I have a number of DLC ideas, two that existed pre-3K, and four that appeared post-3K. This is the first I managed to put some detail to. It’s also much easier to digest than “The Sea Peoples” which I’ll be posting separately to keep the specifics relatively contained and easy to follow.
Hope pasting from Word doesn’t do too much of a number on the formatting!
Post-3K: Iberian Wedding
Yes, I played Europa Universalis 4, perhaps too much for my own good.
Credits to LtAlguien for pointing out the current Spain uses the Realm of Castile shield, so the first faction below has been renamed to Asturias.
Asturias (Asturian)
This faction can also represent the descendant kingdoms of Leon, Castile, Asturias and Galicia, being the precursor to all those Christian kingdoms in northern Spain, as seen in the Charlemagne start in Crusader Kings 2. This would be the pre-gunpowder precursor to the Spanish we know. This would be an all-rounder, with arbalests, two-handed swordsmen, halberdiers and Cavaliers, but should lack cavalry archers, camels, hussars, and gunpowder. Considering they were much poorer and less profligate than the later Spain would become I don’t think their unit selection should be as gold-intensive. For example, I would seriously consider restricting the siege workshop to the starting lineup, but having a significant (up to 60%) gold discount in Imperial Age due to “scrimping on resources” (and perhaps a 20-40% gold discount on other units if Paladins aren’t available). Galleons should not be available yet, but fast fire ships and heavy demolition ships can be, and Dromons (or another pre-gunpowder naval siege unit). If seriously needed, Paladins can be available.
Aragon (Aragonese)
More naval oriented than Asturias, with weaker infantry tech (and definitely no Paladins) but should get hussars for good light cavalry. Considering Catalan independence movements remain a thing today, and they made up most of Aragon this seems reasonable as a faction to add.
Al-Andalus (Andalusian)
Better archery range than Asturias with heavy cavalry archers (most likely not fully upgraded), and they get heavy camels, but no Paladins. Has some trade and economy bonuses over Asturias, but infantry tech is restricted, and the reliance on more expensive units (without gold discounts) means you better hope you can win before gold runs out, or maintain strong trade routes after that.
Morocco (Moroccan)
We need to distinguish them from the other Berbers, who are to the east along the African coast, and the Mamluks (Saracens in the game) further east beyond the Berbers, but Morocco is distinct enough historically and culturally. Considering Morocco was the hub of trade in the Western Islamic world and controlled trade across the Western Sahara to Timbuktu, it seems reasonable to give them Caravanserai. Barracks yes Halberdiers, but no Champions (why do Berbers have Champions? Heavy infantry in the desert is laughable). Archery range gains Arbalests and loses Hand Cannons, Stable should lose Hussars compared to Berbers but gain Imperial Camel upgrade (due to having heavier camel forces than Berbers). For heavier cavalry, they top out at Cavalier or Elite Steppe Lancer. Logically Arab heavy cavalry used the same nomadic lamellar-chain over northern European chain-into-plate, so Steppe Lancers would fit fine here if we want. Siege workshop gains Siege Ram and loses Bombard Cannon (a bit earlier in the timeline than the current Berbers seem to show). Unique Unit can be Moroccan Raiders, fast, anti-siege and mildly anti-cavalry light infantry in the Amoravid army (probably Shock Infantry classification). Unique Imperial Age tech is probably something like “Maghrebi Siegecraft” which improves siege unit armor or accuracy, maybe +1 melee armor for siege units, and Onagers get Ballistics… With that, I don’t think they should gain Siege Onagers compared to Berbers or they might be too strong. As for the civ-specific bonuses, that should be left open to interpretation.