Palatini

In game

Palatini — Vital statistics
	Unique Roman heavy infantry, capable of "holding the line". Very powerful and costly, but slow. Strong versus massed melee infantry. Weak versus missile cavalry.
Prereq:	Build time	HP	LOS	Attack	Attack speed	Movement speed	Upgrade of	Upgrade to
[2]; Level 2: Mercenaries Military Centralisation	20.1s (310t)	217	9	22	1.3s (20t)	19
Cost			Created from	Armour	Weapon range	Specialty
Base	Ramp	Pop
: 60; : 60	: 2; : 2	1		8	Melee	Small defensive bonus versus missile infantry. +1 splash attack radius

Clasped in armour and trained to perfection, Hoplites are the beating heart of Axial Age Greek and Etruscan armies. They are costly to maintain and slow, yet do what they do best - holding the line and grinding down less well-armoured armies to a fault.

Hoplites replace all spear units — the so-called "Long Spearmen" squads included, so any Long Spearmen you may have recruited will doubtlessly be replaced. However, their strength isn't in hosing melee units or deterring cavalry, but in their mobility as well as their ability to resist enemy ranged infantry. The Hoplite is thus a very powerful unit when used in the ancient way — mass them at the site of battle, and then send them plunging into the foe. Of course, their lack of armour and slower movement leaves them vulnerable to enemy ranged cavalry, but Hoplites were never meant to function in isolation. An army of Hoplites, protected by light missile infantry and amassed horsemen will always be able to hold their own.

Note, however, that as units go, Hoplites are still poor choices when used to assault buildings. True it may be that their killing power makes them the queen of battle but for urban warfare, you will have little choice but to fall back on Swordsmen or Guardsmen to do your bidding. An army of Hoplites escorted with siege weapons and ranged units is thus a wise choice. If you were on the receiving end, however, consider fast ranged units. Medium and heavy chariot units armed with composite bows, horse archers or Elephants are all ideal units for use against Hoplite formations......or any spear units for that matter.

Notes

A fancier version of the Miles.