Land units | Army TW: Rome II Guide

Last update: 11 May 2016

Spear infantry

This basic formation is the backbone of any ancient army. It could consist either of poorly trained slaves, as well as elite Roman triarii. Those units often have many special abilities, allowing quick movement on the battlefield and guaranteeing bonuses in fights with cavalry or in case of Hellenic factions, allowing transformation of the unit into a phalanx. You'll find here Germanic tribal units, elite triarii or exotic Numidian spearmen.

This kind of infantry has been equipped with several meters pikes, which can be used to create phalanx - Land units | Army - Army - Total War: Rome II Game Guide

Pike infantry

This kind of infantry has been equipped with several meters pikes, which can be used to create phalanx. In contrast to spear infantry, pike infantry hits enemy from a safe distance, slowly destroying enemy units and having small losses. Unfortunately, this formation has one big disadvantage: it is very hard to maneuver such units, so they can be easily flanked and destroyed. Charging the rear of the phalanx almost always results in destroying it. You'll find here both Egyptian pikemen and Hellenic royal guard.

This formation is equipped with melee weapons such axes or swords - Land units | Army - Army - Total War: Rome II Game Guide

Melee infantry

This formation is equipped with melee weapons such axes or swords. These units typically are characterized by better attack abilities and higher damage inflicted than spearmen, so it is usually used to break enemy lines. These are particularly useful during clashes with best armored enemy units. In this category you'll find axemen, Roman hastati or berserkers.

This infantry equipped with projectile weapons is used to harass the enemy with continuous attacks - Land units | Army - Army - Total War: Rome II Game Guide

Missile infantry

This infantry equipped with projectile weapons is used to harass the enemy with continuous attacks. You'll find here slingers, archers or javelinmen - each of them serves to reducing number of enemy units. Unfortunately those troops are very poorly armored, so one decisive charge of cavalry or chariots is able to destroy even the entire unit. Depending on weaponry they can be placed directly behind the heavy infantry line (archers, slingers) or in front of it - skirmishers equipped with javelins will quickly force the enemy to take offensive actions.

This is light armored cavalry, serving rather as auxiliary units that the main striking force - Land units | Army - Army - Total War: Rome II Game Guide

Melee cavalry

This is light armored cavalry, serving rather as auxiliary units that the main striking force. Those units can easily attack skirmishers or enemy light infantry, but should avoid clashes with spearmen or heavy armored infantry which can stand cavalry charge. You'll find here Roman equites or Arabian cavalry.

This is heavy cavalry, able to destroy even medium armored enemy infantry - Land units | Army - Army - Total War: Rome II Game Guide

Shock cavalry

This is heavy cavalry, able to destroy even medium armored enemy infantry. When they get to the enemy army flank, they can easily force it to withdraw. Their worst enemy is large units of heavy armored spearmen and pikemen. In the shock cavalry you'll find Sarmatian lancers and Hellenic cataphracts among others.

Just like missile infantry, this type of cavalry is equipped with projectile weapons - Land units | Army - Army - Total War: Rome II Game Guide

Missile cavalry

Just like missile infantry, this type of cavalry is equipped with projectile weapons. Thanks to high mobility it is able to attack exposed flanks of enemy formation and get to the light armored enemy units without any problems. Its biggest disadvantage is very poor effectiveness in melee combat and often a very weak armor. It must avoid enemy projectile units and cavalry, however, in clashes with other formations it will almost always win. Missile cavalry usually originates from steppes and deserts, hence you can find here Sarmatian raiders and Numidian cavalry among others.

Or antique tank - Land units | Army - Army - Total War: Rome II Game Guide

Chariot

Or "antique tank". They are greatly armored, mobile and capable to shoot at the enemy. They are mostly used to break down enemy formations. They perform excellently during the charge, especially on light and medium armored enemy units. Unfortunately, their biggest disadvantage is small size and vulnerability to long-termed melee fights. An experienced chariots commander should use them to perform a charge and then withdraw them in order to prepare the next attack.

Elephant

These animals, like chariots, are used to break down enemy lines, but unlike war machines they can stand longer in melee fight. On the other hand they are much more vulnerable to projectiles - flaming arrows or spears can quickly deplete their numbers. There are two kinds of elephants in the game: Indian and African, available in Far East and North Africa.

Youll find here many types of machines used to throw heavy projectiles or arrows towards enemy - Land units | Army - Army - Total War: Rome II Game Guide

War machines

You'll find here many types of machines used to throw heavy projectiles or arrows towards enemy. Ballista, scorpions or onagers have the greatest range within all distance units, but have also one, huge disadvantage - their limited mobility makes them very vulnerable so they have to be constantly protected by infantry units. War machines are irreplaceable during sieges - they can destroy enemy defenses, allowing your troops to assault the enemy settlement.

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