<?xml version="1.0" ?><?encoding UTF-16?><?xml-stylesheet type="text/xsl" href="../xsl/unit.xsl"?><unit><full_name>dacian infantry rhompharoi thorakitai</full_name><dictionary>dacian_infantry_rhompharoi_thorakitai</dictionary><category>infantry</category><class>heavy</class><voice_type>Light_1</voice_type><soldier><name>dacian_infantry_rhompharoi_thorakitai</name><soldiers>30</soldiers><extras>0</extras><mass>1.18</mass></soldier><mount_effect>elephant -1</mount_effect><attributes>sea_faring, hide_improved_forest, hardy</attributes><formation><side_spacing>1.6</side_spacing><front_spacing>1.4</front_spacing><loose_side_spacing>2.4</loose_side_spacing><loose_front_spacing>2.4</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>11</attack><charge>8</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>0.285</lethality></stat_pri><stat_pri_attr>ap</stat_pri_attr><stat_sec><attack>0</attack><charge>0</charge><missile_type>no</missile_type><range>0</range><ammo>0</ammo><weapon_type>no</weapon_type><tech_type>no</tech_type><dammage_type>no</dammage_type><sound>none</sound><min_delay>0</min_delay><lethality>0.1</lethality></stat_sec><stat_sec_attr>no</stat_sec_attr><stat_pri_armour><armour>12</armour><def_skill>11</def_skill><shield>1</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>4</stat_heat><stat_ground><scrub>0</scrub><sand>0</sand><forest>-2</forest><snow>-2</snow></stat_ground><stat_mental><morale>15</morale><discipline>impetuous</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>2899</cost><upkeep>725</upkeep><upgrade_weapon>100</upgrade_weapon><upgrade_armour>25</upgrade_armour><custom_battle>2899</custom_battle></stat_cost><ownership>gauls, scythia, slave, britons, germans, romans_julii, romans_brutii, romans_scipii, numidia, macedon, thrace, greek_cities, egypt, carthage, spain, seleucid, dacia, pontus, parthia, armenia, saba</ownership><description><name>Thraikioi Rhomphaiaphoroi (Elite Thracian Infantry)</name><short>These warriors are the elite infantry of the Thraikian tribes, they are well-armored, and with carrying the vicious rhomphaia, they are effective anti-armor warriors.</short><long>Impetuous
Hardy
Expert at Hiding in Woods

The elite infantry of the Thraikian tribes are armed with the heaviest of Thraikian weapons, the rhomphaia. Unlike most other Thraikian warriors, these warriors can afford relatively heavy armor and are thus armored with chain mail or scale cuirasses, Phrygian helmets--often with elaborately moulded cheek pieces, bronze greaves and a pelta. They are armored infantry killers of great renown, well able to chop their way through heavily armored enemy soldiers. These soldiers can even be effective against armored horsemen, since their large rhomphaia have been known to sheer through the legs of horses. In the right hands, this band of warriors can be a devastating battle-winning force in itself.

Historically, there were relatively few of these soldiers in any Thraikian army, but they were always at the forefront, where the fighting was thickest. Each had risen to a position of power within his respective tribe, often they formed the elite troops of the chief or local king. The Rhomphaiaphoroi represent the pinnacle of the Thrakian military know-how. In the old Thraikian way of battle, the Rhomphaiaphoroi would form the brunt of a decisive charge, once the Peltastai had worn down the enemy. Their charge was nearly unstoppable, and often led to outright routs against less stalwart opponents, as their fearful Rhomphaia, sturdy weapons composed of nearly two meters of heavy iron, could pierce thick armor, and cleave limb from torso with little trouble. With their row of long iron points, bands of Rhomphaiaphoroi could also defend against oncoming horse, and when wielded by a skilled swordsman a single blow could hamstring a horse or sever an enemy’s limbs.</long></description></unit>