Pikeman/Stronghold Crusader 2

Pikeman
General Information
Available in	Stronghold 3 & Stronghold Crusader 2
Type	Defensive melee unit
Cost	10 Gold 1 Pike 1 Metal Armor
Unit Statistics
Health	Extremely High
Damage	Low
Speed	Low
Special ability	Hold Ground: defensive stance that deals high damage to cavalry, at the cost of movement

Pikemen are heavily armored units with high health. They are among the most durable unit in the game, being able to withstand considerable punishment in close combat and from ranged attacks alike.

Pikemen are the best defensive units in the game - they have the highest durability from all the units. The only units that can deal with them are Templar Knights and Sergeant at Arms (because they have several times higher damage, while still being less durable), but they are several times more expensive. Pikemen, with their Set Spikes ability are extremely effective against mounted units, as well as against units with the Sprint Attack (Macemen, Sassanid Knight, Whirling Dervishes). After selecting "Hold position", Pikemen will dig their pikes into the ground and stay still, awaiting the arrival of enemy. Every enemy charging at them will be dealt huge damage.

Unfortunately, Pikemen are extremely slow, making them effective only in defense. Despite their huge durability, they deal moderate damage, so they should be used to defend the castle, by blocking key positions (like a narrow passage, or entry to your Lord).

Set spikes ability is extremely effective against mounted units, as well as those with the Sprint Attack ability.

Unfortunately, Pikemen are extremely slow, making them effective only in defense. Despite their huge durability, they deal moderate damage, so they should be used to defend the castle, by blocking key positions (like a narrow passage, or entry to your Lord).

In Stronghold Crusader 2 pikemen gain an ability called Hold Ground. When used, the soldier switches into an immobile defensive posture and gradually extends the pike forward. Any cavalry coming in contact with the tip of the pike receives huge damage.

A pikeman requires a free peasant from the campfire, 1 pike and 1 piece of metal armor stored in the armory with a sum of 10 gold to recruit.

Tactics

Pikemen perform superb in tying up units at narrow chokes and inside buildings. They can block off a point when using their defensive stance and they can effectively stop the rare cavalry rush into the center of the army.

Pikemen can also be effective at surviving traps, such as pitch ditches and killing pits, and therefore it is useful to send them in the frontlines during a siege. Due to his abysmal speed however, he takes considerable time to form up.

Weaknesses

Due to his heavy armour, the pikeman is one of the slowest units in the game, which severely limits his impact in direct combat. He is also unable to kill other units with the same effectiveness as most other melee units.

Pikemen also take a lot of time to get to another point of the map, as well as other ranged units can easily run away from them and fire at will. Crossbowmen groups can also finish off pikemen before they could reach them.

Gallery

Pikemen guarding the Lord.