Offensive vs Defensive Spearmen

[lapdog666]

Why would i ever take defensive spearmen over offensive ones. provided i can choose

Only instance i can think of is if defensive spearmen are armoured , but in essence their "defensive trait" is just a penatly from a perspective of min maxing

[SnuggleBunnies]

They're cheaper.

[lapdog666]

They're cheaper.

do you have exact numbers for each ? if its a significant difference they might be viable

[SnuggleBunnies]

Same as ancients, 6pts. Just like in ancients, both types are equally bad at charging shock cav, so if you just need a defensive zoc or meatshield they're worth it. For example in ancients if I'm playing Sassanids I almost always max out the cheap Raw Levy Spearmen.

[Geffalrus]

Playing as the Polish in the Early Medieval list, defensive spearmen are great because of their cost. Allows you to ZoC pin more expensive units and hold them in place. In a pinch, you can force them into melee by temporarily putting a unit behind them to prevent a withdrawal when they lose on the charge. And since they're heavy infantry, the +1 to cohesion helps reduce the danger of Disrupting.

I find the Average ones the best value since if you're getting a Superior/Armored version, you really want the unit to be maximized for attacking when you want to force a breakthrough. In such a case, spending a few more points for a single unit to have +100 POA on attack is worth it. Spending a few more points a lot of times to fill out your line that's mostly going to be defensive anyway.........much less worthwhile.

Finally, if you're flanking with Defensive Spears, the lack of the 100 POA on attack is largely unnecessary. You already get the automatic cohesion drop and plenty of POA boosts from flanking and lower cohesion. Plus, once you're in melee, Defensive Spears are the same as Offensive Spears.