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Pontikoi Thureophoroi Machairaphoroi PontosPontos Melee Infantry

Pontikoi Thureophoroi Machairaphoroi

(Pontic Thureos Swordsmen)

These warriors are a flexible skirmishing force, dangerous with their javelins from afar and effective in melee.

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.

Pontikoi Thureophoroi Machairaphoroi

Unit Name

Pontikoi Thureophoroi Machairaphoroi

Main Unit Key

Pon_Thureos_Sword

Land Unit Key

Pon_Thureos_Sword

Naval Unit Key

pel_transport

Soldiers

200

Category

Melee Infantry

Class

Melee Infantry

Custom Battle Cost

622

Recruitment Cost

622

Upkeep Cost

124

Missile Damage

11

├ Missile Weapon

prec1

├ Projectile

prec1

├ Missile Damage

11

├ Missile Ap Damage

0

└ Base Reload Time

10

Accuracy

5

Range

80

Reload

0

Shots Per Minute

6

Ammunition

1

Melee Attack

36

Weapon Damage

10

├ Melee Weapon

gsword2

├ Weapon Damage

10

├ Weapon Deadliness

0

├ Armour Piercing

No

├ Bonus vs. Cavalry

0

├ Bonus vs. Elephants

0

└ Bonus vs Infantry

0

Charge Bonus

10

Melee Defence

71

├ Base Defence

19

├ Shield

shield5

└ Shield Defence

52

Armour

3

├ Armour

arm1

├ Armour Defence

3

└ Shield Armour

0

Health

20

├ Man Entity

medium_light

├ Man Health

20

└ Bonus Hit Points

0

Base Morale

55

Abilities

Pontikoi Thureophoroi Machairaphoroi
  • Stamina (average)
    Governs how fast the unit tires and restores fatigue, and is dependent on type of unit, weight and approach to combat.
  • Throw Javelin (light)
    The unit throws its javelins towards a spot causing damage to everyone in the area of effect
    NOTE: you cannot throw javelins when you are inside a formation

Attributes

  • Disciplined
    This unit does not suffer a morale penalty when the general dies. It can also rally after routing more often.
  • 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
Pontikoi Thureophoroi Machairaphoroi
  • Good attack
  • Average defence
  • Average damage but low armour penetration
  • Normal morale
Requires Buildings
Pontikoi Thureophoroi Machairaphoroi Lv. 0 Muster Field
Muster Field
(rom_HELLENIC_military_main_1)
Level 0
Holosideros Barracks
Holosideros Barracks
(rom_HELLENIC_military_main_heavy_2)
Level 1
Hoplite Barracks
Hoplite Barracks
(rom_HELLENIC_military_main_heavy_3)
Level 2
Pontikoi Thureophoroi Machairaphoroi Lv. 1 Royal Barracks
Royal Barracks
(rom_HELLENIC_military_main_heavy_4)
Level 3
Faction Availability
Grand Campaign
Imperator Augustus