Pikeman, 18th century

Basic data


Type		Melee infantry

Statistics


Hit points		85

Sight		2000

Attack		Min: Pike: 9 Max: Pike: 21

Rate of fire		Very fast

Aggro Radius		700

Defense		Min: N/A Max: Sword: 15 Pike: 15 Bullet: 0 Arrow: 15 Cannon: 0 Grapeshot: 0

Range		100

Requirements


Built at		Barracks, 18th century

Cost		Food: 30 Gold: 2

Time		1.25

Pikeman, 18th century is a melee infantry unit in Cossacks 3, available at the Barracks, 18th century. It is the generic version of the 18th century pikeman family.

Background[ | ]

Firing fuse muskets was a very slow process, while the fire was far from being accurate or effective. Therefore pikemen squads were added to musketeer detachments in order to defend them from cavalry charges in open space. On average, pikemen constituted about 30% of the infantry during the Thirty Years War. Pikemen were virtually the last infantry force of European regular armies which was equipped with cuirasses. A pikeman's armour comprised an iron helm, a cuirass with knee-long leg-guards, narrow elbow-long shoulder-guards, and gauntlets with large cuffs. The total armour weight was about 20 kg (45 lb). It could protect from arrows, pistol bullets fired from more than 3-4 m (10-14 ft), and even musket bullets fired from large distances. Pikemen were armed with pikes with a wooden shaft of 5.2-5.8 m (17-19 ft) and swords. Pikemen were very effective in close fight; early in the 17th century, they were used both in attacks and for defence purposes.

In 1674, pikes played a significant role in the battle of Enzheim, when German cavalry did not dare to assault Turenne's pikemen square. However, as firearms were developed, the role of pikemen became less significant. Body armour was abolished here and there. Soldiers became more mobile and less expensive. By the end of the 17th century, pikemen were mainly used as defensive units. All European armies gradually refused pikemen, and their number fell considerably. Pikemen became armed with pistols and sometimes muskets.

In the 18th century, they use no armour and wear a customary uniform - a broadcloth caftan, a camisole (sometimes of elk or goat leather), trousers, and stockings. When it was cold, they also wore a cloak. Pikemen fought in tight arrays of six files each. Usually they were marshalled in a manner allowing musketeers to retreat behind them, while pikemen could easily form a square formation to protect musketeers from cavalry charges. Later, pikes gave place to bayonets in close fight. Bayonets were surely important in hand-to-hand fight, but by far not as good as pikes. Pikemen were the most battle-worthy infantry for close fighting.

Characteristics[ | ]

Infantryman armed with a long pike.
↑ Effective against both infantry and cavalry.
Average attack values.
↑ Very fast production speed.

Upgrades[ | ]

Barracks upgrades[ | ]

Attack upgrades[ | ]

Upgrade name	Level	Effect	Food	Gold
Conduct a fencing drill	II	Cold steel weapon attack +2	2000	800
Conduct a fencing drill	III	Cold steel weapon attack +2	8000	1200
Conduct a fencing drill	IV	Cold steel weapon attack +2	20000	2500
Conduct a fencing drill	V	Cold steel weapon attack +2	32000	2800
Conduct a fencing drill	VI	Cold steel weapon attack +2	32000	3800
Conduct a fencing drill	VII	Cold steel weapon attack +2	40500	4800

Defense upgrades[ | ]

Upgrade name	Level	Effect	Food	Gold
Conduct a physical training	II	Defense +2	1500	500
Conduct a physical training	III	Defense +3	7000	1550
Conduct a physical training	IV	Defense +2	37000	2000
Conduct a physical training	V	Defense +3	37000	5500
Conduct a physical training	VI	Defense +2	37000	5500
Conduct a physical training	VII	Defense +3	64600	5500

Trivia[ | ]

The only military unit in the game who has no prerequisites whatsoever, making it your last hope when all of your buildings are captured/destroyed.

Units

Infantry

Melee infantry		Basic Pikeman, 17th century Polish Pikeman, 17th century Ottoman Pikeman Spearman Light Infantryman Roundshier Advanced Pikeman, 18th century Swedish Pikeman, 18th century Mercenaries Light Infantryman (mercenary) Roundshier (mercenary)

Ranged infantry		Basic Strelets Musketeer, 17th century Austrian Musketeer, 17th century Polish Musketeer, 17th century Spanish Musketeer, 17th century Serdiuk Janissary Algerian Archer Advanced Musketeer, 18th century Prussian Musketeer, 18th century Grenadier Chasseur Highlander Pandur Mercenaries Grenadier (mercenary) Algerian Archer (mercenary)

Support infantry		Workers German Peasant Ukrainian Peasant Turkish Peasant Serf Poland Peasant Mediterranean Peasant Western Peasant Military officers Commander Officer, 17th century Turkish Officer Officer, 18th century Military musicians Russian Drummer, 17th century Drummer, 17th century Turkish Drummer, 17th century Drummer, 18th century Bagpiper Healers Priest Pope Mullah

Cavalry

Fast cavalry		Basic Croat Winged Hussar Sich Cossack Advanced Hussar Prussian Hussar Mercenary Sich Cossack (mercenary)

Regular cavalry		Basic Reiter Swedish Reiter Light Reiter Hetman Don Cossack Vityaz Register Cossack Spakh Mameluke Advanced Cuirassier

Ranged cavalry		Basic King's Musketeer Tatar Dragoon, 17th century Advanced Dragoon, 18th century French Dragoon, 18th century Mercenary Dragoon, 18th century (mercenary)