Ardiaei Melee Infantry

Illyrian Expert Swords

These fierce soldiers have honed the skill of the blade over many years, and are more than willing to use that skill to cut through any enemy defense.

The longsword was a weapon of high worth and status within the Celtic community. A warrior had to prove himself in battle many times before he was permitted to wield one. The two-handed longsword was first developed during the 8th century BC, but fell from favour before re-emerging around 450BC. It is possible that Celtic ironwork was significantly behind that of the Romans, as apparently their longswords bent very easily and had to be straightened against the ground. On the other hand, since Celtic ironworking was several centuries old, some believe that Roman accounts of this practice mistook this practise, and it was actually a ritual to 'decommission' defeated, dishonoured or damaged weapons.

Abilities

Illyrian Expert Swords

• Rapid Advance
  Improved unit movement speed over an extended period.
  Speed, acceleration, charge speed
  Exertion: fatigue
• Headhunt
  Gradual increase in effectiveness of the unit's attack.
  Melee attack, morale
  Melee defence
• Frenzy
  Improves a unit's charge and weapon damage for an extended period.
  Charge damage, Weapon damage
  Exertion: fatigue

Attributes

• 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

Transport

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

Illyrian Expert Swords

• Good attack
• Average defence
• Average damage but low armour penetration
• Normal morale

Ardiaei Units
General (5)
1.Illyrian Cavalry
2.Illyrian Hoplites
3.Illyrian Noble Hoplites
4.Illyrian Expert Swords
5.Illyrian Mounted Swordmasters
Melee Infantry (9)
6.Illyrian Levies
7.Illyrian Raiders
8.Illyro-Italian Infantry Cohort
9.Taulantian Noble Guard
10.Illyrian Infantry
11.Veteran Illyrian Infantry
12.Illyrian Levy Footmen
13.Grosphomachoi
14.Illyrian Expert Swords
Missile Infantry (4)
15.Slave Javelinmen
16.Slave Slingers
17.Illyro-Italian Bow Auxiliaries
18.Illyrian Archers
Spear Infantry (11)
19.Illyrian Hoplites
20.Illyrian Marines
21.Illyrian Noble Hoplites
22.Illyrian Spearmen
23.Illyrian Thureos Spears
24.Illyrian Tribesmen
25.Illyrian Spear Warband
26.Corcyran Free-Company Spearmen
27.Sibunetes
28.Molossian Shieldsworn
29.Illyrian Disciplined Spearmen
Melee Cavalry (4)
30.Illyrian Cavalry
31.Illyrian Light Cavalry
32.Illyrian Mounted Swordmasters
33.Illyrian Spear Riders
Missile Cavalry (1)
34.Dardanian Bondsman Cavalry
Fixed Artillery (1)
35.Greek Bastion Scorpion
Field Artillery (5)
36.Greek Bastion Ballista
37.Greek Ballista
38.Greek Scorpion
39.Greek Bastion Onager
40.Greek Onager
Special (1)
41.Molossian War Dogs
Admiral (2)
42.Scorpion Trieres - Slave Slingers
43.Assault Hexeres - Illyrian Thureos Spears
Melee Ship (7)
44.Assault Tetreres - Illyrian Marines
45.Assault Hexeres - Illyrian Marines
46.Assault Dieres - Illyrian Raiders
47.Assault Tetreres - Illyrian Spearmen
48.Assault Hexeres - Illyrian Thureos Spears
49.Fire Pot Dieres - Illyrian Tribesmen
50.Assault Dieres - Illyrian Tribesmen
Missile Ship (7)
51.Raiding Hemiolia - Slave Javelinmen
52.Pursuit Trihemiolia - Slave Javelinmen
53.Tower Penteres - Slave Slingers
54.Scorpion Penteres - Slave Slingers
55.Missile Penteres - Slave Slingers
56.Scorpion Trieres - Slave Slingers
57.Missile Trieres - Slave Slingers
Artillery Ship (2)
58.Light Artillery Penteres - Greek Ballista (Ship)
59.Artillery Penteres - Greek Onager (Ship)