Byzantine Spearmen (M2TW Unit)
| Byzantine Spearmen (M2TW Unit) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Class | Spear Infantry |
| Unit Size | 60 |
| Weaponry | |
| Morale | 3 |
| Melee Attack | 5 |
| Ranged Attack | NA |
| Defence | 1 |
| Charge Bonus | 2 |
| Accuracy | NA |
| Range | NA |
| Ammunition | NA |
| Region | Global |
| Recruitment Cost | 310 |
| Upkeep Cost | 155 |
| Turns to Build | 1 |
| Unit Limit | 6 |
| Building Requirements | |
| Technology Requirements | None |
| Attributes | |
A step up from spearmen militia, these troops are equipped with spear and shield, capable of forming a defensive ring.
Overview
Byzantine Spearmen are a step up from spear militias, better trained and equipped, these troops are able to form a defensive ring. These are longer serving soldiers, used to defending settlements and bolstering armies. Equipped with a spear and shield these troops are a little more robust than local militias formed by peasants.
Details
Byzantine Spearmen are a mediocre unit, with the same stats as Spear Militia. While the in-game description states that they are better than Spear Militia, this is at best an exaggeration, as there is no difference between the two units in important stats such as melee attack, melee defence, charge bonus, morale, or stamina. The only advantages that Byzantine Spearmen have is that they have 2 armour upgrades instead of one for (Byzantine) Spear Militia, they get more experience when recruited at a higher level barracks, and they can form schiltron, which Byzantine Spear Militia cannot. Byzantine Spearmen also cost 30 florins more to maintain than the Spear Militia and do not get free upkeep in settlements.
Their upkeep is rather high for such a weak unit, and they are a weak unit for requiring a castle. However, the schiltron of Byzantine Spearmen is a useful defensive formation, which stops enemy units from flanking the unit and helps defend against cavalry charges, though the tightly packed formation is vulnerable to missile fire. The free upkeep in settlements means that Spear Militia are a better garrison for cities, while the schiltrom formation means that the Byzantine Spearmen are perhaps more useful in field battles, where they can offer the player more tactical choices. In battlefields on Western Europe, Mercenary Spearmen might be a better choice than Byzantine Spearmen.
Factions
The Byzantine Empire
