Desert Axemen
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 Desert Axemen |
Main Unit Key Mro_Desert_Axemen |
Land Unit Key Mro_Desert_Axemen |
Naval Unit Key egyptian_transport |
Soldiers 160 |
Category Melee Infantry |
Class Melee Infantry |
Custom Battle Cost 540 |
Recruitment Cost 540 |
Upkeep Cost 75 |
Melee Attack 27 |
34 |
├ Melee Weapon rome_eastern_axe |
├ Melee Damage Base 16 |
├ Melee Damage Ap 18 |
├ Armour Piercing Yes |
├ Bonus vs. Large 0 |
├ Bonus vs Elephants 0 |
└ Bonus vs Infantry 0 |
Charge Bonus 26 |
58 |
├ Base Defence 32 |
├ Shield pelta |
└ Shield Defence 26 |
52 |
├ Armour cloth |
├ Armour Defence 27 |
└ Shield Armour 25 |
65 |
├ Man Entity rome_infantry_medium_fast |
├ Man Health 55 |
└ Bonus Hit Points 10 |
Base Morale 45 |
Abilities
Desert Axemen- Headhunt
Gradual increase in effectiveness of the unit's attack.
Melee attack, morale
Melee defence - Rapid Advance
Improved unit movement speed over an extended period.
Speed, acceleration, charge speed
Exertion: fatigue
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
Transport- Very poor hull strength
- Very slow speed
- Weak ramming
- Good attack
- Average defence
- Average damage but low armour penetration
- Normal morale
Faction Availability | |
---|---|
Grand Campaign | |
Hannibal at the Gates | |
Imperator Augustus |