Athens Melee Infantry

Athenian Finest

These skirmishers were named for their small crescent-shaped leather or wicker shields or 'peltai'. It was a common habit to name troops for their shield style in the Greek world. They wore little or no armour and carried three javelins. After harassing the enemy by flinging javelins, they would hastily retreat before any counter-charge or flanking move could be carried out. As armies developed and tactics became more complex, peltasts were expected to take part in hand-to-hand combat: with such expectation they were given stiffened linen cuirasses and short swords. They were still expected to use javelins, but could then join in the close fighting. Eventually, peltasts even exchanged their characteristic shield for the heavier thureos. Their name and battlefield function remained unchanged.

Unit Name Athenian Finest

Main Unit Key Gre_Athen_Finest

Land Unit Key Gre_Athen_Finest

Naval Unit Key greek_transport

Soldiers 160

Category Melee Infantry

Class Melee Infantry

Custom Battle Cost 850

Recruitment Cost 850

Upkeep Cost 100

Melee Attack 41

Weapon Damage 38

├ Melee Weapon rome_celtic_hellenic_sword_elite

├ Melee Damage Base 33

├ Melee Damage Ap 5

├ Armour Piercing No

├ Bonus vs. Large 0

├ Bonus vs Elephants 0

└ Bonus vs Infantry 7

Charge Bonus 28

Melee Defence 97

├ Base Defence 62

├ Shield thureos

└ Shield Defence 35

Armour 92

├ Armour mail

├ Armour Defence 57

└ Shield Armour 35

Health 80

├ Man Entity rome_infantry_very_heavy

├ Man Health 60

└ Bonus Hit Points 20

Base Morale 65

Abilities

• Shieldwall
  The unit moves into a close formation and raises shields.
  Armour strength, bracing, melee defence, shield strength
  Limited speed
• Use the Whip
  Improved attack and fatigue resistance for a short time.
  Melee attack, weapon damage, fatigue resistance
  Exertion: fatigue
• Rapid Advance
  Improved unit movement speed over an extended period.
  Speed, acceleration, charge speed
  Exertion: fatigue

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.
• Hide (forest)
  This unit can hide in forests until enemy units get too close.

Strengths & Weaknesses

• Very poor hull strength
• Very slow speed
• Weak ramming

• Very good attack
• Average defence
• Average damage but low armour penetration
• Good morale

Requires Buildings
Lv. 1	Royal Barracks (greek_military_heavy_4) Level 3

Faction Availability
Grand Campaign	Athens