The Plumed Spearman is a melee heavy infantry which takes the role of Pikeman for the Inca. It is very similar to the Quechua Huaminca and Maya Holcan Spearman in terms of statistics. Although it costs 40 more resources than a Pikeman, It does slightly less damage to cavalry. This offset is, however, minimized because of the extra hitpoints, fair siege attack, and the high food and low wood cost. It is easy to mass Plumed Spearmen, thanks to the Inca's Kancha Houses that supply sufficient food and population to train them in complete and consecutive batches.
They can be used both aggressively and defensively, and they become most effective when combined with an army of Jungle Bowmen and Chimu Runners. Much like most melee heavy infantry, they are fragile versus ranged infantry and artillery.
The standing army of the Inca was formed primarily by nobles, but the Sapa Inca could raise an army of able-bodied men from the general populace at will. Military discipline was strictly enforced when the troops were on the march and the army, although variously specialized, was extremely well trained. They wore cloth armor that breathed well, allowed for free movement, and dissipated the force of blows. Battles tended to open with a hail of projectile weaponry before the forces closed in melee combat. Inca spears were sharpened lengths of wood, hardened on fire. Their halberd had a bronze-bladed axe opposite a hook and crowned by a stabbing point, allowing their spearmen a variety of available uses and fighting tactics.