A spearman, not a pikemen

Put here any ideas, suggestions about redesigning unit/building graphics.
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Jerzy1241
Posts: 21
Joined: Wed Apr 27, 2022 12:37 am

A spearman, not a pikemen

Post by Jerzy1241 »

This is a suggestion of renaming and possibly adding a shield to the artwork. The correct Pikemen is now in play, while the base unit called Pikemen is actually a Spearman. The spearmen were light infantry using a 1.5 - 1.8m spear and a shield. This weapon, adequately short and durable, was suitable for conducting fencing with one hand and at the same time protecting yourself with a shield. The shield, after passing the left hand deeper through the clamps, made it possible to grasp the spear with both hands. Pikeman -> Spearman, in PL Pikeman -> Swordnik. Regards.
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Endru1241
Posts: 2717
Joined: Fri Sep 11, 2015 8:43 am
Location: Poland

Re: A spearman, not a pikemen

Post by Endru1241 »

Jerzy1241 wrote: Fri Apr 29, 2022 11:58 am This is a suggestion of renaming and possibly adding a shield to the artwork. The correct Pikemen is now in play, while the base unit called Pikemen is actually a Spearman. The spearmen were light infantry using a 1.5 - 1.8m spear and a shield. This weapon, adequately short and durable, was suitable for conducting fencing with one hand and at the same time protecting yourself with a shield. The shield, after passing the left hand deeper through the clamps, made it possible to grasp the spear with both hands. Pikeman -> Spearman, in PL Pikeman -> Swordnik. Regards.
Sorry for such late answer.

While it is true, that spearman unit (much earlier in the game named pikeman) is incorrectly named in polish.
It should be "Włócznik", while old name "Pikinier" still remains.

But it's language translation issue, not graphic one.
I disagree with proposed changes to graphics, because there is already corresponding unit representing proper spear+shield infantry - Armored Spearman unit.
Think of it as:
- Spearman unit - relatively big group of barely trained men, equipped with basic cheap polearm weapons (1.5m - 2.5m spear in most cases). Trained short time, mainly how to follow orders, keep formation and kill horses effectively. Some of the men could actually have shields, but they were not trained to use it in formation, so effectiveness would be lacking. They wouldn't be able to properly shield whole unit against neither arrows (thus no "Shield Bearer" category, nor graphics for shield), nor in melee. Some of the men could even utilize pikes (but probably shorter than 3.5-4m), but whole unit lacks proper training, discipline and weapons to have tactical advantage of range 2 attacks.
- Pikeman unit - medium sized group of men, trained with proper long pikes (5m+) and/or compensating it with maneuvers. Anyway - a unit of disciplined men capable of attacking safely and over another line (or two) of men.
- Swordsman unit - medium sized group of trained men representing bulk of the army. Shielded and capable of utilising shield properly. Trained to participate in sieges, attack in narrow corridors, often equipped with some siege tools (larger shields, pickaxes, shovels, lines, ladders). They use 1-hand or bastard melee weapons up to personal preference, availability or whatever was issued (swords, axes, maces, spears etc.). Anything, that goes along with shield. In polish they should probably be named "Zbrojny", "Zbrojni".
- Armored Spearman unit - small to medium sized group of men being trained as both spearmen and swordsmen. So either utilising only spears and having siege tools as well or using two kinds of melee weapons with one of them being polearm. Anyway they are capable of anything a swordsmen do and also trained to deal with cavalry.
Age of Strategy design leader
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