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HomeHome / Total War: Attila / Tanukhids / Units / Desert Pikes
Desert Pikes TanukhidsTanukhids Pike Infantry

Desert Pikes

When cavalry is king, a wall of pikes evens the odds somewhat.

A two-handed spear or pike, varying from four to seven metres in length, became widely adopted in ancient armies. With an iron tip and a bronze butt-spike, which provided balance and could be dug into the ground to hold a charge, the pike was an effective weapon when used en masse. A tightly formed wall of pike-armed infantry presented an almost impenetrable barrier to other foot units and especially to cavalry, whose mounts would balk at the charge when faced with so many spearpoints. When advancing in close order against the enemy, each man occupied a square roughly 90cm to a side with the pike of the first five ranks projecting beyond. When defending they formed up even tighter, locking together with each man resting his shield on the man in front for greater stability. Such formations sacrificed manoeuvrability however, making their main weakness their flanks and rear.

Desert Pikes

Unit Name

Desert Pikes

Main Unit Key

att_des_es_desert_pikes

Land Unit Key

att_des_es_desert_pikes

Naval Unit Key

att_cor_heavy_rom

Soldiers

160

Category

Melee Infantry

Class

Pike Infantry

Custom Battle Cost

300

Recruitment Cost

300

Upkeep Cost

150

Melee Attack

21

Melee Damage

11

├ Melee Weapon

att_pike

├ Melee Base Damage

1

├ Armour-piercing Damage

10

├ Armour Piercing

No

├ Attack Against Cavalry

0

├ Attack Against Elephants

0

└ Attack Against Infantry

0

Charge Bonus

21

Melee Defence

16

├ Base Defence

11

├ Shield

att_arrow_shield

└ Shield Defence

5

Armour

8

├ Armour

att_cloth

├ Armour Defence

3

└ Shield Armour

5

Health

80

├ Man Entity

att_infantry_very_light

├ Man Health

75

└ Bonus Hit Points

5

Morale

34

Abilities

Desert Pikes
  • Sea Sickness
    As these men are inexperienced sailors. Caught up in sea combat, they suffer various penalties.
  • Pike Wall
    The unit moves into a deep, close defensive formation.
  • Rapid Advance
    Improved unit movement speed over an extended period.

Attributes

  • Resistant to Fatigue
    Fatigue has less of an effect on this unit.
  • Hide (forest)
    This unit can hide in forests until enemy units get too close.

Strengths & Weaknesses

No Strengths and Weaknesses
Upgrade
Required Technology Equipment Law Cost 106 Upgrade To Tanukhid Pikes
Requires Buildings
Desert Pikes Lv. 0 Levy Centre
Levy Centre
(att_bld_eastern_sassanid_military_minor_2)
Level 1
Militia Encampment
Militia Encampment
(att_bld_eastern_sassanid_military_minor_3)
Level 2
Militia Compound
Militia Compound
(att_bld_eastern_sassanid_military_minor_4)
Level 3
Recruitment Tents
Recruitment Tents
(att_bld_eastmig_military_1)
Level 0
Militia Quarters
Militia Quarters
(att_bld_eastmig_military_2)
Level 1
Cavalry Circle
Cavalry Circle
(att_bld_eastmig_military_cavalry_3)
Level 2
Drill Field
Drill Field
(att_bld_eastmig_military_inf_3)
Level 2
Victory Parade
Victory Parade
(att_bld_eastmig_military_infantry_4)
Level 3
Imperial Muster
Imperial Muster
(att_bld_eastmig_military_infantry_5)
Level 4
Faction Availability
Grand Campaign