Assault Dieres - Etruscan Hoplites
With a ramming attack that can break an enemy hull, these ships are deadly weapons.Equipped and trained in the Greek fashion, Rome's former masters remain a force to be reckoned with.
The waterline ram was first mounted on a vessel in around 850BC. Warships and naval tactics were transformed. Ships were no longer platforms for infantry battles on the water; the ship itself became the weapon. Galleys changed as the new reality sank in. Ramming at speed would hole and sink an enemy, therefore slimmer, faster, handier ships were required. More speed on demand obviously required more oars a fast ship with a single row of oars ended up being stupidly, impractically long. The solution, then, was to put in a second set of oars above the first, but slightly offset to allow for rowers' benches. These biremes, a Latin word meaning 'two oars', or dieres, the Greek equivalent, were no longer than previous designs but had twice the number of rowers. They were fast, manoeuvrable, and could carry a fighting contingent. Some nations also gave their bireme crews fire pots; these clay pots filled with oil and pitch were hurled at enemy ships in the entirely reasonable hope of setting them ablaze.
(Etruscan Hoplites)
Etruscan armies, like most ancient Mediterranean forces, were drawn from a citizen body who were otherwise farmers when not at war. Soldiers paid for their own equipment and fought for the individual city-state to which they belonged. Etruscan warriors were heavily influenced by the Greek military style, with wealthier fighters going into battle with bronze breastplates and greaves, Corinthian-style helmets and round shields. Hardened leather armour was also used, which was more flexible, but did not offer the same level of protection. Etruria's early armies probably employed the phalanx style of combat, but as Gauls and other barbarians descended from the Alps and into Italy, Etruscan soldiers adopted a looser way of fighting. Common finds in Etruscan grave sites are bell-shaped bronze helmets, sometimes with cheek-guards, as well as shorter melee weapons, including swords and axes. Ultimately, Etruria's downfall was not due to the quality of its warriors, but rather the refusal of the various Etruscan cities to band together and support each other against the rising threat from Rome.
Unit Name Assault Dieres - Etruscan Hoplites |
Main Unit Key inv_etr_two_assault_greek_etruscan_hoplites |
Land Unit Key inv_etr_hoplites |
Naval Unit Key greek_two |
Soldiers 60 |
Category Light Ship |
Class Melee Ship |
Custom Battle Cost 550 |
Recruitment Cost 550 |
Upkeep Cost 110 |
501 |
└ Ship greek_two |
Ship Speed 6 |
Melee Attack 25 |
26 |
├ Melee Weapon rome_hoplite_spear |
├ Melee Damage Base 20 |
├ Melee Damage Ap 6 |
├ Armour Piercing No |
├ Bonus vs. Large 15 |
├ Bonus vs Elephants 15 |
└ Bonus vs Infantry 0 |
Charge Bonus 10 |
55 |
├ Base Defence 40 |
├ Shield hoplite |
└ Shield Defence 15 |
70 |
├ Armour chest |
├ Armour Defence 25 |
└ Shield Armour 45 |
55 |
├ Man Entity rome_infantry_hoplite |
├ Man Health 45 |
└ Bonus Hit Points 10 |
Base Morale 40 |
Abilities
Assault Dieres- Row Hard 10
Increases speed for 10 strokes.
Ship speed
- Hoplite Wall
The unit moves into close wall formation.
Bracing, melee defence, shield strength
Acceleration, speed
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
Assault Dieres- Very poor hull strength
- Very light crew
- Fast speed
- Weak ramming
- Good boarding
- Very good defensive unit
- Low damage but average armour penetration
- Average attack
- Good morale
Requires Buildings | |
---|---|
Lv. 0 |
Military Wharf
(inv_new_etr_port_military_4) Level 3
Shipwright
(inv_new_etr_port_military_5) Level 4
Military Harbour
(inv_new_etr_port_military_6) Level 5 |
Faction Availability | |
---|---|
Rise of the Republic |