Can You Play as Athens in Rome 2?

By Anna Duncan

In Rome 2: Total War, players are given the opportunity to lead various factions and empires on the battlefield. One of the most iconic city-states of ancient Greece, Athens, is not initially playable in the base game.

However, fear not! There are ways to take control of this mighty city and guide it to victory.

Modding Athens into Playability

Thanks to the power of modding, players can unlock Athens as a playable faction within Rome 2: Total War. Mods are user-created modifications that alter or add new content to a game. In this case, modders have created mods specifically for unlocking Athens.

Step 1: Install Mod Manager

To begin your journey as Athens in Rome 2: Total War, you will need to install a mod manager. A popular choice is the “Total War Mod Manager” available for download from various websites. Once downloaded and installed, launch the mod manager.

Step 2: Find an Athens Unlock Mod

Next, you will need to find a mod that unlocks Athens as a playable faction. These mods can be found on popular modding websites such as Nexus Mods or through community forums dedicated to Rome 2: Total War mods.

Step 3: Download and Activate the Mod

Once you have found a suitable Athens unlock mod, download it to your computer. Open your mod manager and select “Add Mod.”

Navigate to the downloaded file and select it. The mod manager will then install the mod for you.

Step 4: Launch Rome 2: Total War with Mods

With the Athens unlock mod installed, you can now launch Rome 2: Total War with mods enabled. Launching the game through the mod manager ensures that the mods are active and ready for use.

Step 5: Select Athens as Your Faction

Once in the game, navigate to the faction selection screen. Here, you will find Athens listed as a playable faction. Select Athens and embark on your conquest of ancient Greece!

Playing as Athens

Now that you have successfully unlocked Athens as a playable faction, it’s time to delve into their unique strengths and challenges.

Athens’ Strengths

  • Cultural Powerhouse: Athens boasts a rich cultural heritage, excelling in arts, philosophy, and architecture. This cultural prowess can provide various benefits in diplomacy and public order management.
  • Navy Superiority: With its strategic coastal location, Athens possesses a formidable navy.

    Leverage this advantage to dominate the seas and support your land campaigns.

  • Economic Prosperity: The fertile lands surrounding Athens provide ample opportunities for economic growth. Develop trade routes and establish prosperous cities to fuel your empire’s expansion.

Athens’ Challenges

  • Risk of Invasion: Located at the crossroads of powerful empires, Athens is constantly under the threat of invasion. Be prepared to defend your territories from aggressive neighbors.
  • Poor Infantry: While excelling in naval warfare and cultural influence, Athens lacks strong infantry units compared to other factions.

    Utilize your strengths wisely while compensating for this weakness.

  • Diplomatic Complexities: As a prominent city-state amidst rival factions, navigating diplomatic relations can be complex. Forge alliances, manipulate the political landscape, and choose your friends and enemies carefully.

Conclusion

Unlocking Athens as a playable faction in Rome 2: Total War allows players to experience the might of this ancient Greek city-state firsthand. With its cultural prestige, naval power, and economic opportunities, Athens presents an engaging challenge for those seeking to reshape history on the battlefields of ancient Greece. So don your helmet, rally your troops, and lead Athens to glory!