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HomeHome / Total War: Rome II / Nabataea / Units / Desert Pikemen
Desert Pikemen NabataeaNabataea Pike Infantry

Desert Pikemen

A wall of pikes is an excellent defence, but is difficult to manoeuvre.

The Nabataeans, although in dire relations with the Seleucids, borrowed many Hellenistic practices. As their empire expanded, the Seleucids tried to fold many nearby territories into it, looking to put a hand on the lucrative trade routes of southern Arabia as well. In the numerous military engagements between the two states, the Nabataeans developed the need to copy the greater disciplined, better structured Hellenistic way of fighting. They also used captured gear and although they were bitter rivals, admired the Greeks for their culture and civilisation. Most famous of these encounters are the Antigonid–Nabataean confrontations in 312BC. In the first instance, Antigonus appointed one of his officers, Athenaeus to pillage Petra. He did so successfully, as the defenders were away trading during the night of the raid. Not only was their stock captured, but also families, to be traded as slaves. However, the Nabataeans quickly realised the situation and were able to hunt down the 4,600-strong army and almost wipe it out, with only a few dozen escaping. Athenaeus was not among the survivors.

Desert Pikemen

Unit Name

Desert Pikemen

Main Unit Key

dk_nab_desert_pikemen

Land Unit Key

dk_nab_desert_pikemen

Naval Unit Key

pel_transport

Soldiers

160

Category

Melee Infantry

Class

Pike Infantry

Custom Battle Cost

400

Recruitment Cost

400

Upkeep Cost

80

Melee Attack

28

Weapon Damage

24

├ Melee Weapon

rome_pike

├ Melee Damage Base

20

├ Melee Damage Ap

4

├ Armour Piercing

No

├ Bonus vs. Large

0

├ Bonus vs Elephants

0

└ Bonus vs Infantry

0

Charge Bonus

4

Melee Defence

15

├ Base Defence

5

├ Shield

pikemen

└ Shield Defence

10

Armour

40

├ Armour

cloth

├ Armour Defence

10

└ Shield Armour

30

Health

50

├ Man Entity

rome_infantry_medium

├ Man Health

40

└ Bonus Hit Points

10

Base Morale

35

Abilities

Desert Pikemen
  • Pike Phalanx
    The unit moves into a deep, close defensive formation.
    Bonus vs cavalry, bracing
    Limited speed

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.
  • Resistant to Heat
    This unit tires less quickly in the desert.

Strengths & Weaknesses

Transport
  • Very poor hull strength
  • Very slow speed
  • Weak ramming
Desert Pikemen
  • Average defensive unit
  • Low damage but average armour penetration
  • Weak attack
  • Poor morale
  • Very vulnerable when not in phalanx
Requires Buildings
Desert Pikemen Lv. 0 Infantry Tents
Infantry Tents
(dk_all_military_infantry_2)
Level 1
Infantry Quarters
Infantry Quarters
(dk_all_military_infantry_3)
Level 2
Royal Barracks
Royal Barracks
(dk_all_military_infantry_4)
Level 3
Faction Availability
Grand Campaign