Peltasts (RTW Unit)

Peltasts (RTW Unit)
Class	Skirmisher
Unit Size	160
Weaponry	Javelin, Knife
Morale	4
Melee Attack	3
Ranged Attack	6
Defence	4
Charge Bonus	1
Accuracy
Range	50
Ammunition	6
Region	Global
Recruitment Cost	180
Upkeep Cost	170
Turns to Build	1
Unit Limit	None
Building Requirements	Practice Range
Technology Requirements	None
Attributes	Expert at hiding in forests

Greek peltasts advance at speed to pepper an enemy with javelins, and then withdraw in good order before a counter-attack can be organized.

Overview

Greek peltasts advance at high speed, to pepper an enemy with javelins, and then they withdraw before a counterattack can be organized. They are skirmishers, and it is their task to harass and disrupt the enemy units before the main battle-lines clash. They are also adept at staging tactical ambushes. Peltasts are equipped with a clutch of javelins, a sword, and a light shield, called the "pelte", which gives them their name as 'pelte-bearers'. They wear no other armur, and they rely upon speed as the best form of protection, and this isn't much protection should they be caught by cavalry.

Description

Peltasts are the most common skirmishers. They have very poor attack and defence, and have a low missile attack, which makes them of limited use as skirmishers. They also do not have armur at all, making them very vulnerable to counter missile fire. Most factions have this unit, and it really is of very limited use. Use normal skirmisher tactics, but don’t bother with them in melee, except against archers, as they do have slightly better stats than them. Upgrade to proper archers as soon as you can, though you might want to keep some of these guys around for suicidal tasks like drawing missile fire, or pushing battering rams. They do have small shields while archers don’t, since they have two-handed bows. Note that the eastern version of this unit is worse than other versions, because it has a “low” mental stat, so that morale-lowering things, such as generals dying, has a greater effect upon them, hence they lose morale more quickly. Other versions of peltasts don’t have this problem, as they have a “normal” mental stat.