Unit Overview
- Type: Melee Infantry (Polearm)
- Era: Heroic
- Leadership Cost: 235
- Unit Size: 32 soldiers
- Speed: 3.8
- Damage Types: Primarily Piercing
- Defensive Stats: High resistance to piercing and slashing damage
Fortebraccio Pikemen are designed to hold strategic positions and counter cavalry effectively. Their long pikes and bracing abilities make them formidable defenders in various battlefield scenarios
Traits & Formations
Traits:
- Sicanian Pikes: Enhanced damage against cavalry; reduced damage taken from cavalry while bracing.
- Fire-Resistant: Reduced vulnerability to thermal weapons.
- Swamp: Increases damage dealt to cavalry by 26% and reduces attacked cavalry’s movement speed by 60% for 2 seconds.
- Encumbered: Cannot push siege engines or climb ladders due to heavy equipment.
Formations:
- Dispersed: Loose formation to lessen damage from ranged attacks.
- Line (Staggered): Two staggered rows, effective when advancing.
- Block: Dense formation enhancing the unit’s defenses
Unit Orders
- Brace Weapons: The unit plants their polearms and holds firm, ideal for stopping cavalry charges. This ability can be activated manually and triggers automatically in Line or Block formations.
Veterancy Paths
Fortebraccio Pikemen offer two primary veterancy paths, each enhancing different aspects of the unit
Top Path (Offensive Focus):
- Cold Blood: Increases piercing damage.
- In the Blink of an Eye: Enhances critical value.
- Resistance: Boosts braced weapon armor penetration.
- Spear Array: Further increases armor penetration while bracing.
- Long Reach: Allows each soldier to attack more enemies with a single strike
Bottom Path (Defensive Focus):
- Toughen Up: Enhances piercing defense.
- Reflexes: Reduces ranged damage taken.
- Bloodbath: Boosts slashing defense.
- Resilient: Reduces damage taken from enemy cavalry.
- Move as One: Increases movement speed.
- The Soldier’s Life: Increases health.
- Thick Armour: Boosts all defenses.
Choosing between these paths depends on your preferred playstyle—offensive for increased damage output or defensive for enhanced survivability.
Recommended Vetline:
Recommended Doctrines
These doctrines synergize well with the unit’s inherent strengths, bolstering both offensive and defensive capabilities.
Tactical Applications
Defensive Strategies:
- Choke Point Control: Utilize Block formation with Brace Weapons to hold narrow passages against enemy advances.
- Cavalry Counter: Position them to intercept and neutralize enemy cavalry charges effectively.
Offensive Strategies:
- Advance Support: Deploy in Line formation to support advancing units, providing a sturdy frontline.
- Zone Denial: Use their presence to deter enemy movements and control key areas of the battlefield.
Their versatility allows them to adapt to various battlefield scenarios, making them invaluable in both offensive pushes and defensive holds.
Comparison with Similar Units
When compared to other polearm units:
- Imperial Pike Guards: Offer higher offensive capabilities but may lack the defensive resilience of Fortebraccio Pikemen.
- Prefecture Pikemen: Provide a balance between offense and defense but may not match the specialized formations and traits of Fortebraccio Pikemen
Fortebraccio Pikemen stand out for their defensive prowess and adaptability, especially when fully upgraded and properly supported.
Final Thoughts
Fortebraccio Pikemen are a formidable T4 unit that, when utilized effectively, can turn the tide of battle. Their combination of durability, versatility, and tactical utility makes them a valuable asset in any commander’s roster. Investing time in mastering their formations, veterancy paths, and doctrines will yield significant dividends on the battlefield.
For a visual demonstration and further insights, consider watching the following guide:
Fortebraccio Pikemen Guide – Conqueror’s Blade