

Samnite Armoured Spearmen
Samnites favour lighter armour than Greeks, for they prefer ease of movement to massed phalanxes.The Samnites were a confederation of four ancient Italic tribes: the Hirpini, Caudini, Caraceni and Pentri, who resided in Samnium, in south-central Italy, but are thought to have Sabine roots in the Apennine mountains. The Samnites were a hardy, warlike people, adept at fighting on Italy's uneven hillside terrain. Their manipular formations, in contrast to the phalanx-style combat prevalent across the peninsula, were much better suited to engagements in difficult territory and were the main reason for the Samnites' expansion into Campania. Samnite warriors were as honourable as they were fierce - the notion of slavery was alien to them and they instead chose to live as a society of free men. During the 5th century BC, the Samnites expanded into southern Italy, capturing the Etruscan cities of Capua and Cumae and establishing themselves in Campania. Their way of life made for strong alliances with the mounted nobles of Campania, the Lucanian warriors to the south, and other warlike tribes residing in Samnite lands.
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Unit Name Samnite Armoured Spearmen |
Main Unit Key inv_sam_armoured_spearmen |
Land Unit Key inv_sam_armoured_spearmen |
Naval Unit Key pel_transport |
Soldiers 160 |
Category Melee Infantry |
Class Spear Infantry |
Custom Battle Cost 800 |
Recruitment Cost 800 |
Upkeep Cost 160 |
Melee Attack 30 |
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 10 |
Melee Defence 55 |
├ Base Defence 30 |
├ Shield oval |
└ Shield Defence 25 |
Armour 65 |
├ Armour chest_improved |
├ Armour Defence 30 |
└ Shield Armour 35 |
Health 55 |
├ Man Entity rome_infantry_heavy |
├ Man Health 40 |
└ Bonus Hit Points 15 |
Base Morale 50 |
Abilities
Samnite Armoured Spearmen- Shieldwall
The unit moves into a close formation and raises shields.
Armour strength, bracing, melee defence, shield strength
Limited speed
Attributes
- 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
- Good defensive unit
- Low damage but average armour penetration
- Average attack
- Normal morale
Requires Buildings | |
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Proving Grounds
(inv_ita_military_3) Level 2 ![]()
Hall of Champions
(inv_ita_military_4) Level 3 |
Faction Availability | |
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Rise of the Republic |