Elite Rattan Pikemen (Tier 2)
Season / Era: Chivalric Era (2★ Tier)
Unit Type: Melee Infantry – Polearm
🛡️ Traits & Abilities
- Rattan Armour: Lightweight protection—very strong against slashing, weak to fire.
- Poisoned Weapons: Each hit applies poison DoT.
- Swamp: Gains +26 % damage vs cavalry and slows cavalry by 45 % for 2 s.
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Formations & Orders
- Only Dispersed Formation: Reduces vulnerability to ranged attacks.
- No Special Orders: Pure aggressive frontline unit.
🏅 Veterancy Paths + Doctrines
🔮 Mastery Tree (8 Tiers)
| Tier | Skill | Scroll Requirement | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| I–IV | Health / Slashing Def Boost | Uncommon | +360–450 health, +80 slashing def |
| V | Rattan Poison | Rare | Every 2nd attack emits AoE poison: slows & DoT |
| VI–VII | Damage Reduction | Uncommon | –300 damage vs infantry; –300 vs 2★ units |
| VIII | Indirect Methods | Rare | Poison also reduces enemy speed & damage by 20% |
🎯 Role & Strategy
- Frontline Debuffer: Dive into enemy blobs to maximize AoE poison.
- Cavalry Counter: Swamp and crowd-control excel vs horse units.
- Tanky with Mastery: Extra health, defence, and poison synergy makes them surprisingly resilient.
💬 Community Insights (Reddit)
“They are extremely strong for their cost (95ls). Their poison can disable whole unit… cut their dmg by 90% for 10s … worth the scrolls”
— SuperKitowiec“During a blob fight … poison AOE starting at the model itself … you wouldn’t be affecting that many units … unless absolutely stacked …”
— poiiuy
✅ Best Practices
- Use Path 2 + Full Mastery for maximum poison output.
- Pair with Strong Frontline Units (shields/pikes): They create cover and absorb fire.
- Time Your Engagements: Wait until enemy blobs group up before diving in.
- Position Carefully: Avoid heavy ranged fire; rely on melee support and hero assistance.
🧭 Verdict
Elite Rattan Pikemen are a deceptively powerful, cost-effective support unit. With mastery and the right veteran path, they become frontline debuffers that disrupt enemy formations and control cavalry. Best used in well-timed attacks with team coordination—otherwise, they risk being exposed and taken out quickly.