"Discipline and drill. If you keep your wits about you and the enemy in front, no force on a battlefield, not even the heaviest Imperial knights, can stop a phalanx of Pikemen."
"From a hilltop surrounded by his Household Guard, Grand Count Maximilian III von Hochkirsche, Elector of Nuln, watched in grim silence as mercenaries hired by Miragliano routed his army. Wave after wave of his finest knights charged their phalanxes to no avail, dying by the score on the points of their pikes -- his hopes of becoming Prince of Miragliano dying with them. Now his army was breaking, pursued by the advancing pikemen and harried by their cavalry. Sighing, he took quill and paper and began writing a note. Folding and sealing it, he handed it to a confused aide. "Here, take this to their Captain. It is the only thing left to do." -- "Sir? We're surrendering," asked the confused man. -- "No, you dolt," the count shouted. "It's a job offer! If you can't beat them, buy them!""
Alcatani pikeman armed with a Tilean Pike[1a]
A pikeman, or spearman, is a soldier who specialises in the use of the pike, a long-shafted spear particularly effective at repelling cavalry, though pikemen can also be effective in an anti-infantry role when used properly by a skilled tactician. Pikemen are commonly used in the armies of the Old World.[1a]
All towns and villages in the Old World have their militias, masses of armed residents who can be turned out on short notice to defend homes and fields or fight for a few weeks in their lord's service. Their lack of discipline and desire to return home to families and trades, however, makes them of limited use on long campaigns or when facing heavily armed and armoured horsemen.[1a]
The pikeman developed from Tilean militias when a need arose for infantry in long-term service who could stand up to armoured cavalry -- or wolf-riding Goblins. Formed in large squares with the first three ranks of pikes pointed forward and the rest held high to guard against arrows, the pike phalanx presents a formidable sight. Few animals willingly charge a forest of spear points pointed at them, and infantry must dodge multiple attackers before even closing with a pikeman.[1a]
But the phalanx has weaknesses. Not very manoeuvrable, it cannot execute swift turns or changes of face. Taken in the flanks -- or worse, from behind -- pikemen are at risk of panic and a loss of discipline that can easily turn fatal. And so they are most commonly the core of a mercenary army, their vulnerable sides covered by cavalry and crossbowmen.[1a]
In the Empire, pike formations are less commonly employed, but can be found in the service of the state armies of Reikland and the city-state of Nuln. In peacetime, these troops also serve to restore order, the points of their pikes wellsuited to clearing rioters from the streets.[1a]
Notable Pikemen Units[]
"No, they didn't look dangerous, more like a bunch of rich kids out to show off in their new armour. Very flashy they were, all gems and silk. We'll have a bit of fun, we thought. Easy pickings, we thought. Well, anyone can make a mistake. Poor captain Malvino, last mistake he ever made."
- —Overheard in the Old Pig and Whistle, Marienburg about the Ricco's Republican Guard[1a]
- Alcatani Fellowship - The life of a farmer is never an easy one in the war torn land of Tilea. Even wealthy landowners suffer. When Rodrigo Delmonte found his crops ruined by a rampaging army he embarked on the only course of action that remained to him, he became a soldier and led his workforce to Remas where he bought some shoddy suits of armour, a few second-hand helmets, and some slightly bent pikes. Despite their modest origins, the Alcatani Fellowship has proven itself against Orc raiders in the wilds near Buccolia, and have long earned a reputation for their effective and affordable phalanxes of pikemen.[1a]
- Ricco's Republican Guard - The Republican Guard were raised in Remas by merchants during the revolt that preceded the birth of the Reman Republic. The regiment played a leading part in overthrowing the tyrannical Prince Mondo, parading his head around the city to the applause of the mob. Desperate to bring in funds Captain Ricco led the Guard in search of employment in other Tilean cities. The Republican Guard fought well, earning a reputation as an elite phalanx that survives to the present day.[1a]
- Leopard Company - The mercenaries of the Leopard Company fight hard to recover their lost honour. Their mercenary captain, Leopold di Lucci, once contended with Lorenzo Lupo to be prince of Luccini. Leopold's warriors were losing ground, and blame fell on the priests at Luccini's Temple of the Leopard, who switched sides during the fighting. Leopold's troops threw the inconstant priests into the Tilean Sea. Lorenzo prevailed and was hailed as the new prince of Luccini. Leopold and his unit were exiled, and since then bad luck has dogged the company. Recently Leopold has arranged for a portion of the loot made by his troops to be returned to the Temple of the Leopard, and the fortunes of the Leopard Company are improving.[1a]
Canon Conflict[]
In Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 4th Edition: Up in Arms, the rise to power of the Alcatani company is treated as a recent event. Yet Roderigo had a quarrel with El Cadavo in the 20th century IC, so the mercenary band would have more than 500 years of service by the early 26th century IC if the company was only recently raised.[1a]
Sources[]
- 1: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 4th Edition: Up in Arms (RPG)
- 1a: pp. 48-49