Description
The Chalkaspides (literally "Bronze Shields" or "Brass Shields") were the main regiment of Macedonian phalangites in the Antigonid army. Recruited from among the peasants of Macedon proper (the regions around Pella) they were the backbone and most famous unit of the Antigonid army, featuring in all major battles and remaining virtually undefeated for over a century. Usually, the peasants would receive about a year of military training before then being levied every time they were needed, as is attested e.g. by Polybios (Polyb. V, 97, 3-4). They existed before the Leukaspides ("White Shields") and normally numbered about 5000 men. As the heirs of the phalanx of Alexander the Great, they were the most reliable non-guard regiment of the Antigonid army, being made up of more able and experienced men than the later Leukaspides or any local or momentarily formed unit.
Stats
| Rank in roster | ||
|---|---|---|
| Men per unit | 60 | █████████· 87% |
| Attack | 20 | ██████████ 98% |
| Charge bonus | 2 | █········· 11% |
| Defence | 26 | ███······· 32% |
| · armour | 10 | █████····· 54% |
| · defence skill | 13 | █········· 13% |
| · shield | 3 | ████······ 37% |
| Morale | 11 | ████······ 39% |
| Discipline | Normal | |
| Training | Highly trained | |
| Recruitment cost | 2,094 dn | █████····· 53% |
| Upkeep per turn | 843 dn | ████████·· 81% |
| Turns to recruit | 3 |
Weapons
| Primary | Secondary | Primary | Secondary | Primary | Secondary | Primary | Secondary | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Attack | 20 | 5 | Charge bonus | 2 | 2 | Type | melee · blade | melee · simple | Damage | piercing | piercing |
| Properties | Long spear (bonus against cavalry, penalty against infantry) · +8 attack against cavalry · very long pike (phalanx) | — |
Defence
| Primary | Secondary | Primary | Secondary | Primary | Secondary | Primary | Secondary | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 26 | — | Armour | 10 | — | Defence skill | 13 | — | Shield | 3 | — |
Condition and terrain
| Hit points | 1 | Ground: scrub / sand / forest / snow | -4 / -1 / -6 / -1 | Charge distance | 0 | Formations | Square · Phalanx |
Technical stats
| Time between blows (primary / secondary) | 2.5 s / 2.5 s | Extra fatigue in hot climates | 1 | Collision mass per man (1.0 is normal) | 1.09 | Spacing between men: close / loose | 1 × 1 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 (3)
| Building | Also requires | Building | Also requires | Building | Also requires | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indirect Rule | Tier 2 Military Industrial Complex · Tier 1 Colony | Direct Rule | Tier 2 Military Industrial Complex · Tier 1 Colony | Homeland | Tier 2 Military Industrial Complex |