Liguria (Hannibal at the Gates) Spear Infantry

Venetic Shield Bearers

Medium spearmen that can take a punishing charge.

While Celts often lacked the formal organisations and tactics of their more 'civilised' opponents, they did have extremely able metalworkers, and long experience as mercenaries. In battle, they were not outmatched on an individual level by Romans or Greeks. Celts often favoured the spear in battle. It is a simple weapon, and a typical Celtic warrior might carry several into a fight: lighter javelins to hurl at the enemy on the approach or charge, and sometimes an iron-tipped spear for close combat. Some spears were crafted with barbed tips to cause further damage as they were pulled from wounds. Spears were also convenient for displaying trophies, in the shape of rotting enemy heads. This bloody appearance by the Celts, and a ferocious appetite for battle, was often enough to un-man opponents. Celtic warriors would send a chorus of chants, taunts and insults aimed towards foes, and blow their unearthly-sounding 'carnyx' battle horns. The whole display was intended to frighten foes, and put the warriors into the right frame of mind for battle.

Abilities

Venetic Shield Bearers

• Frenzied Charge
  Increases the effectiveness of the unit's charge for an extended period. The unit will suffer a large fatigue penalty after the charge is over.
  Charge speed, charge damage, acceleration
  Melee defence, fatigue
• Shieldwall
  The unit moves into a close formation and raises shields.
  Armour strength, bracing, melee defence, shield strength
  Limited speed
• Cavalry Counter-tactics
  Improves unit's ability to endure enemy cavalry charges for an extended time.
  Bonus vs mounted units

Attributes

• Expert Charge Defence
  This unit’s melee attack and damage are increased against charging enemies.
• 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

Venetic Shield Bearers

• Good defensive unit
• Low damage but average armour penetration
• Average attack
• Normal morale

Liguria (Hannibal at the Gates) Units
General (3)
1.Noble Horse
2.Oathsworn
3.Spear Nobles
Melee Infantry (11)
4.Axe Warriors
5.Oathsworn
6.Short Swords
7.Celtic Axe Warriors
8.Celtic Sword Killers
9.Young Guerrillas
10.Rhaetic Axe Warriors
11.Heavy Swordsmen
12.Chosen Infantry
13.Venetic Axes
14.Lugurian Swords
Missile Infantry (7)
15.Celtic Skirmishers
16.Celtic Slingers
17.Celtic Hunters
18.Ligurian Peltasts
19.Sardinian Archers
20.Venetic Javelinmen
21.Longbow Warriors
Pike Infantry (2)
22.Alpine Phalanx
23.Helvetii Noble Phalanx
Spear Infantry (10)
24.Spear Nobles
25.Spear Warriors
26.Celtic Tribesmen
27.Oathsworn Spears
28.Caturiges Warriors
29.Ligurian Infantry
30.Noricum Spearmen
31.Venetic Hoplites
32.Venetic Spears
33.Venetic Shield Bearers
Melee Cavalry (5)
34.Light Horse
35.Noble Horse
36.Heavy Axe Riders
37.Mounted Axemen
38.Ligurian Horsemen
Missile Cavalry (2)
39.Venetic Cavalry
40.Venetic Raiders
Fixed Artillery (3)
41.Celtic Giant Ballista
42.Celtic Bastion Scorpion
43.Celtic Scorpion (Fixed)
Field Artillery (6)
44.Celtic Bastion Ballista
45.Celtic Ballista
46.Celtic Scorpion
47.Celtic Heavy Onager
48.Celtic Bastion Onager
49.Celtic Onager
Admiral (2)
50.Heavy Raider - Oathsworn
51.Medium Missile Raider - Celtic Slingers
Melee Ship (4)
52.Heavy Raider - Oathsworn
53.Persian Assault Teteres - Spear Warriors
54.Medium Assault Raider - Short Swords
55.Assault Raider - Celtic Tribesmen
Missile Ship (2)
56.Medium Missile Raider - Celtic Slingers
57.Missile Raider - Celtic Slingers
Artillery Ship (2)
58.Roman Light Artillery Quinquereme - Celtic Ballista (Ship)
59.Roman Artillery Quinquereme - Celtic Onager (Ship)