Halberdier (Age of Empires III)

The Halberdier is a heavy infantry unit in Age of Empires III.

Overview
The Halberdier is a powerful hand infantry unit, good against almost everything, but slow in movement. Veteran Halberdier is available at the Barracks once Fortress Age is reached. They start out in the Veteran rank in all civilizations without the need of an upgrade. They are similar to the Pikeman in terms of its purpose and function. However, they have more health, deal more damage to cavalry and buildings, and can also be upgraded to Imperial status. They are a superior replacement to the Pikeman once the Fortress Age is reached. They are the melee version of the Musketeer, good against both cavalry and infantry.

Civilizations

 * The Dutch are able to research the Nassau Halberdier upgrade in the Industrial Age, which is more powerful than a Guard Halberdier.
 * The Russians train their Halberdiers in a group of four units at a time from their Blockhouses
 * The Spanish cannot train Halberdiers, but have the ability to upgrade their Pikemen up to Tercio Pikemen instead. They can also send a group of thirteen Guard Halberdiers with Quatrefage from their Church when improved with Royal Decree to Claim the New World Card is shipped and once [[File:Resources wood.png]] is invested.
 * Similar to the Spanish, the British, Germans and Ottomans do not have Halberdiers, however there are no cards related to gaining them either.

Technologies
Halberdiers benefit from Technologies found in the Arsenal though, better improvements for them are available at the Barracks  once the player advances through the Ages.

Guard Halberdier
The Guard Halberdier is the next rank available to every civilization except for the Spanish and the Dutch. The Technology needed to produce them is available in the Industrial Age at the Barracks. and is required prior to research. This Technology improves the Hit points and the attack of the Halberdier greatly however the multipliers as well as their speed remains the same.

Imperial Halberdier
The Imperial Halberdier is the highest rank available to every civilization except for the Spanish and the Dutch. The Technology needed to produce them is available in the Imperial Age at the Barracks. and is required prior to research. This Technology improves the Hit points and the attack of the Halberdier greatly however the multipliers as well as their speed remains the same.

Nassauer Halberdier
With Nassau's Linear Tactics, the Nassau Halberdier is exclusive only to the Dutch and the Technology needed to produce them is available in the Industrial Age at the Barracks. and is required prior to research. This Technology improves the Hit points and the attack of the Halberdier greatly however the multipliers as well as their speed remains the same.

This is a list of techs that benefit Halberdiers in any way

History
"Riders with lances had better range than halberdiers, so halberdiers often fought alongside Pikemen. The axe blade of a halberd was more than capable of cleaving plate armor, flesh and bone alike, but because the halberdier had to swing the long weapon with both hands, he was virtually defenseless when attacking. This required tight coordination and unwavering resolve within a regiment of halberdiers. The halberd is essentially a very long-handled axe. It was a six foot staff of stout oak or ash topped by a long, stabbing spear point and a heavy axe blade balanced by a spike. The spear point was used to thrust and stab, the axe blade to cut through a mounted warrior's heavy armor, and the spike opposite the axe blade to push, or pull, riders off balance."

Trivia

 * The Halberdier's function and it's availability in the third age is similar to the Hoplite and Phalanx from the original Age of Empires.
 * Despite being a German-origin weapon, and being used by the British, and Spanish, none of them use it, for balance reasons.
 * The Dutch Royal Guard Halberdiers is named after the fact that Maurice of Nassau is the first to utilize linear infantry tactics in a large scale.