<?xml version="1.0" ?><?encoding UTF-16?><?xml-stylesheet type="text/xsl" href="../xsl/unit.xsl"?><unit><full_name>dacian skirmisher komatai epilektoi</full_name><dictionary>dacian_skirmisher_komatai_epilektoi</dictionary><category>infantry</category><class>heavy</class><voice_type>Light_1</voice_type><soldier><name>dacian_missile_komatai_epilektoikomatai</name><soldiers>30</soldiers><extras>0</extras><mass>1.15</mass></soldier><mount_effect>elephant +1, chariot +2</mount_effect><attributes>sea_faring, hide_improved_forest, mercenary_unit, very_hardy, hide_long_grass</attributes><formation><side_spacing>1.2</side_spacing><front_spacing>1.6</front_spacing><loose_side_spacing>3</loose_side_spacing><loose_front_spacing>4</loose_front_spacing><ranks>4</ranks><formations>square</formations></formation><stat_health><hit_points>1</hit_points><animal_hit_points>1</animal_hit_points></stat_health><stat_pri><attack>6</attack><charge>6</charge><missile_type>javelin</missile_type><range>47.3</range><ammo>3</ammo><weapon_type>thrown</weapon_type><tech_type>simple</tech_type><dammage_type>piercing</dammage_type><sound>spear</sound><min_delay>10</min_delay><lethality>1</lethality></stat_pri><stat_pri_attr>prec, thrown</stat_pri_attr><stat_sec><attack>12</attack><charge>6</charge><missile_type>no</missile_type><range>0</range><ammo>0</ammo><weapon_type>melee</weapon_type><tech_type>blade</tech_type><dammage_type>slashing</dammage_type><sound>sword</sound><min_delay>0</min_delay><lethality>0.225</lethality></stat_sec><stat_sec_attr>no</stat_sec_attr><stat_pri_armour><armour>9</armour><def_skill>13</def_skill><shield>3</shield><sound>metal</sound></stat_pri_armour><stat_sec_armour><armour>0</armour><def_skill>0</def_skill><sound>flesh</sound></stat_sec_armour><stat_heat>3</stat_heat><stat_ground><scrub>0</scrub><sand>0</sand><forest>1</forest><snow>-1</snow></stat_ground><stat_mental><morale>16</morale><discipline>disciplined</discipline><training>trained</training></stat_mental><stat_fire_delay>0</stat_fire_delay><stat_food>60, 300</stat_food><stat_cost><turns>1</turns><cost>2968</cost><upkeep>742</upkeep><upgrade_weapon>30</upgrade_weapon><upgrade_armour>40</upgrade_armour><custom_battle>2968</custom_battle></stat_cost><ownership>dacia</ownership><description><name>Komatai Epilektoi (Dacian Elite Skirmishers)</name><short>The Komatai Epilektoi are medium infantry excelling at hand-to-hand combat. They are lighter than most medium infantry, preferring mobility over protection.</short><long>

The Komatai Epilektoi are, literally, a unit of soldiers selected from among the Komatai. The basic komatai, equipped as fast-moving, hard-hitting skirmishers, made up a large percentage of most tribal armies, along with a number of archers and a mix of cavalry. Selected for their better equipment and superior physical abilities, the Komatai Epilektoi are a step beyond the standard Komatai. Equipped with the same studded leather armor worn over baggy trousers and woolen shirts, most of these men also wear greaves under their trousers and a simple iron helmet. They also can afford higher quality shields and better weapons: two heavier, well-made iron throwing spears and a Celtic long-sword are fairly standard. With their better equipment, they can stand in the battle line. Really, they are best used as ambushers and flankers, or for quick assaults against formations against which the other Komatai would falter. Like many other Getai units, they are vulnerable to ranged fire, especially from the flanks or rear. so be sure to screen them when conducting hit-and-run attacks.

Historically, light line infantry were common in Getic armies. Archaeologically, while higher quality weapons become much more common in Getic areas, increased armor does not, or at least not to so great an extent. This seems to reflect a Getic preference for mobility over protection, which fits well with what we know of Getic religiousity and their penchant for hit-and-run tactics.</long></description></unit>