Helepolis: Difference between revisions

Content deleted Content added

Inline

Latest revision as of 01:23, 6 November 2024

"Siege weapon. A rolling tower that can transport units and fire ballista bolts at buildings."
In-game description

The Helepolis (plural: Helepoleis) is a Greek siege tower unit available in the Mythic Age. It shoots multiple bolts from close range which do both pierce and crush damage.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Strong vs.
Hippeus • Prodromos • Spearman • Jarl • War Elephant • Berserk • Camel Rider • Huskarl • Hersir • Raiding Cavalry

Weak vs.
Toxotes • Hypaspist • Cheiroballista • Chariot Archer • Throwing Axeman • Axeman

Technologies

General Technologies

Offense
Image	Name	Description
	Copper Weapons	+10% damage
	Bronze Weapons	+10% damage
	Iron Weapons	+10% damage

Defense
Image	Name	Description
	Copper Armor	-15% Hack Vulnerability
	Bronze Armor	-15% Hack Vulnerability
	Iron Armor	-15% Hack Vulnerability
	Copper Shields	-15% Pierce Vulnerability
	Bronze Shields	-15% Pierce Vulnerability
	Iron Shields	-15% Pierce Vulnerability

Utility
Image	Name	Description
	Levy Infantry	-20% training time
	Conscript Infantry	-20% training time

Myth Technologies

Name	God	Description
Phobos' Spear of Panic	Ares	+1 divine damage
Sarissa	Athena	+10% hack damage, +1 attack range
Aegis Shield	Athena	-15% pierce vulnerability
Oracle	Apollo	+4 Line of Sight
Dionysia	Dionysus	+5% hit points

Upgrades

Age	Upgrade	Cost	Effect
Classical Age	Medium Infantry	150, 150, 20 seconds	Upgrades Hoplites to Medium: +10% hit points, +10% damage, +1 Line of Sight
Heroic Age	Heavy Infantry	300, 300, 30 seconds	Upgrades Hoplites to Medium: +15% hit points, +20% damage, +1 Line of Sight); requires Medium Infantry
Mythic Age	Champion Infantry	500, 400, 40 seconds	Upgrades Hoplites to Medium: +20% hit points, +30% damage, +1 Line of Sight); requires Heavy Infantry

Relic Bonuses

Image	Name	Description
	Armor of Achilles	-5% hack vulnerability
	Canopic Jar of Imsety	+25% training speed
	Gaia's Book of Knowledge	+3.0 attack multiplier vs. Titans
	Pelt of Argus	+6 Line of Sight
	Thundercloud Shawl	-5% pierce vulnerability
	Gungnir, Odin's Spear	+5% attack

Gameplay

Hoplites are best used to counter cavalry units. However, in a skirmish, most cavalry units will simply be able to run away from them. Hoplites are quite versatile as they can defeat most other infantry units. However, like all infantry they are vulnerable to counter-infantry and ranged soldiers (except for Turmae).

Hoplites are well armored, and, of the four standard infantry units, they have the most hit points - far more than the Spearman and Berserk. However, they are also the most expensive, slowest, and have the longest training time. This makes rushing with them more difficult, except for Zeus players, whose Hoplites move faster and do extra damage to buildings.

History

"The predominate Greek soldier of antiquity was the Hoplite, named after the great round shield he carried into battle. Hoplites wore helmets, leg armor, and chest armor, and carried a great long spear. They fought in dense columns with the spear points from several ranks projecting out from the formation. They thus presented a formidable block bristling with spears held above the shoulder. In battle they would close with the enemy as a pushing wall of shields, stabbing with their spears over the shields. Men behind would push those in front and stab over them. This fighting was face-to-face and terrifying, requiring high skill and discipline. Battles were usually short but deadly. Before the rise of the Hoplite, most army fighting had been more long-range archery and posturing. The Greeks made war personal and intense, and Hoplites dominated ancient battlefields for centuries."
In-game compendium

Gallery

Trivia

The Hoplite went through a few design changes throughout the development. Originally, they would wear linothorax armor in their Champion upgrade.
Hoplites were also to use square shields, inspired by the Mycenaeans tower shields, some months before release. However, Ensemble Studios decided to revert back to them using Hoplon-type shields, most likely because they were more distinctive.