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Unit Name

Black Dragon Pikemen

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Unit Acquire Method

Available as a mercenary in the Mercenary Store for 4,900 Sovereigns or 700,000 Silver

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Traits

• Own Supply Line – Automatically replaces any damaged or missing equipment at no extra cost
• Exemplar – Grants +10% to Hero XP, Unit XP, and Honour when in your warband
• Shock Troops – Highly effective when charging, less so in prolonged melee
• Melee Fighters – Strong melee capabilities
• Swamp – +26% damage to cavalry and slows them by 45% for 2 s on hit

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Formations & Orders

• Dispersed – Spread out formation to reduce incoming ranged damage
• Line – Two staggered rows ideal for advancing
• Column – Narrow formation perfect for high-impact charges; unlocked via veterancy
• Push of Pike – High-damage piercing charge; cooldown ~55 s, deals increased damage in Column formation

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Tips & Tricks

• Use Column + Push of Pike for devastating charge initiations.
• Switch to Dispersed when under ranged fire to minimize losses.
• Deploy as shock frontline, particularly effective against cavalry and clumped infantry.

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Pros / Cons

Pros:
• Exceptional shock value in charges
• Strong anti‑cavalry performance with swamp effect
• Self‑sustaining gear from mercenary traits

Cons:
• Vulnerable to ranged units when stationary
• Limited in sustained melee beyond initial charge
• High mercenary cost for a one‑time use unit

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Mastery

❌ No – Mercenary units like Black Dragon Pikemen do not have a Mastery tree

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Veterancy

Mercenary units auto-come fully veterancy-unlocked at max level (20), including access to Column, Push of Pike upgrades, cooldown reductions, and stat boosts .

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