Latin Hastati

Summary
Hastati are flexible swordsmen available to the Latin faction group in the mid-late game, capable of melee combat as well as hard-hitting short range missile attacks and easy to recruit en-masse once the prerequisite skill is acquired.

"Representing the younger and poorer soldiers of the Roman legion, the Hastati fought in the front lines using a short swords and large shield."

- In-game Description

History
The Hastati formed the first Roman battleline after their military reforms of the 4th Century BC, being deployed ahead of the Principes and Triarii. In standard Roman battle tactics, they were the first to engage the enemy in melee, and would be relieved by the Principes if unable to break the enemy.

The Hastati were originally equipped as lightly armoured spearmen with large scutum shields, but transitioned to a more flexible combination of short swords and javelins (as how they are depicted in-game), possibly inspired by the style of warfare used by the Samnites which Rome warred against in the later 4th Century BC. They also became increasingly better armoured as Rome's economic power increased.

Tactics
Hastati have a strong missile attack, but with a very short range, in addition to decent stats for melee combat.

Though capable of both melee and missile combat, they are not superior in either role. Archers still deal greater missile damage, and every missile-oriented unit is capable of outranging them. Hastati only have a clear advantage over regular Hoplites in melee when the latter's phalanx formation and corresponding defensive buff is broken, and are inferior to Heavy Hoplites in every melee situation.

Instead, the Hastati shine because of their flexibility and great accessibility, since they can be recruited in any native Latin city without the need for a barracks upgrade, making it easy for factions to mass recruit them even in cities that aren't set-up to be infantry recruitment centers. They are also notable for being available earlier on than the comparable but stronger Principes, and may eventually be replaced by them in the player's army composition.

Hastati are slightly worse than the otherwise identical Sabellic Light Pilum Swordsmen, having lower charge strength and charge block stats. The equivalent swordsmen brigades of other faction groups are cheaper and superior in melee combat, but lack a ranged attack and do require a barracks to be constructed in their home city, making them slightly harder to mass.