Pontus Melee Infantry

Pontic Noble Swordmen

Nobles are elite sword infantry, strong and steady.

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.

Abilities

Pontic Noble Swordmen

• Use the Whip
  Improved attack and fatigue resistance for a short time.
  Melee attack, weapon damage, fatigue resistance
  Exertion: fatigue
• Shieldwall
  The unit moves into a close formation and raises shields.
  Armour strength, bracing, melee defence, shield strength
  Limited speed
• 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

Transport

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

Pontic Noble Swordmen

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

Pontus Units
General (6)
1.Pontic Swordsmen
2.Bronze Shield Pikemen
3.Pontic Royal Cavalry
4.Scythed Chariots
5.Pontic Royal Infantry
6.Pontic Champions
Melee Infantry (11)
7.Hillmen
8.Mob
9.Pontic Swordsmen
10.Pontic Infantry
11.Pontic Royal Infantry
12.Pontic Armored Axemen
13.Pontic Masked Axemen
14.Pontic Masked Swordmen
15.Pontic Chosen Infantry
16.Pontic Noble Swordmen
17.Pontic Elite Swordmen
Missile Infantry (5)
18.Eastern Archers
19.Eastern Javelinmen
20.Pontic Peltasts
21.Eastern Slingers
22.Pontic Archers
Pike Infantry (3)
23.Bronze Shield Pikemen
24.Levy Pikemen
25.Pikemen
Spear Infantry (9)
26.Eastern Spearmen
27.Hoplites
28.Thureos Spears
29.Pontic Spearmen
30.Pontic Noble Spearmen
31.Pontic Veterans
32.Pontic Champions
33.Pontic Guard
34.Lions of Pontus
Melee Cavalry (5)
35.Cappadocian Cavalry
36.Noble Blood Cavalry
37.Citizen Cavalry
38.Pontic Heavy Cavalry
39.Pontic Noble Riders
Missile Cavalry (1)
40.Horse Skirmishers
Shock Cavalry (1)
41.Pontic Royal Cavalry
Chariot (1)
42.Scythed Chariots
Fixed Artillery (3)
43.Eastern Giant Ballista
44.Eastern Bastion Scorpion
45.Eastern Scorpion (Fixed)
Field Artillery (7)
46.Eastern Bastion Ballista
47.Eastern Ballista
48.Eastern Scorpion
49.Eastern Large Onager
50.Eastern Bastion Onager
51.Eastern Onager
52.Scorpion Pot Ballista
Admiral (3)
53.Tower Penteres - Eastern Archers
54.Assault Tetreres - Hillmen
55.Tower Hexeres - Pontic Swordsmen
Melee Ship (5)
56.Assault Tetreres - Hillmen
57.Tower Hexeres - Pontic Swordsmen
58.Assault Hexeres - Pontic Swordsmen
59.Fire Pot Dieres - Thureos Spears
60.Assault Dieres - Thureos Spears
Missile Ship (7)
61.Scorpion Penteres - Eastern Archers
62.Tower Penteres - Eastern Archers
63.Missile Penteres - Eastern Archers
64.Scorpion Trieres - Eastern Archers
65.Missile Trieres - Eastern Archers
66.Raiding Hemiolia - Eastern Javelinmen
67.Pursuit Trihemiolia - Pontic Peltasts
Artillery Ship (2)
68.Light Artillery Penteres - Eastern Ballista (Ship)
69.Artillery Penteres - Eastern Onager (Ship)