Spearman (Age of Empires II)


 * For the Age of Mythology unit, see Spearman (Age of Mythology).

The Spearman is an infantry unit in Age of Empires II. They are a decent early anti-Cavalry Unit, but are weak against virtually everything else. A Spearman is the only military unit that outright loses to a villager with loom. They are created at the Barracks in the Feudal Age and cost no gold, making it useful for an early choice if there is not much gold available.

Tactics
Despite their bonus they will lose in a one-on-one battle with most cavalry. However, they are very cheap and massed easily, allowing them to overwhelm enemy cavalry. They are useful in preventing Light Cavalry charges, but against Castle Age Cavalry such as Knights, Cavalry Archer or the War Elephant they should be upgraded to the more effective Pikemen. Players must use this unit for defend themselves from cavalry raidings for the most part.

Civilizations bonuses

 * Aztecs: Spearmen are produced +15% faster.
 * Celts Spearmen move 15% faster. Herdables cannot be stolen within a unit's Line of Sight.
 * Chinese Technologies that benefits Spearman are 10%/15%/20% cheaper in Feudal/Castle/Imperial age.
 * Goths Spearmen are 35% cheaper and have +1 attack vs buildings.
 * Japanese Spearmen attack 25% faster.
 * Spanish Blacksmith upgrades for Spearmen don't cost gold
 * Vikings Spearmen +20% hit points
 * Byzantines spear-line units are cheaper.
 * Magyars get Forging, Iron Casting and Blast Furnace for free that upgrades the attack for Spearmen
 * Slavs have Tracking upgrade for free.
 * Malians: Spearmen gains +1 pierce armor per Age (starting from Feudal Age)
 * Ethiopians: Pikeman and Halberdier upgrades are free.

Team Bonuses

 * A team containing Goths produce Spearmen 20% faster.
 * A team containing Teutons, Spearmen are more resistant to conversion.

The Forgotten Changes

 * Spearman +1 attack vs. camels
 * Goths: Spearmen have +2 attack vs buildings instead of +1.
 * Vikings: Hit point bonus now staggered. (10%, 15%, 20% in Feudal/Castle/Imperial age)

History
"The medium infantry of medieval armies were often spearmen wearing half-armor, usually a helmet and armor on the upper body. As the Middle Ages advanced, the role of the spearman became more important. Armies learned to employ large formations of spearmen as a counter to heavy cavalry attacks because horses would not charge home against a bristling wall of spear points. Spearmen were most effective when emulating the ancient Greek phalanx, a dense box of men that could extend several spear points in a chosen direction. As towns grew in importance toward the end of the period, they fielded large contingents of trained spearmen. These were very effective in battle for the cost of their equipment and training. Spearmen were originally deployed in a defensive posture, but the best of the spearman armies, such as the Swiss, Scots, and Flemish, learned to maneuver and take the offensive."

- Age of Empires II manual