Are pikemen good against cavalry?

The Pikeman performs outstandingly against cavalry, doing 26 base damage to Knights and 51 to War Elephants. They make an excellent complement for siege weapons, as they can protect them against enemy melee cavalry.

What were pikemen used for?

Pikemen were used to defend musketeers against the cavalry. They were also useful to push against the enemy when victory was in sight. They were often placed in the middle of the infantry, with musketeers on either side of them.

When did pikemen stop being used?

A common end date for the use of the pike in infantry formations is 1700, although some armies such as the Prussians had already abandoned the pike decades prior, whereas others such as the Swedish and Russians continued to use it for several decades afterward—the Swedes of King Charles XII in particular were using it …

How did pikemen fight?

At ‘point’ is traditionally how pikemen fought each other. Big blocks of pikeman would level their pikes (see right) and advance towards each other into a crush called ‘push of pike’, when the front ranks would draw swords and engage in deadly hand-to-hand fighting.

How did pikemen defend against Archers?

They were protected by the mass of pikes above their heads. Ancient pikemen has shields too and of course, armour. At close range the front ranks of the archers can shoot at a flat trajectory, but by then the pike are advancing rapidly towards them.

What were pikemen vulnerable to?

A pikeman is a better-trained and armored spearman armed with a longer, sharper weapon. Historically pikemen were most effective against other infantry and cavalry, but as they lacked shields, they were quite vulnerable to archers.

What is the Spontoon used for?

A spontoon was of use when infantry had to repel cavalry, an advantage given by the long reach. As muskets replaced pikes, the latter became more a symbol of authority and discipline. Common soldiers stopped carrying pikes, which were used solely by sergeants.

What do Bowmen do?

Archery is the sport, practice, or skill of using a bow to shoot arrows. The word comes from the Latin arcus, meaning bow. A person who practices archery is typically called an archer or a bowman, and a person who is fond of or an expert at archery is sometimes called a toxophilite or a marksman.