Bang for the Buck

[Morte66]

The "levy" class phalangites of the successor states are very cost-effective for what they're supposed to do: hold the line.

Agreed. They'll do the pin if you get something (melee infantry, cavalry, missiles, anything) to do the flank. And they're cheap, and they usually have wide recruitment zones from lower-end MICs. High lethality and attack/defense ratings win one-on-one pissing contests. Levy phalanxes in well-rounded armies win great big wars.

[Horst Nordfink]

My vote goes to Persian Archer-Spearmen.

[Malik of Sindh]

My vote goes to Persian Archer-Spearmen.

Seconded.