Sayyafin
(Nabataean Thureos Swordmen)Thureophoroi are a new class of Hellenic infantry that is able to both skirmish and fight in melee effectively. These men comprise an extremely mobile force that can hit hard with their heavy javelins then rush in to flank enemy units. They are well armed and armoured for the task, having bronze helms, scale armour, an oval shaped thureos shield, and a sword.
The thureos, a large oval-shaped shield, became common throughout the Hellenistic world from the 3rd century BC. Made from wood covered in hide, it differed from the earlier Greek hoplon in having a central handgrip, which was protected by a vertical spine running the length of the shield. This in turn could be further reinforced by the addition of a wide metal strip that protected the grip and the user’s hand. Inspired by the sub-rectangular and oval shields of the Celts, possibly through contact with the migrating Galatians, its usage seems to have spread through the Illyrian and Thracian tribes before it was adopted by the Greeks. Although large, the thureos was light in comparison to the traditional hoplon, and was adopted by heavily-armoured peltasts. Named after their shields, 'thureophoroi' could fight as common peltasts, skirmishing with javelins, but could also form up with their larger shields and longer spears in a similar fashion to a phalanx. The versatile and useful design of the thureos meant it was used by many armies, including the auxiliaries and cavalry of the later Roman Legions.
Unit Name Sayyafin |
Main Unit Key nab_thureos_soldiers |
Land Unit Key nab_thureos_soldiers |
Naval Unit Key pel_transport |
Soldiers 200 |
Category Melee Infantry |
Class Melee Infantry |
Custom Battle Cost 1075 |
Recruitment Cost 1075 |
Upkeep Cost 215 |
12 |
├ Missile Weapon prec2 |
├ Projectile prec2 |
├ Missile Damage 12 |
├ Missile Ap Damage 0 |
└ Base Reload Time 10 |
Accuracy 5 |
Range 80 |
Reload 0 |
Shots Per Minute 6 |
Ammunition 4 |
Melee Attack 36 |
10 |
├ Melee Weapon gsword3 |
├ Weapon Damage 10 |
├ Weapon Deadliness 0 |
├ Armour Piercing No |
├ Bonus vs. Cavalry 0 |
├ Bonus vs. Elephants 0 |
└ Bonus vs Infantry 0 |
Charge Bonus 11 |
74 |
├ Base Defence 22 |
├ Shield shield5 |
└ Shield Defence 52 |
12 |
├ Armour arm7 |
├ Armour Defence 12 |
└ Shield Armour 0 |
20 |
├ Man Entity medium_medium |
├ Man Health 20 |
└ Bonus Hit Points 0 |
Base Morale 55 |
Abilities
Sayyafin- Stamina (good)
Governs how fast the unit tires and restores fatigue, and is dependent on type of unit, weight and approach to combat.
Attributes
- Disciplined
This unit does not suffer a morale penalty when the general dies. It can also rally after routing more often. - 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
Transport- Very poor hull strength
- Very slow speed
- Weak ramming
- Very good attack
- Average defence
- Average damage but low armour penetration
- Good morale
Faction Availability | |
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Grand Campaign | |
Imperator Augustus |