Swiss Pikeman

[samuelch]

Special pikeman that can be train from barrack with the ability to attack enemy unit without getting counter attack from the enemy unit. It should be cost 3 turns, have more strength than a halberdier and have bonuses against mounted.

[Alexander82]

All religious unit in his range gain +3 armor/pierce xD

[samuelch]

I like that idea. But how about Swiss pikeman will become stronger when together with other Swiss pikemen. If there is a Swiss pikeman adjacent to another Swiss pikeman, they both get +1 power. If there are 2 Swiss pikemen (:) ) adjacent to a Swiss pikeman (:D) between them. The Swiss pikeman between them +2 power while the other 2 +1power . How it looks like= +1 +2 +1

[Alexander82]

We already planned something like that for roman legionaires to simulate the testudo formation effect (raising defense) but i remember that Daniel didn't agree with that

[samuelch]

How about if Swiss pikeman can extend their spear. It will make them cannot move but it allow them to melle attack with 2 range.

[Alexander82]

That was one of my tech proposal

http://www.ageofstrategy.net/viewtopic.php?f=79&t=1948

The idea is basically the same concept of the Swiss pikeman
I think that the swiss pikeman could be a decent infantry that is good beyond being able to heavy hitting cavalry and when researched reach could benefit of the same effect, gaining a +1 to its range.

[samuelch]

Well Swiss pikeman will give +1power, +1speed, and +1range to religious units and can be trained from barracks and churches similiar to your idea .

[Alexander82]

I would go more for increased defense, and maybe speed

Like +2 armor/pierce +1 speed

[L4cus]

This looks like a forgotten topic. Anyway, remember swiss pikemen were mercenaries, just like lanschenet (i am not sure how do write it).

[Gral.Sturnn]

Pics.

[Endru1241]

This looks like a forgotten topic. Anyway, remember swiss pikemen were mercenaries, just like lanschenet (i am not sure how do write it).

Landknecht.

[L4cus]

This looks like a forgotten topic. Anyway, remember swiss pikemen were mercenaries, just like lanschenet (i am not sure how do write it).

Landknecht.

Thnx

[eafkcv]

I realise this has been suggested, I am just going to offer some stats.
Stats
Cost 3
Leaving 8
Hp 17
Attack 8
Range 2
Armour/ P. Armour: 2/1
Speed 3
Sight 4
Spell Resistance 100%
Bonuses
175% mounted
250% slow heavy cavalry
325% medium cavalry, chariot melee
400% heavy cavalry except slow
650% elephant
Builders Barracks (and upgrade), Mercenary Tent
Categories Polearm Wielder, Anti mounted, Foot, Mercenary
Anti mounted capabilities slightly better than elite pikeman before blacksmith, slightly worse afterwards.

[Shark guy 35]

Does anyone else think this idea sounds interesting? I sure would be happy if it was added.

[Gral.Sturnn]

yeah it is i can make a newer sprite now that im a lil better

[Gral.Sturnn]

what would you guys prefer, a late 15thc look or a more 16th century ish one?

[Shark guy 35]

I think a 15th century one would look better, but that's just me.

[Squirrel5555]

There is something wrong here but I can't put my finger on what...

[Squirrel5555]

Maybe like this?

[Gral.Sturnn]

Looks pretty cool but it resembles the vatican guard more than the pikemen themselves.

[DreJaDe]

Looks pretty cool but it resembles the vatican guard more than the pikemen themselves.

Aren't they technically the same?

[Gral.Sturnn]

Nope

[Squirrel5555]

Well you are right, these are the Swiss Guard. Technically quite similar. So how about this is a religious unit, maybe with a last stand ability to represent their real life counterparts.

Actually the first version I drew had the full outfit of the pontifical guard but I decided to show this version.

How about this?

[Shark guy 35]

Wow, they look great.

[phoenixffyrnig]

That's some silky brush work @Squirrel5555 - loving it. I dunno if I'm being over-critical, but his right leg (the one on the left side of the image) and the pike look a bit mismatched - the leg looks like it is bracing while the pike is held at attention. Could you either make his leg stand to attention or have the pike in brace position? I think I am being super-picky though, it looks real good.

I like the idea of the unit too... would look lovely in one of my holy armies

Where are we going with this, is it a mercenary unit like the Landknecht, or is it a religious Swiss Guard? If so, will it have healing a la Templars and Hospitallers?

[Squirrel5555]

You are right! Unfortunately the 32pixel limitation makes a braced position impossible for a weapon as long as the pike, even a halberd would be very squished. Instead I made his pike lean slightly, maybe preparing to brace or in a somewhat resting position. Still, I can try to make him stand to attention, however I'd rather a more organic position, fitting in with most of the other units.

As for his role, as a Pontifical Guard he should not be a mercenary, as they were loyal to the Pope. For abilities, I was thinking of a "last stand" - whenever he would usually die from a hit, it only brings him down to 1 HP, meaning he must be hit again to be finished off(fits with their historical role). It's also different than generic heal/convert of the other religious units.
How about also making him unconvertable to show unwavering loyalty?

I think trainable in churches would be fine, but requiring a tech due to the aforementioned upsides. Maybe writing, as they did in fact originate as swiss mercenaries?

[phoenixffyrnig]

Unfortunately the 32pixel limitation makes a braced position impossible for a weapon as long as the pike

Fair enough, sorry. Either way, it is some fine artwork.

Yeah, I agree with you, it is a fine distinction between generic Swiss pikemen and the Swiss Guard, but an important one. As you say, the Pope's own guard would be another level. I like the last stand idea. Inconvertible too, or at the very least something like 150% mental resistance.

I think trainable in churches would be fine, but requiring a tech due to the aforementioned upsides. Maybe writing, as they did in fact originate as swiss mercenaries?

Tbh, from what I've seen in multiplayer, religious units are very underused - I love padding out my armies with the Holy Brethren of the Templars and the Hospitaliers
To reflect their elite status, is it be possible to have it so they are recruitable from Cathedral but not from the Church? One for Endru maybe.

But yes, great idea, great image, let's push it along

[Morningwarrior]

He is renacense pikeman,i dont think so he is a mercenary unit

[L4cus]

rebirth of this topic, swiss pikemen, or swiss halberdier should be in game, we ahve both pikemen and halberdiers in game, not mercernaries tough

pikeman
cost 3
leaving 6 turns
hp 22
attack 9
range 2
armour 3/1
speed 3
sight 4
same bonuses as pikeman

halberdier
cost 3
leaving 4 turns
hp 28
attack 11
range 1
armour 4/2
speed 3
sight 4
same bonuses as hospitaller halberdier

i dont want them both, 1 is more than enough

15th century image so we dont go with a too modern version of them

[v094517]

cost 3
leaving 6 turns
hp 22
attack 9
range 2
armour 3/1
speed 3
sight 4
resistance 50%
same bonuses as pikeman, +1 constant value bonus against melee foot
Trainable in Monastery, (Bastion Fort), TC