- For the Polish unit of the same name, see Polish Pikeman.
Pikemen are the pike infantry of the Kingdom of Sweden in With Fire & Sword. In Captain modes in multiplayer, there is a second version of Swedish Pikeman, with worse armor, and a Sword instead of Pike.
Hence their name, these infantrymen carry pikes, a long polearm which they use with two hands and are especially deadly against cavalry, but they are vulnerable to musket fire.
The Swedish Pikeman, the German Pikeman, and German Infantry Pikeman are the most reliable as heavy pikemen units, while the New Order Spearman, Marksman Spearman, and Polish Pikeman tend to be more fragile as light pikemen units. Militia Pikeman units armed with shorter Simple Pikes tend to be less useful.
Tactics[]
Pikemen are likely one of the most important units in the game. They wield pikes, the longest melee weapon available, and it is specifically developed to stop the enemy shock Cavalry. Awlpikes existed in Warband, but especially in With Fire & Sword, horses will immediately stop with a slightest poke from a Pike.
Pikemen's main job is to protect vulnerable Musketeers from enemy cavalry, so they are best utilized in a line formation, either behind the Musketeers (or any ranged units) or in front of them if the terrain is adequate. When ordered to hold a position, some Pikemen will automatically crouch, and so they form a Hedgehog like formation. If invested in large numbers, it is almost impossible for the enemy AI cavalry to "slip through" the line, and similarly, it is not advised for the mounted player to even attempt going through the enemy Pikemen.
In sieges, Pikemen units switch their pikes with swords, with Western heavy pikemen using broadswords, Eastern light pikemen to sabers, and Militia Pikemen switching to thrusting swords. With more protection, Western heavy pikemen are more reliable at defending and besieging fortifications, and the Militia Pikemen are the least reliable at defending and besieging fortifications.
Stats and equipment[]
Pikeman - Default Stats and Equipment | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Kingdom of Sweden Troops |
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Town Militiaman • Militia Pikeman (v) • Militia Musketeer (v) |
Finnish Harquebusier (v) • German Pikeman (v) • Black Reiter (v) |
Musketeer (v) • Pikeman (v) • Dragoon (v) |
Swordsman (v) • Lifeguard (v) • Scottish Musketeer (v) • Scottish Pikeman (v) • Scottish Swordsman (v) |
Cuirassier (v) • Cuirassier Spearman (v) • Swedish Reiter (v) |