Rome Melee Infantry

Praetorians

The word 'praetorian' comes from the elite guards of the Praetor, the commanding general. Founded in the 6th century BC, the cohors praetoria consisted of the hand-picked infantry or cavalry who guarded their general and his command tent. At first, they were recruited exclusively from among Roman citizens, but later other Latin peoples were allowed to join. The praetorians enjoyed prestigious status in the Roman army and, when Augustus came to power, they were the only soldiers allowed inside Rome. Augustus anticipated that they could be used politically as well as militarily, something of a gamble for the new Emperor, as he was keen to assert the Republican nature of his regime. Barracked just outside Rome, the praetorians were charged with keeping order during all public events. Later, as the Imperial bodyguard, they served in military campaigns only when the Emperor himself was present. This happened frequently as later Emperors emerged from the ranks of the army during the 1st century AD.

Unit Name Praetorians

Main Unit Key Rom_Praetorians

Land Unit Key Rom_Praetorians

Naval Unit Key pel_transport

Soldiers 160

Category Melee Infantry

Class Melee Infantry

Custom Battle Cost 1280

Recruitment Cost 1280

Upkeep Cost 200

Missile Damage 30

├ Missile Weapon rome_pilum_heavy

├ Projectile pilum_heavy

├ Missile Damage 20

├ Missile Ap Damage 10

└ Base Reload Time 15

Accuracy 5

Range 40

Reload 0

Shots Per Minute 4

Ammunition 2

Melee Attack 65

Weapon Damage 39

├ Melee Weapon rome_gladius_elite

├ Melee Damage Base 34

├ Melee Damage Ap 5

├ Armour Piercing No

├ Bonus vs. Large 0

├ Bonus vs Elephants 0

└ Bonus vs Infantry 0

Charge Bonus 19

Melee Defence 55

├ Base Defence 30

├ Shield scutum_marian

└ Shield Defence 25

Armour 85

├ Armour mail_improved

├ Armour Defence 45

└ Shield Armour 40

Health 65

├ Man Entity rome_infantry_very_heavy

├ Man Health 45

└ Bonus Hit Points 20

Base Morale 70

Abilities

• Attacking Testudo
  The troops of this unit raise their shields above their heads in a defensive formation.
  Protection against missiles
  Limited speed
• Use the Whip
  Improved attack and fatigue resistance for a short time.
  Melee attack, weapon damage, fatigue resistance
  Exertion: fatigue

Attributes

• Disciplined
  This unit does not suffer a morale penalty when the general dies. It can also rally after routing more often.
• Encourage
  This unit provides a morale bonus to nearby allies.
• 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.

Strengths & Weaknesses

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

• Very good attack
• Average defence
• Average damage but low armour penetration
• Good morale

Upgrade
Required Technology Cost 300 Upgrade To
Requires Buildings
Lv. 0	Cohort Barracks (rome_military_main_3) Level 2 Legionary Barracks (rome_military_main_4) Level 3

Garrison Buildings
x 1	Legionary Barracks (rome_military_main_4) Level 3

Faction Availability
Grand Campaign	Rome Senate loyalists Senate Secessionists Slaves
Samnite Wars	Lucania (Samnite Wars) Rome (Samnite Wars) Rome (Samnite Wars)
Imperator Augustus	Antony's Rome (Imperator Augustus) Antony's Rivals (Imperator Augustus) Antony's Secessionists (Imperator Augustus) Lepidus' Rome (Imperator Augustus) Lepidus' Rivals (Imperator Augustus) Lepidus' Secessionists (Imperator Augustus) Octavian's Rome (Imperator Augustus) Octavian's Rivals (Imperator Augustus) Octavian's Secessionists (Imperator Augustus) Pompey's Rome (Imperator Augustus) Pompey's Rivals (Imperator Augustus) Pompey's Secessionists (Imperator Augustus) Latin Rebels (Imperator Augustus)