Sabellic Spearmen

Summary
Spearmen are a basic melee infantry brigade available to the Sabellic and Sicilian faction groups. They are cheap and available from the start of the game, with somewhat defensively-oriented stats.

"Equipped with shields and spears, they are better armoured but less offensive and slower than skirmishers. Using a battleline stance, spearmen are well suited for blocking enemy charges, or to hold enemy units in place while lighter troops attempt to flank."

- In-game Description

History
The earliest form of Italic infantry were likely family-based bands of lightly armed warriors that operated as raiders and cattle rustlers rather than fighting in organized battles. In-game, spearmen act as a stand-in for various early melee warriors that didn't fight as hoplites.

Tactics
Spearmen are the first melee brigade available to the Sabellic factions and will likely be the main component of armies in the very early game, before being replaced by hoplites, though spearmen can still have their uses alongside hoplites in a flanking role, owing to their higher speed and cheaper cost. Their low cost also makes them very viable as city garrisons to defend the walls and maintain public order.

Sabellic Spearmen are one of the weaker early-game infantry brigades, with a lower attack than Illyric Spearmen and less missile resistance than those of the Greeks. Etruscan Spearmen have better defenses though at a slightly higher cost. Gallic and Illyric Skirmishers have lower defenses, but are still more cost-effective overall thanks to their higher damage output. Only Latin Spearmen are slightly weaker with a lower charge strength.