Pikemen/Rise of the Moderns

In game

Pikemen — Vital statistics
Pikemen	Slow but deadly pre-modern melee unit with good parameters for close-quarters work, especially against horsemen, but extremely weak against missile units. Strong versus cavalry and full-frontal melee. Weak versus ranged units.
Prereq:	Build time	HP	LOS	Attack	Attack speed	Movement speed
Scientific Management	188t	170	8	17	Rather slow	25
Cost			Created from	Armour	Weapon range	Specialty
Base	Ramp	Pop
: 50 : 20	: 2	1	?????	2	0–1	Attack bonus versus cavalry. Poor turn speed.

Overall strategy

Pikemen can best be described as the conscript component of Swedish and American armies, being bodies of men armed with the long pike. While they are slow and especially vulnerable against missile units, they are nevertheless idea as a counter-cavalry unit, using the long reach of their weapons to protect your weaker Musketeers.

Unless your enemy has managed to raise sufficient artillery, you can easily steamroll them with your Pikemen, using "Swiss-style" tactics of marching the Pikemen forward and into the enemy. Just remember that Pikemen are very vulnerable if pitted against other infantry classes, so never send them into battle unless they are supported by rolling fire from your own men, ie with Musketeers or Cannon.

Unit summary

• Strong melee unit that is specialised in taking out cavalry and units with minimum range.

• Use pikemen to counter enemy cavalry especially as picket units for artillery, but watch out for ranged units such as Musketeers.

Notes

In Rise of Napoleon: Ultima Ratio, Pikemen are available only to the United States of America and Sweden.