological Infantry

VS

Berserker (Barbarian)

Gold Cost: 75

Wood Cost: 0

Supply Cost: 3

Build Time: 3

HP: 3

Sight Radius: 5

Move: 4

Attack (Melee - Hatchets): 2xD6

Cargo Space: 3

Biological Infantry

The idea here is to have a Historical Strategy game where there are two (or more) "Different, but Equal" factions to play. I was thinking the Barbarians should be bigger and stronger than the Romans, but the Romans should focus on precision and formation warfare.

Each faction would have different ranged units, polearm units, and cavalry units.

Here, the Barbarians will have a slight combat advantage at Tier 1, but the Romans will have a supply lines advantage to make up for it, so that their supply structures are more cost-effective.

Of course, the Barbarians won the actual historical war, but we don't need to be biased here.

What do you think of this change in design goals of my game?

[AnonAndrew]

Don't know how the game system works so I can't answer, sorry.

But you play the game yourself, right? Just look at the numbers and there's your answer, you don't need anyone else's help to do that. :)

[SeekerOfTruth007]

The rules and turn sequencing are the same as the simplified "battle of wits" strategy game in my MyTakes, if you're interested, it's a ten page read.

[SeekerOfTruth007]

I've theory-crafted this out 5 times now. Two times, two barbarians beat three Legions. Two times, 3 Legions beat 2 barbarians, and one time they all killed one another simultaneously. Seems pretty balanced to me.

[AnonAndrew]

@SeekerOfTruth007
Based on your calculations, it doesn't sound balanced.

Only thing I could nitpick is that your sample is very low at only n=5.

I'd put it into an AI bot and ask it to run a series of simulations. You could get massive amounts of data in minutes.

[AnonAndrew]

@SeekerOfTruth007
Sorry, I meant based on your calculations it DOES sound balanced.

[SeekerOfTruth007]

I tried that, but the AI didn't fully understand the combat system as I've described it. I don't know how to get an AI to test it by "brute force" as you suggested.

[AnonAndrew]

@SeekerOfTruth007
You just need to prompt it better. See where it made an error, and improve your instructions for that part.