Pontus Pike Infantry

Bronze Shield Pikemen

In the hands of an expert the sarissa pike is a deadly weapon.

An elite phalanx of pikemen, the Bronze Shields were modelled on their hoplite forebears and, subsequently, the Alexandrian pike reforms. Their most distinctive feature, and the one which gave them their name, was their bronze shield, emblazoned with the name of their king. Although fighting in the style of Alexandrian phalangites, they probably wore a uniform of Persian origin. This would include a reinforced cuirass of scales or stiffened linen, bronze helm, and probably a patterned tunic and trousers. Their main weapon was the sarissa, a pike of up to 22 feet in length. As this required both hands, a neck strap in addition to a loop over their left arm would support their heavy bronze shields. In close order, phalanxes, such as the Bronze Shields, presented an impenetrable wall to the front, pushing back or pinning an enemy so that it could then be flanked and broken by cavalry.

Abilities

Bronze Shield Pikemen

• Pike Phalanx
  The unit moves into a deep, close defensive formation.
  Bonus vs cavalry, bracing.
  Limited speed
• Steady
  Improves the unit's ability to endure enemy charges.
  Armour, melee defence
  Exertion: fatigue

Attributes

• Disciplined
  This unit does not suffer a morale penalty when the general dies. It can also rally after routing more often.
• Formation Attack
  The unit will try to stay in formation when in melee.
• Hide (forest)
  This unit can hide in forests until enemy units get too close.
• Encourage
  This unit provides a morale bonus to nearby allies.

Strengths & Weaknesses

Transport

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

Bronze Shield Pikemen

• Very good defensive unit
• Low damage but average armour penetration
• Average attack
• Good morale
• Very vulnerable when not in phalanx

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)