

Principes
Wealthy, older Roman citizens, the principes are a heavy infantry force.It is probable that, following many engagements with the Samnites and a crushing defeat at the hands of the Gallic warlord Brennus, who both used lots of smaller, flexible units rather than large massed phalanxes, that the Romans learned the importance of flexibility and the inadequacy of the phalanx formation on the rough, hilly ground of central Italy. 'Principes' as a class of unit evolved from remnants of the old second army class following the reforms of Marcus Furius Camillus. Unlike the hastati, who were young warriors who fought on the frontlines, principes were older men in their prime with some experience behind them and sent into the fray to support the hastati only if they began to waver and break during battle.
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Unit Name Principes |
Main Unit Key inv_rom_principes |
Land Unit Key inv_rom_principes |
Naval Unit Key pel_transport |
Soldiers 160 |
Category Melee Infantry |
Class Spear Infantry |
Custom Battle Cost 900 |
Recruitment Cost 900 |
Upkeep Cost 180 |
Missile Damage 30 |
├ Missile Weapon rome_pilum |
├ Projectile pilum_normal |
├ 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 50 |
Weapon Damage 25 |
├ Melee Weapon rome_spear |
├ Melee Damage Base 20 |
├ Melee Damage Ap 5 |
├ Armour Piercing No |
├ Bonus vs. Large 20 |
├ Bonus vs Elephants 20 |
└ Bonus vs Infantry 0 |
Charge Bonus 35 |
Melee Defence 65 |
├ Base Defence 35 |
├ Shield scutum |
└ Shield Defence 30 |
Armour 60 |
├ Armour chest |
├ Armour Defence 25 |
└ Shield Armour 35 |
Health 55 |
├ Man Entity rome_infantry_medium |
├ Man Health 40 |
└ Bonus Hit Points 15 |
Base Morale 45 |
Abilities
No Ability
Attributes
- 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
- Very good defensive unit
- Low damage but average armour penetration
- Average attack
- Good morale
Recuitment Requirement | |
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Required Technology ![]() ![]() | |
Requires Buildings | |
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Castrum
(inv_rom_military_recruitment_3) Level 2 ![]()
Barracks
(inv_rom_military_recruitment_4) Level 3 |
Faction Availability | |
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Rise of the Republic |