Description
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.
Stats
| Rank in roster | ||
|---|---|---|
| Men per unit | 40 | ███······· 30% |
| Attack | 11 | ███······· 34% |
| Charge bonus | 17 | ███████··· 71% |
| Defence | 51 | ██████████ 95% |
| · armour | 12 | ███████··· 69% |
| · defence skill | 32 | ██████████ 97% |
| · shield | 7 | █████████· 91% |
| Morale | 12 | ██████···· 57% |
| Discipline | Normal | |
| Training | Highly trained | |
| Recruitment cost | 2,149 dn | ██████···· 55% |
| Upkeep per turn | 787 dn | ████████·· 76% |
| Turns to recruit | 4 |
Weapons
| Primary | Secondary | Primary | Secondary | Primary | Secondary | 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 | — |
Defence
| Primary | Secondary | Primary | Secondary | Primary | Secondary | Primary | Secondary | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 51 | — | Armour | 12 | — | Defence skill | 32 | — | Shield | 7 | — |
Condition and terrain
| 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
Who can recruit it
A core roster unit for one faction, which can raise it anywhere it holds the right building:
Exactly what a settlement must have, route by route (2)
| Building | Also requires | Building | Also requires | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direct Rule | Tier 3 Military Industrial Complex · Tier 2 Colony | Homeland | Tier 2 Military Industrial Complex |