"Those who master the crossbow are the engineers of battlefield death."
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[]
Good Range
Poor Rate of Fire
Base Stats[]
Elite Ballistarii
Unit
Number of Men:
160
Morale:
51
Bonus HP:
9
Melee Attack:
11
Melee Defense:
7
Charge Bonus:
7
Reload:
50
Ammunition:
17
Medium Infantry
Human
Hit Points:
90
Mass:
100
Walk Speed:
14
Run Speed:
33
Charge Speed:
45
Charge Distance:
35
Weapons and Gear[]
Sword
Melee Weapon
Damage:
36
Armour Penetration Damage:
4
Bonus vs Infantry:
0
Bonus vs Cavalry:
0
Bonus vs Elephants:
0
Building damage:
0.066
Elite Crossbow
Missile Weapon
Normal Shot
Flaming Shot
Heavy Shot
Whistling Shot
Damage:
20
75
10
20
Armour Penetration Damage:
55
25
80
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:
Very Heavy Leather Armour
Armour
Armour:
25
Abilities[]
Precision Shot
Target:
Self
Initial Recharge:
0
Active Time:
30
Recharge Time:
210
Improved missile weapon damage for an extended period. These values are further modified by the unit itself.
Precision Shot (30s):
+50% Missile Damage
Fatigue (1s):
+100% Fatigue
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[]
Disciplined
This unit does not suffer a morale penalty when the general dies. It can also rally after routing more often.
Hide (forest)
This unit can hide in forests until enemy units get too close.
Precision Shot
Barrage
Disciplined
Hide (forest)