Hoplites (RTW unit)

Hoplites (RTW unit)
Class	Spearmen
Unit Size	160 men
Weaponry	Spear Sword
Morale	4
Melee Attack	7 5
Ranged Attack	N/A
Defence	16
Charge Bonus	3 2
Accuracy	N/A
Range	N/A
Ammunition	N/A
Region	Global
Recruitment Cost	440
Upkeep Cost	170
Turns to Build	1
Unit Limit	Unlimited
Building Requirements	Militia Barracks
Technology Requirements	None
Attributes	Can sap Can hide in forests Can form phalanx

Hoplites are well equipped infantry that are most effective in the formidable, if slightly inflexible, phalanx formation.

Overview

The basis of nearly all military power in Greece once revolved around the hoplite. Operating in phalanxes, or tightly grouped blocks, these men are a powerful force against infantry or cavalry.

Hoplite tactics are simple: formations generally approach the opposing army in normal order, and then close ranks into the phalanx so that each soldier is protected by overlapping shields. Then it is simply a matter of closing with the enemy as quickly as possible to decide the battle. Well trained, these troops have great stamina, and are some of the most effective soldiers in the known world.

Hoplites generally supply their own equipment, so are not drawn from the poorer sections of society. They wear a hardened leather cuirass breastplate, and carry both a round shield (the hoplon) and a thrusting spear. This spear has a bronze butt-spike to plant in the ground (bronze is not prone to rusting like iron), which doubles as a weapon if the pike shaft breaks.

Details

Hoplites are armored troops with significant improvements over their preceding Militia Hoplites; Hoplite’s attack, defense, and morale are nearly double Militia Hoplite’s at slightly under twice the monetary price. Hoplites have identical recruitment cost and upkeep with Roman Hastati.

Hoplites are strong enough to form a fairly reliable battleline in the early game. They take much longer to break than Militia Hoplites. They will grind down and crush any similar tier infantry when engaging from the front. They are especially effective against barbarians such as Swordsmen who don't have the defense to survive getting close to them. They'll also destroy almost any cavalry without trouble.

Although Hoplites are competent fighters on their own, their low charge bonus and attacks means they are best used when they are in a phalanx; a hoplite phalanx can stop an oncoming cavalry charge dead in its tracks. The phalanx is a formidable defensive formation comprising of a wall of spears, shields, and men, but it is hampered by a lack of mobility and flexibility with weak flanks. This lack of mobility makes chasing down light-footed skirmishers no easy task for Hoplites. Overall, these are good troops relatively quick to access, but are best used in an immobile phalanx with support units such as archers or cavalry.

Although effective, their morale is surprisingly shaky for such a strong unit, at only 4, the same as much poorer units such as Iberian Infantry, Hillmen and Spear Warband. They are less likely to brake because they actually win their fights, which keeps their morale up, but against post-Marian Legionaries they will have trouble. The player can start to replace them with Armoured Hoplites early in the game, and it is a good idea to do so because they are a direct upgrade, especially in defense.

Factions

Greek City-States