Latin Velites

Summary
Velites are flexible javelineers available to the Latin faction group in the mid-late game, capable of providing good missile support while also being able to hold their own in melee engagements against light units.

"The velites (singular veles) are soldiers from the manipular Roman style of tactics. Equipped with small shields, a wolfskin helm and javelins, they were used to break up enemy formations before melee units from the maniple reached them."

- In-game Description

History
The Romans adopted the Velites as their main light infantry skirmishers in the 3rd Century BC, replacing the earlier Leves, Rorarii and Accensi. They were equipped with light javelins, short swords and small shields and had the same combat role as the earlier Leves, being deployed ahead of the main battlelines to harass the enemy in irregular combat before retreating behind the Hastati as the latter closed in to engage the enemy in earnest.

Tactics
Velites have a good missile attack with a longer range but lower damage than the Hastati and Principes that they are meant to support, and are much better at ranged combat than the early-game Leves. Their melee stats are roughly equivalent to those of early-game melee brigades such as Spearmen, but enemy factions will likely be fielding heavier melee units by the time Velites are unlocked through the skill tree. As such, Velites are best relegated to a missile support role, but the player may also use them to charge enemy missile brigades or to outflank infantry that is already pinned down by heavier units, if such an opportunity arises.

Velites are exactly identical to Sabellic Javelineers, and comparable to Greek and Illyric Peltasts, though the Peltasts are available immediately at the beginning of the game when there are still more lightly armoured brigades around that they are more effective against. Velites also have larger brigade sizes than Peltasts while dealing less missile damage on a per-soldier basis.