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Praetorians SlavesSlaves Melee Infantry

Praetorians

Hand-picked heavy infantry, well used to all kinds of combat.

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.

Praetorians Praetorians Praetorians Praetorians
Praetorians

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

Praetorians
  • 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

Transport
  • Very poor hull strength
  • Very slow speed
  • Weak ramming
Praetorians
  • Very good attack
  • Average defence
  • Average damage but low armour penetration
  • Good morale
Upgrade
Required Technology Professional Soldiery Cost 300 Upgrade To Praetorian Guard
Requires Buildings
Praetorians Lv. 0 Cohort Barracks
Cohort Barracks
(rome_military_main_3)
Level 2
Legionary Barracks
Legionary Barracks
(rome_military_main_4)
Level 3
Garrison Buildings
Praetorians x 1 Legionary Barracks
Legionary Barracks
(rome_military_main_4)
Level 3