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Class: heavy · Category: infantry · Men per unit: 40

To be the first warrior to grasp his weapon, choose an opponent to kill, and force his weapon in the face of the enemy is a trait of the bravest combatants in the Arverni tribal circles. Celtic heavy swordsmen are some of the better fighting individuals in their tribes, and are armed with the Gallic swords, armour, and shields available that they won in battle or attained through spoils of war over defeated enemies. When the two sides approach, these warriors are often at the point of first contact, and along with other heavy infantry and the champions of their tribe, form a powerful team of shock troops, starting it all off with a headlong charge, sword first, straight into the heart of the enemy lines. These soldiers are well armed and armoured, and are provided with the shield used throughout Gaul, but they are slowed down by all their protection and would need to allow faster allies to catch lighter troops that tend to target these slower warriors.

While superbly skilled and extremely tough, they are not always inclined to fight as a tight cohesive military unit, so they need to be watched closely in battle. Being at the forefront of nearly all Gallic battle formations, personal glory, the lust for riches and fame, and the need to kill is something these warriors live for. They are, however, armed to the teeth with equipment made by the impeccable Arverni craftsmen and metalworkers. Consisting of freemen and those that are somewhat wealthy, many have a long and meaningful education under druid teachings to understand the ways of their Gods, and not be fooled by the temptation of greedy outsiders who foolishly think them simple barbarians. They are not to be taken lightly by an enemy, or he'll find his head in his lap!

Along with the Gauls of times past, heavy swordsmen were a part of the major expeditions and invasions that came out of Gaul and onto the scene of the classical world. In 391 B.C. at Clusium forces of Lingones and Senones crushed the Romans which was followed by another victory at Allia in 390 B.C. They also fought bravely with their kinsmen, the Gaesatae, at Telamon in 225 B.C. Thousands fought as mercenaries under Hannibal of Carthage at Trebbia in 218 B.C. and in 217 B.C. at Lake Trasimene. They marched with by the thousands into Greece in 279 B.C. These warriors would find employment as freemen up until the time around the fall of Alesia and Uxellodunum. After that, they would fill Roman ranks as auxiliaries and cavalry.

Perhaps the single most impressive battle that these swordsmen would have taken part in was the victory in 105 B.C. at Arausio. They fought alongside courageous Germanic warriors against the Romans sent to stop them. This combined Celtic-Germanic force under the commander Boiorix, who, from his name was likely a Celt, dealt Rome a stunning defeat, causing around 80,000 casualties. Only ten soldiers and two generals were said to have made good their escape. This death toll is on par with the victory of Hannibal over Rome at Cannae in 216 B.C. Boiorix was even said to have executed an arrogant Roman commander by having him burned alive in a wicker cage. The Romans, however, would have their revenge at the Battle of Vercellae.

Its secondary attack is the stronger one: 18 against 17.

	Primary	Secondary
Attack	17	18
Charge bonus	24	30
Type	thrown · blade	melee · blade
Damage	piercing	slashing
Projectile	javelin	—
Range	50	—
Ammunition	2	—
Properties	Used just before charging into combat	—

	Primary	Secondary
Total	46	—
Armour	14	—
Defence skill	27	—
Shield	5	—

Hit points	1
Ground: scrub / sand / forest / snow	0 / -2 / 0 / -2
Charge distance	30
Formations	Square

Technical stats

Time between blows (primary / secondary)	2.5 s / 2.5 s
Extra fatigue in hot climates	4
Collision mass per man (1.0 is normal)	1.3
Spacing between men: close / loose	1 × 1.2 m / 2 × 2.4 m
Default ranks	5

In battle: Can sap · Very good stamina

A core roster unit for 35 factions, each able to raise it anywhere they hold the right building:

Aedui · Allobroges · Ambrones · Anartes · Apuani · Arverni · Aulerci · Bituriges · Boii · Breuni · Cadurci · Cenomani · Cisalpine Boii · Corsi · Eravisci · Helvetii · Ingauni · Insubres · Norici · Osismii · Salassi · Salluvii · Senones · Sequani · Sotiates · Taurisci · Tencteri · Teurisci · Ubii · Usipetes · Veneti · Veneti (Gauls) · Vindelici · Volcae · Volcae (Gaul)

Exactly what a settlement must have, route by route (2)

Building	Also requires
Direct Rule	Tier 3 Military Industrial Complex · Tier 2 Colony
Homeland	Tier 2 Military Industrial Complex