Ballistarii (Total War: Attila)

Ballistarii
Class	Very Light Crossbow Infantry
Recruitment cost	325
Upkeep cost	165
Turns	1
Multiplayer cost	325
Factions	Eastern Roman Empire Western Roman Empire Ostrogoths
Health	82
Size	160
Armour	3
Missile block chance	0
Morale	34
Melee attack	10
Melee damage	6
Charge bonus	5
Melee defence	5
Ranged damage	65
Rate of fire	25
Range	125
Ammunition	15
Movement speed	40
Capture power	10
Spotting	500.0
Hiding	1.0

Ballistarii are a type of missile infantry in Total War: Attila.

Description

"Although slower than a bow, a crossbow bolt can fell most living things."

The Notitia Dignitatum lists many Legions under the title of 'ballistarii'. Whilst this translates simply as 'artillery', the existence of crossbow (then known as manuballistae) units in such large numbers, as recorded in the Notitia, indicates that balistarii referred to crossbow-armed foot soldiers, rather than full-size ballistae and their crews. Whilst many types were developed in ancient times, Roman crossbows bore similarities to later Medieval weapons, rather than being modelled on the Greek gastraphete. Operated by inserting the bolt and pulling it into place using a lever or crank, more torsion was created than a human could achieve without aid. The bolt, when released, fired with much more power than an arrow, and was therefore able to penetrate much thicker armour.

Strength and Weaknesses

• Very Poor Armour
• Poor Rate of Fire
• Low Health

Base Stats

Ballistarii
Unit
Number of Men:	160
Morale:	34
Bonus HP:	7
Melee Attack:	10
Melee Defense:	5
Charge Bonus:	5
Reload:	45
Ammunition:	15
Very Light Infantry
Human
Hit Points:	75
Mass:	70
Walk Speed:	16
Run Speed:	40
Charge Speed:	55
Charge Distance:	35

Weapons and Gear

Dagger
Melee Weapon
Damage:	5
Armour Penetration Damage:	1
Bonus vs Infantry:	0
Bonus vs Cavalry:	0
Bonus vs Elephants:	0
Building damage:	0.033

Crossbow
Missile Weapon
	Normal Shot	Flaming Shot	Heavy Shot	Whistling Shot
Damage:	15	75	5	15
Armour Penetration Damage:	50	25	75	5
Base Reload Time:	43	60	60	60
Range:	125	125	125	125
Bonus vs Infantry:	0	0	10	0
Bonus vs Cavalry:	0	0	0	0
Bonus vs Elephants:	0	0	0	0
Special Effects:

Cloth
Armour
Armour:	3

Abilities

Barrage
Target:	Self	Initial Recharge:	0
Active Time:	30	Recharge Time:	210
Loose projectiles more frequently for an extended period of time.
Quick Reload (30s): +50% Rate of Fire Freeze Fatigue Fatigue (1s): +100% Fatigue

Attributes

Resistant to Fatigue
Fatigue has less of an effect on this unit.

Hide (forest)
This unit can hide in forests until enemy units get too close.