Ardhan (Imperator Augustus) Spear Infantry

Noble Spearmen

The thureos, a large oval-shaped shield, became common throughout the Hellenistic world from the 3rd century BC. Made from wood covered in hide, it differed from the earlier Greek hoplon in having a central handgrip, which was protected by a vertical spine running the length of the shield. This in turn could be further reinforced by the addition of a wide metal strip that protected the grip and the user’s hand. Inspired by the sub-rectangular and oval shields of the Celts, possibly through contact with the migrating Galatians, its usage seems to have spread through the Illyrian and Thracian tribes before it was adopted by the Greeks. Although large, the thureos was light in comparison to the traditional hoplon, and was adopted by heavily-armoured peltasts. Named after their shields, 'thureophoroi' could fight as common peltasts, skirmishing with javelins, but could also form up with their larger shields and longer spears in a similar fashion to a phalanx. The versatile and useful design of the thureos meant it was used by many armies, including the auxiliaries and cavalry of the later Roman Legions.

Unit Name Noble Spearmen

Main Unit Key Eas_Noble_Spear

Land Unit Key Eas_Noble_Spear

Naval Unit Key pel_transport

Soldiers 160

Category Melee Infantry

Class Spear Infantry

Custom Battle Cost 850

Recruitment Cost 850

Upkeep Cost 150

Melee Attack 32

Weapon Damage 29

├ Melee Weapon rome_spear_elite

├ Melee Damage Base 24

├ Melee Damage Ap 5

├ Armour Piercing No

├ Bonus vs. Large 20

├ Bonus vs Elephants 20

└ Bonus vs Infantry 0

Charge Bonus 24

Melee Defence 51

├ Base Defence 36

├ Shield hoplite

└ Shield Defence 15

Armour 85

├ Armour scale

├ Armour Defence 40

└ Shield Armour 45

Health 60

├ Man Entity rome_infantry_heavy_fast

├ Man Health 40

└ Bonus Hit Points 20

Base Morale 60

Abilities

• Hoplite Wall
  The unit moves into close wall formation.
  Bracing, melee defence, shield strength
  Acceleration, speed
• Frenzied Charge
  Increases the effectiveness of the unit's charge for an extended period. The unit will suffer a large fatigue penalty after the charge is over.
  Charge speed, charge damage, acceleration
  Melee defence, fatigue

Attributes

• Disciplined
  This unit does not suffer a morale penalty when the general dies. It can also rally after routing more often.
• Formation Attack
  The unit will try to stay in formation when in melee.
• Hide (forest)
  This unit can hide in forests until enemy units get too close.
• Resistant to Heat
  This unit tires less quickly in the desert.

Strengths & Weaknesses

• Very poor hull strength
• Very slow speed
• Weak ramming

• Very good defensive unit
• Low damage but average armour penetration
• Average attack
• Good morale

Requires Buildings
Lv. 0	Royal Barracks (east_military_infantry_4) Level 3

Garrison Buildings
x 1	Infantry Quarters (east_military_infantry_3) Level 2
x 2	Royal Barracks (east_military_infantry_4) Level 3

Faction Availability
Grand Campaign	Armenia Armenian Nobles Armenian Secessionists Ardhan Kartli
Imperator Augustus	Armenia (Imperator Augustus) Armenian Nobles (Imperator Augustus) Armenian Secessionists (Imperator Augustus) Ardhan (Imperator Augustus) Kartli (Imperator Augustus)