Hastati (TWR2 Unit)
| Hastati (TWR2 Unit) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Class | Melee Infantry |
| Unit Size | 160 |
| Weaponry | Gladius |
| Morale | 45 |
| Melee Attack | 38 |
| Ranged Attack | N/A |
| Defence | 50 |
| Charge Bonus | 12 |
| Accuracy | N/A |
| Range | N/A |
| Ammunition | N/A |
| Region | Global |
| Recruitment Cost | 350 |
| Upkeep Cost | 90 |
| Turns to Build | 1 |
| Unit Limit | Unlimited |
| Building Requirements | Field of Mars |
| Technology Requirements | N/A |
| Attributes | • Attacking Testudo
• Use the Whip • Formation Attack • Disciplined • Hide (forest) |
File:TWR2 Hastati Ico.png These young men are the armoured front line of a Roman legion.
Overview
During the 4th Century BC the Romans abandoned the phalanx in favour of an army of hastati, principes and triarii. These were deployed in maniples: compact blocks of men, laid out in a checkerboard formation. This allowed flexibility moving across a battlefield, particularly when compared to a solid phalanx.
Like most sophisticated city-states in the ancient world, Rome expected its men to fight, and supply their own war gear when they did so. A cynical observer might be tempted to note that the manipular legion also made sure that the hierarchy of Rome was preserved. The youngest and least wealthy became hastati, the first line of battle in a Roman legion. Behind them came the second line of principes, older and richer men, and finally the triarii, the third line of the most experienced warriors. “Going to the triarii” was a Roman saying in all kind of situations, implying that everything else had been tried and found wanting.
Details
Hastati are capable troops. Although they do not have particularly excellent stats, their versatility on the battlefield (as with all Roman infantry) and relatively easy accessibility in particular is what makes them a unit not to be underestimated on the battlefield or the campaign map. They have multiple abilities in combat and tactics that make them effective; they have enough discipline to hold against Gaulish warbands yet the flexibility to defeat lesser phalanxes. They can hold their formation, break apart and fight as individuals, throw pila at will, or cancel throwing pila before a charge.
As an example of the Hastati's flexibility, throwing a pila before a head-on charge against oncoming phalanxes can be actually quite effective; the pila kill enough hoplites to create a morale loss and holes in the phalanx formation, and the Hastati charge fast enough for the phalanx to still be disrupted and have lost their unity. The Hastati’s only real weakness on the battlefield is heavy cavalry. Against a heavy cavalry charge they do not hold for long and can rout easily. Other heavy infantry can also defeat hastati without significant casualties on the opposing side. Economically, with only a militia barracks required to recruit the Hastati, most cities are able to train them, making Hastati a staple pre-Marian Roman troop.
Strengths & Weaknesses
• Average attack
• Weak defence
• Average damage but low armour penetration
• Poor morale
