Mascat Spear Infantry

Marib Spearmen

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 Marib Spearmen

Main Unit Key Ara_Spear3

Land Unit Key Ara_Spear3

Naval Unit Key persian_transport

Soldiers 160

Category Melee Infantry

Class Spear Infantry

Custom Battle Cost 790

Recruitment Cost 790

Upkeep Cost 85

Melee Attack 27

Weapon Damage 29

├ Melee Weapon rome_celtic_spear

├ Melee Damage Base 19

├ Melee Damage Ap 10

├ Armour Piercing No

├ Bonus vs. Large 15

├ Bonus vs Elephants 16

└ Bonus vs Infantry 0

Charge Bonus 29

Melee Defence 88

├ Base Defence 51

├ Shield oval

└ Shield Defence 37

Armour 85

├ Armour spolas

├ Armour Defence 52

└ Shield Armour 33

Health 70

├ Man Entity rome_infantry_heavy_fast

├ Man Health 55

└ Bonus Hit Points 15

Base Morale 55

Abilities

• Square
  The unit moves into a close square formation.
  Bracing, morale, melee defence
  Can't move
• Rapid Advance
  Improved unit movement speed over an extended period.
  Speed, acceleration, charge speed
  Exertion: fatigue
• Shield Screen
  The unit raises their shields in a static defensive formation.
  Bracing, melee defence, shield strength
  Can't move
• Frenzy
  Improves a unit's charge and weapon damage for an extended period.
  Charge damage, Weapon damage
  Exertion: fatigue

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

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

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

Requires Buildings
Lv. 1	Satrap Karka (east_city_satrap_4) Level 3 Royal Barracks (east_military_infantry_4) Level 3 Game Field (east_town_centre_game_4) Level 3 Master Trader (east_town_centre_trade_4) Level 3 Garrison Large Town (east_town_garrison_4) Level 3 Trade Large Town (east_town_trade_4) Level 3
Lv. 0	Infantry Quarters (east_military_infantry_3) Level 2 Garrison Town (east_town_garrison_3) Level 2 Trade Town (east_town_trade_3) Level 2

Faction Availability
Grand Campaign	Gerrhaea Himyar Ma'in Mascat Nabatea Qidri Arabian Rebels Saba
Imperator Augustus	Arabian Rebels (Imperator Augustus)