Pool: The best "cheap infantrymen" for staple...

[Zim]

I like the archer spearmen (whatever their faction and flavor) as the best all around levies. As far as acting as the "anvil" I'd say the deutoroi or pantodopai phalangitai, though, and for all around melee I'd likely choose those celtic short swordsmen or Domatai...

[Conqueror]

The levy phalanx, especially the Pantodapoi Phalangitai. Will hold the line against frontal assaults by all except the elitiest of units; just have their flanks secured by other troops and they can keep on pinning forever. Not to mention a BIG area of recruitment. The local ( = Pantodapoi ) variety also has AP axes as their secondary weapon, so they deal surprisingly good damage vs heavily armoured foes if forced to fight out of formation. Their large head count per unit also makes them very effective garrison troops.

[Mikhail Mengsk]

I like the archer spearmen (whatever their faction and flavor) as the best all around levies. As far as acting as the "hammer" I'd say the deutoroi or pantodopai phalangitai, though, and for alla round melee I'd likely choose those celtic short swordsmen or Domatai...

Phalangites are anvils, not hammers

[Maion Maroneios]

Since when are javelineers or archers categorized as infantrymen?

As for the rest that actually fit to the title, I'd go for the Haploi. They are quite reliable in holding a line, even against superior forces and numbers. As long as provided with reasonable protection at the flanks and some decent Strategos to keep them motivated.

Maion

[A Very Super Market]

Heh, don't legionaires count?

[Brave Brave Sir Robin]

Voted for Archer Spearmen. Great all around unit for taking down HA's as well as melee cavalry. Two of these will take down the Pahlav or Saka early bodyguard if they charge.

I have not played yet as Getai though I'm sure Drapani are awesome.

Hoplitai Haploi are up there as well. Solid line unit, especially for their price. Save your behind early on as both Makedon and Koinon Hellenon.

Heres one no one has talked about though. Iberi Milites. Is it just me or do I find these guys to be among some of the best troops you can buy in the West? They have a strong javilin attack, great stamina, are very fast, and fight really well in melee. I think I'm just partial towards Iberian units.

[Rahwana]

Voted for skirmisher, their numbers alone can mob up your enemy and hold them in place for surprisingly long time...

[satalexton]

the peltastai or the plain ol' akonkistai?

[Prussian to the Iron]

archer-spearmen FTW!!!

basically, instead of sitting around when they're in your reserves or deserted flanks, they can provide real archer support, then charge in when needed. they should not be relied on to hold the line against phalanx or elite units, but they can usually hold their own versus most early game units.

[Hooahguy]

i voted for Drapanai. this unit is awesome for low price.
but even such, i didnt recruit them much when i played EB. id rather spend more on better units, since the drapanai rout easily under missile fire.

[Xurr]

i voted for Drapanai. this unit is awesome for low price.
but even such, i didnt recruit them much when i played EB. id rather spend more on better units, since the drapanai rout easily under missile fire.

Yeah, that's why I never use them as line troops. I use Getikoi Stratiotai or Komatai Thorakitai Stratiotai
or lately Boii Cingetos as line troops and Drapanai as cheap assault shock troops. I throw them at phalangitai and watch them rip the unit to pieces.

[Cute Wolf]

I wonder, why there wasn't any men mentioning pantodapoi? No one loves zergling in EB?

[Maion Maroneios]

Pantodapoi are crap Good just for suicidal missions or garrison units.

Maion

[Watchman]

Since when are javelineers or archers categorized as infantrymen?

Whenever they weren't sitting on a horse. Duh.

One relatively good one is the Caucasian levy spearmen - they're pretty much just Pantodapoi with different skin and better morale, but dirt cheap and early on in a Hayasdan campaign one is wont to learn how to use them effectively (in tandem with diverse missile troops and FamiCav) to maul those pike stacks the Seleukids keep sending through the passes. Not that I for one didn't replace them with the rather tougher Hai sparabara as soon as the budget allowed, mind you, but scavenger economy is scavenger economy and teaches you to get a good mileage out of the most meager resources.

One option the poll also needs is those el cheapo axemen found from Asia Minor to the Hindu Kush in various versions. Another cheap bunch that sees a lot of use shredding phalanxes.

[Cute Wolf]

Ironic, how ironic...

In EB, we are forced to use "quality over quantity".... so no one loves Zerglings....
If Hoplitai Haploi numbers are raised to 120, maybe the Zerg was KH!

[Phalanx300]

I've noticed that the Germanic levy are 240 units on huge as the Phalangites, perhaps they are the Zerg of the tales of old?

[Watchman]

I've noticed that the Germanic levy are 240 units on huge as the Phalangites, perhaps they are the Zerg of the tales of old?

Standard for barb levy spears - compare eg. Lugoae and the Thracian spear militia.

[DaciaJC]

In EB, we are forced to use "quality over quantity"....

Often enough, I find that quantity will beat quality, particularly in the case of cavalry.

[J.R.M]

So germans the ancient zergs, mmmmmm so... Who would be Kerrigan!?
Any Idea?

BTW. Hoplitai Haploi Just 4 more votes to be Number 1!!

[Zim]

Fixed.

Phalangites are anvils, not hammers

[godsakes]

Value wise, the casse shortswordsmen are tough to beat

Only cheapo slingers/archers seem to have a lower upkeep - they make cheap garrison troops and decent battle fodder which punch above their weight. Since they're so cheap and easy to replace/retrain you can spam them to overwhelm most of Europe

[A Terribly Harmful Name]

I should add, right now in my Sweboz campaign Jugundiz and Gaezosfulxom Fryod are the best fodder I could ever have.