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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
 Hippeus •  Prodromos • Spearman •  Jarl •  War Elephant •  Berserk •  Camel Rider •  Huskarl •  Hersir •  Raiding Cavalry
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 Toxotes •  Hypaspist •  Cheiroballista •  Chariot Archer •  Throwing Axeman •  Axeman
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Technologies
General Technologies
| Image | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
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Copper Weapons | +10% damage |
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Bronze Weapons | +10% damage |
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Iron Weapons | +10% damage |
| Image | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
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Copper Armor | -15% Hack Vulnerability |
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Bronze Armor | -15% Hack Vulnerability |
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Iron Armor | -15% Hack Vulnerability |
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Copper Shields | -15% Pierce Vulnerability |
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Bronze Shields | -15% Pierce Vulnerability |
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Iron Shields | -15% Pierce Vulnerability |
| Image | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
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Levy Infantry | -20% training time |
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Conscript Infantry | -20% training time |
Myth Technologies
| Image | Name | God | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
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Phobos' Spear of Panic | Ares | +1 divine damage |
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Sarissa | Athena | +10% hack damage, +1 attack range |
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Aegis Shield | Athena | -15% pierce vulnerability |
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Oracle | Apollo | +4 Line of Sight |
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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 |
|---|---|---|
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Armor of Achilles | -5% hack vulnerability |
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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 |
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Thundercloud Shawl | -5% pierce vulnerability |
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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."
In-game compendium
Gallery
Trivia
Video
List of Units
