Macedonian Phalangites

Summary
Macedonian Phalangites are a very powerful infantry brigade introduced by the Eagle King DLC as a stronger version of regular Greek Phalangites. They are only available as a starting unit for certain Greek factions in the Invasion Sandbox, and can also sometimes make an appearance as a mercenary unit, but only for Greek factions. They benefit from having a very long reach in combat thanks to their long pikes, allowing them to perform much better than their stats would suggest.

"The phalangite was first developed in Macedon by Philip II and his son Alexander the Great. Though other Greeks would later adopt this tactic, Macedon in particular was famous for its more skilled phalangites."

- In-game Description

History
Phalangites were a development of the hoplites with smaller shields and extra long spears, originating in Macedonia in the 4th Century BC. Several Greek city-states began experimenting with phalangite formations of their own in the 3rd Century BC, but it is unknown if and to what extent they were adopted by any of the city-states in Magna Graecia.

Tactics
Macedonian Phalangites are similar to normal Phalangites but have a significantly improved damage output, as well as having slightly improved charge strength, charge block, and movement speed stats.

Macedonian Phalangites are individually not the strongest infantry unit, with similar stats to basic Hoplites available from the start of the game. However, phalangites have a very powerful hidden benefit in the long reach of their attack animations, allowing soldiers that would otherwise be idly standing by to contribute damage to the enemy as well, such as those in the back rows of the formation.

In an even fight with full-strength brigades and no flanking maneuvers, this effect can be extremely powerful and allows phalangites to overcome even the strongest enemies. However, their reach bonus is of little benefit in situations where there would normally be few idle soldiers anyway, such as when the brigade is not at full strength or attacked on multiple sides. The effectiveness of phalangites is therefore very variable, and it is extra important to ensure the brigade is not outflanked.

Since Macedonian Phalangites are only available as mercenaries, it isn't possible to replenish their losses. Since the effectiveness of the phalangites' reach bonus drops off quickly if the brigade isn't at full strength, the cost-effectiveness of these mercenaries therefore drops off rather quickly when taking losses, and it may be worthwhile to just disband them if the brigade is at low strength.

Due to their low missile resistance, phalangites are also not very good at tanking missile fire or maintaining sieges, which is better left to heavier units.