Roman Legionary I

The Roman Legionary I is the entry-level professional infantryman of the Roman special unit line — already a generation ahead of most Bronze Age or Antiquity contemporaries in terms of training, equipment, and tactical doctrine. Armed with the pilum (a heavy javelin designed to bend on impact and render an enemy shield useless), the gladius short sword, and the curved rectangular scutum, he fights as part of the manipular formation: small, flexible sub-units that can adapt to terrain where rigid phalanx formations would break apart. He is disciplined, cost-effective, and reliable against most infantry of his era. His weakness is extended range combat and heavy cavalry — the Roman answer to both required additional unit types. This first tier establishes the foundation on which the superior legionary variants are built.