Gallic Javelineers

Summary
Javelineers are flexible missile infantry available to the Gallic faction group. They are one of two basic missile units available from the start of the game, alongside Gallic Slingers, with a short-ranged missile attack and limited melee capabilities.

"Flexible light infantry that can fight reasonably well in ranged or melee combat. Their light javelins allow them to move faster than spearmen, but without shields they are much less effective at blocking charges."

- In-game Description

History
Javelins were a popular ranged weapon among many peoples of Europe, and the Gauls were no exception. The Gauls were, however, not historically noted for being particularly proficient in ranged combat, with the developers probably adding a wide variety of missile options (including 2 distinct early-game missile brigades) to their roster to compensate for the lack of heavy infantry.

Tactics
Javelineers are a decent early-game missile brigade, having a significantly higher damage output than Slingers, as well as better defenses and melee capabilities, but have a slightly shorter missile range and are more expensive in both gold and recruits. They are a good choice for supporting your skirmishers in the early game, until the very good Gallic Archers become available, and can also have some limited use in melee to charge other ranged units.

Compared to other early-game javelin-based missile infantry, javelineers are stronger than Leves in both missile and melee combat, but significantly more expensive in gold. Peltasts, on the other hand, are even stronger than javelineers, but more expensive in recruits.