Sakastan (Empire Divided) Melee Infantry

Persian Swordsmen

In contrast to their European opponents, eastern armies generally had lighter equipment. This was a function of the terrain and climate of their homelands, which naturally favoured irregular combat. As a result, traditional Persian warfare favoured skirmishing with few close combat engagements. Heavy armour was impractical in such conditions, as the oppressive eastern heat hampered soldiers already weighed down by chainmail or scales. Also, the metal needed to produce it was not cheap at the time. As eastern forces encountered heavier European warriors for the first time, the difference in equipment had a large impact on their way of battle. Under Sassanid rule, the Persian army was properly prepared for the expansion into southern Europe, as the reconquest of this land was high on the Shah's list of priorities - he wished to wipe out the stigma of his ancestor Xerxes' defeat at Greek hands, almost 1000 years before. In order to fight Rome's Legions effectively, eastern warriors began to be equipped with bulkier armour and heavier weapons such as axes and longer metal swords, rather than spears and javelins.

Unit Name Persian Swordsmen

Main Unit Key 3c_Per_Persian_Swordsmen

Land Unit Key 3c_Per_Persian_Swordsmen

Naval Unit Key 3c_pel_transport

Soldiers 160

Category Melee Infantry

Class Melee Infantry

Custom Battle Cost 380

Recruitment Cost 380

Upkeep Cost 75

Missile Damage 32

├ Missile Weapon rome_javelin_precursor

├ Projectile javelin_prec

├ Missile Damage 20

├ Missile Ap Damage 12

└ Base Reload Time 15

Accuracy 5

Range 40

Reload 0

Shots Per Minute 4

Ammunition 2

Melee Attack 32

Weapon Damage 34

├ Melee Weapon rome_eastern_sword

├ Melee Damage Base 30

├ Melee Damage Ap 4

├ Armour Piercing No

├ Bonus vs. Large 0

├ Bonus vs Elephants 0

└ Bonus vs Infantry 0

Charge Bonus 28

Melee Defence 47

├ Base Defence 22

├ Shield thureos

└ Shield Defence 25

Armour 75

├ Armour mail

├ Armour Defence 40

└ Shield Armour 35

Health 50

├ Man Entity rome_infantry_medium

├ Man Health 40

└ Bonus Hit Points 10

Base Morale 35

Abilities

No Ability

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

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

• Long range
• Average rate of fire
• Fast moving
• Good damage but low armour penetration
• Very weak in melee
• Very poor morale

Faction Availability
Empire Divided	Margiana (Empire Divided) Media (Empire Divided) Sakastan (Empire Divided)