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

The Epilektoi were small in number (possibly only 1000 men), but permanently kept on standby, different from basically all other military forces of Hellenistic Athens, bar some of the mercenaries who garrisoned the forts of Attica. Armed as Hoplites, the Epilektoi are recruited from among wealthy and brave citizens who could afford a full bronze muscle cuirass, a richly decorated Attic or Thracian helmet with engraved cheek guards and a bronze coated Aspis shield. Possibly some or all of them fought in the style of the Iphicratean Peltasts (Thompson 1983), but unfortunately this remains speculation. In any case, they are Athens’ best infantry unit and should be deployed wisely.

	Primary	Secondary
Attack	11	—
Charge bonus	17	—
Type	melee · blade	—
Damage	piercing	—
Properties	Light spear (braced against cavalry charges from the front) · +8 attack against cavalry	—

	Primary	Secondary
Total	51	—
Armour	12	—
Defence skill	32	—
Shield	7	—

Hit points	1
Ground: scrub / sand / forest / snow	-1 / -1 / -4 / -1
Charge distance	30
Formations	Square

Technical stats

Time between blows (primary / secondary)	2.5 s / —
Extra fatigue in hot climates	3
Collision mass per man (1.0 is normal)	1.3
Spacing between men: close / loose	1 × 1.05 m / 2 × 2.4 m
Default ranks	5

In battle: Can sap · Very good stamina

A core roster unit for one faction, which can raise it anywhere it holds the right building:

Athens

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