Illyric Peltasts

Summary
Peltasts are flexible missile skirmishers available to the Illyric faction group from the start of the game, capable of providing good missile support while also being able to hold their own in melee engagements against light units.

"Light infantry that fight with javelin and spear in open formation. They can support battleline troops with their ranged attack or conduct raids and reconnaissance on their own."

- In-game Description

History
Peltasts were a type of light infantry originating among the Thracians and Paeonians of the southeastern Balkan Peninsula, which spread to the Greeks starting from the 5th Century BC. The Illyrians, being related to the Thracians and Paeonians and culturally influenced by the Greeks, were renowned for their skill at guerilla warfare and piracy and likely employed very similar units.

Tactics
Peltasts are excellent early game units with a very strong ranged attack, capable of operating independently and easily defeating other early game units with a bit of micromanagement. As heavy infantry becomes prevalent, peltasts are well-suited to provide supporting fire for hoplites and, later, swordsmen. In a pinch, their melee stats are good enough for them to act as light spearmen, which can be useful in pitched battles to temporarily plug holes in the battleline and prevent flanking.

Illyric Peltasts are some of the strongest ranged units in-game. Only archers and Latin and Sabellic late-game infantry deal higher missile damage, though the Latin and Sabellic infantry have less range while archers have far greater range but are far less capable in melee combat. Illyric Peltasts have the additional benefit of being available from the earliest stages of the game, not requiring any building upgrades or progression in the military skill tree.

Illyric Peltasts have greater speed and damage than Greek Peltasts, but are also slightly more expensive in gold. Gallic Javelineers are similar but notably weaker, but require less recruits per unit. Latin Velites and Sabellic Javelineers are similar to Peltasts as well, but require progression in the military skill tree before they are available. As such, Illyric Peltasts are arguably the best among this type of flexible heavy javelineer unit, and are a notable strength of the Illyric faction group.