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"Infantry. Only good against other infantry."
In-game description
The Spearman is the Egyptian standard infantry unit in Age of Mythology, and is trained at the Barracks from the Classical Age. It is faster and cheaper than the other standard infantry units and has better armor, but the lowest hit points. Like other basic infantry units Spearmen are a soft counter against cavalry and as such supposed to be cost-effective against most cavalry units. Heavier cavalry such as War Elephants and Jarls require hard counter units to be cost-effectively defeated. Spearmen however can be upgraded into hard counter units against cavalry through the myth technology Greatest of Fifty.
Strengths and Weaknesses
File:Grk-h-hippeus.png Hippeus • File:Grk-h-prodromos.png Prodromos • Spearman •  Jarl •  War Elephant •  Berserk •  Camel Rider •  Huskarl •  Hersir •  Raiding Cavalry
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File:Grk-h-toxotes.png Toxotes • File:Grk-h-hypaspist.png Hypaspist •  Cheiroballista •  Chariot Archer •  Throwing Axeman •  Axeman
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Technologies
General Technologies
| Image | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| File:Shared-t-copper-weapons.png | Copper Weapons | +10% damage |
| File:Shared-t-bronze-weapons.png | Bronze Weapons | +10% damage |
| File:Shared-t-iron-weapons.png | Iron Weapons | +10% damage |
| Image | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| File:Shared-t-copper-armor.png | Copper Armor | -15% Hack Vulnerability |
| File:Shared-t-bronze-armor.png | Bronze Armor | -15% Hack Vulnerability |
| File:Shared-t-iron-armor.png | Iron Armor | -15% Hack Vulnerability |
| File:Shared-t-copper-shields.png | Copper Shields | -15% Pierce Vulnerability |
| File:Shared-t-bronze-shields.png | Bronze Shields | -15% Pierce Vulnerability |
| File:Shared-t-iron-shields.png | Iron Shields | -15% Pierce Vulnerability |
| Image | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| File:Grk-t-levy-infantry.png | Levy Infantry | -20% training time |
| File:Grk-t-conscript-infantry.png | Conscript Infantry | -20% training time |
Myth Technologies
| Image | Name | God | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| File:Grk-t-phobos-spear-of-panic.png | Phobos' Spear of Panic | Ares | +1 divine damage |
| File:Grk-t-sarissa.png | Sarissa | Athena | +10% hack damage, +1 attack range |
| File:Grk-t-aegis-shield.png | Aegis Shield | Athena | -15% pierce vulnerability |
| File:Grk-t-oracle.png | Oracle | Apollo | +4 Line of Sight |
| File:Grk-t-dionysia.png | Dionysia | Dionysus | +5% hit points |
Upgrades
| Age | Upgrade | Cost | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| File:Infobox-age2.png Classical Age | File:Shared-t-medium-infantry.png Medium Infantry | File:Infobox-food.png 150, File:Infobox-gold.png 150, File:Infobox-time.png 20 seconds | Upgrades Hoplites to Medium: +10% hit points, +10% damage, +1 Line of Sight |
| File:Infobox-age3.png Heroic Age | File:Shared-t-heavy-infantry.png Heavy Infantry | File:Infobox-food.png 300, File:Infobox-gold.png 300, File:Infobox-time.png 30 seconds | Upgrades Hoplites to Medium: +15% hit points, +20% damage, +1 Line of Sight); requires Medium Infantry |
| File:Infobox-age4.png Mythic Age | File:Shared-t-champion-infantry.png Champion Infantry | File:Infobox-food.png 500, File:Infobox-gold.png 400, File:Infobox-time.png 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 |
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Gaia's Book of Knowledge | +3.0 attack multiplier vs. Titans |
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Pelt of Argus | +6 Line of Sight |
 |
Thundercloud Shawl | -5% pierce vulnerability |
 |
Gungnir, Odin's Spear | +5% attack |
Gameplay
Like all the Egyptian Classical Age units, Spearmen are specialized, though they are more versatile than Axemen and Slingers. Spearmen specialize against cavalry, like spearmen in the other Age of Empires games. As they are fairly fast, they are capable of attacking counter-archers such as the Slinger and Turma, and they also do bonus damage against the Turma. They can also close in on siege weapons, to which they do double damage. Their speed and low cost also makes them good scouts.
Spearmen should be used in conjunction with the other Egyptian units, since they are outmatched by other infantry units and standard archers can easily defeat them. Axemen or Slingers can be placed with them to balance out these weaknesses. From the Heroic Age onward, Spearmen are less useful, as the anti-cavalry role is handled better by Camel Rider, which are faster and also better against archers and anti-infantry. However, Spearmen are quicker to train and much cheaper, and so better against massed cavalry units at a pinch. Ra or Set players may also prefer to train Spearmen if they choose to worship Horus.
History
"The spear had several advantages as a weapon. Its length could keep enemies at a distance. The point narrowly focused the thrusting power and could penetrate most armor. It was relatively light and inexpensive, being made mostly of wood. Its disadvantage was that once the enemy was past the point, the spearman had little defense. Spears were especially good against horse when used by many men in formation holding the spear points out. Horses rarely charged into a bank of pointed spears, protecting all in the formation."
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