Pontus Pike Infantry

Bronze Shield Pikemen

In the hands of an expert the sarissa pike is a deadly weapon.

An elite phalanx of pikemen, the Bronze Shields were modelled on their hoplite forebears and, subsequently, the Alexandrian pike reforms. Their most distinctive feature, and the one which gave them their name, was their bronze shield, emblazoned with the name of their king. Although fighting in the style of Alexandrian phalangites, they probably wore a uniform of Persian origin. This would include a reinforced cuirass of scales or stiffened linen, bronze helm, and probably a patterned tunic and trousers. Their main weapon was the sarissa, a pike of up to 22 feet in length. As this required both hands, a neck strap in addition to a loop over their left arm would support their heavy bronze shields. In close order, phalanxes, such as the Bronze Shields, presented an impenetrable wall to the front, pushing back or pinning an enemy so that it could then be flanked and broken by cavalry.

Abilities

Bronze Shield Pikemen

• Pike Phalanx
  The unit moves into a deep, close defensive formation.
  Bonus vs cavalry, bracing
  Limited speed

Attributes

• Disciplined
  This unit does not suffer a morale penalty when the general dies. It can also rally after routing more often.
• 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

Bronze Shield Pikemen

• Very good defensive unit
• Low damage but average armour penetration
• Average attack
• Good morale
• Very vulnerable when not in phalanx

Pontus Units
General (4)
1.Pontic Swordsmen
2.Bronze Shield Pikemen
3.Pontic Royal Cavalry
4.Scythed Chariots
Melee Infantry (3)
5.Hillmen
6.Mob
7.Pontic Swordsmen
Missile Infantry (4)
8.Eastern Archers
9.Eastern Javelinmen
10.Pontic Peltasts
11.Eastern Slingers
Pike Infantry (3)
12.Bronze Shield Pikemen
13.Levy Pikemen
14.Pikemen
Spear Infantry (3)
15.Eastern Spearmen
16.Hoplites
17.Thureos Spears
Melee Cavalry (3)
18.Cappadocian Cavalry
19.Noble Blood Cavalry
20.Citizen Cavalry
Missile Cavalry (1)
21.Horse Skirmishers
Shock Cavalry (1)
22.Pontic Royal Cavalry
Chariot (1)
23.Scythed Chariots
Fixed Artillery (3)
24.Eastern Giant Ballista
25.Eastern Bastion Scorpion
26.Eastern Scorpion (Fixed)
Field Artillery (7)
27.Eastern Bastion Ballista
28.Eastern Ballista
29.Eastern Scorpion
30.Eastern Large Onager
31.Eastern Bastion Onager
32.Eastern Onager
33.Scorpion Pot Ballista
Admiral (3)
34.Tower Penteres - Eastern Archers
35.Assault Tetreres - Hillmen
36.Tower Hexeres - Pontic Swordsmen
Melee Ship (5)
37.Assault Tetreres - Hillmen
38.Tower Hexeres - Pontic Swordsmen
39.Assault Hexeres - Pontic Swordsmen
40.Fire Pot Dieres - Thureos Spears
41.Assault Dieres - Thureos Spears
Missile Ship (7)
42.Scorpion Penteres - Eastern Archers
43.Tower Penteres - Eastern Archers
44.Missile Penteres - Eastern Archers
45.Scorpion Trieres - Eastern Archers
46.Missile Trieres - Eastern Archers
47.Raiding Hemiolia - Eastern Javelinmen
48.Pursuit Trihemiolia - Pontic Peltasts
Artillery Ship (2)
49.Light Artillery Penteres - Eastern Ballista (Ship)
50.Artillery Penteres - Eastern Onager (Ship)