Melee units are the lifeblood of many armies in Stronghold Definitive Edition, whether it’s for offensive or defensive purposes. Infantry is often used for both storming castles and defending them. As far as variety, the game offers a variety of them that each have their strengths and weaknesses.
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Among the available melee units, which one stands out more among the rest? From trusty spear-wielding soldiers and speedy ruffians who swing deadly maces, to honorable knights who go into the foray with their trusty sword and steed, these units are the best ones to prioritize during a match in Stronghold Definitive Edition.
5 Spearman
Dutiful Cannon Fodder
Cost
Spearmen are the first infantry unit players have access to in any game mode. They are usually good at early-game ransacking castles that do not have proper defenses yet. On the side of defense, Spearmen are effective at dealing with Laddermen and melee defense at the castle walls. In some maps, Spearmen are also essential for creating and dealing with moats.
That said, Spearmen are the weakest ground units as the game progresses. When players begin to amass a more formidable force like Macemen, Pikemen, and Swordsmen, Spearmen are often thrown as cannon fodder. They also get quickly mowed down by well-positioned Archers and Crossbowmen.
Their cheap cost in resources adds value to Spearmen: they can be called upon as the last line of defense when all else fails. They can be effective when they are in huge numbers, but once they encounter other ground infantry, they tend to fall onto the wayside.
4 Maceman
Dangerous Leather-clad Rabblerousers
Cost
- 20 Gold
- 1 Mace
- 1 Leather Armor
For players who enjoy blitzing enemy forces or destroying outlying structures, Macemen are the ideal infantry unit. These speedy morning star-wielding hooligans are exceptional at taking down light infantry such as Spearmen and Archers. This is due to their Leather Armor that grants them significant health which is troublesome to deal with during the early to mid-game.
Macemen are especially deadly when unleashed in groups: they can easily destroy wooden buildings and workers. They can cross moats, but since they are wearing armor, it is a risky endeavor because they could drown.
To balance Macemen, they cost a lot of early-game resources which include Leather Armor. To get Leather Armor, players need to have a Dairy Farm and a Tannery. Creating Leather Armor and Maces takes a bit longer than Maces and Bows, so Macemen is a huge investment. They also tend to struggle against Crossbowmen, since their bolts can easily pierce through Leather Armor.
3 Pikeman
Reliable Utility Melee Unit
Cost
- 20 Gold
- 1 Pike
- 1 Metal Armor
During the mid-game when players have amassed sizable resources for their armies, especially when they have access to Iron, they can start producing Metal Armor. With this, they gain access to Pikemen: an upgraded version of Spearmen.
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These units can tank more melee and ranged attacks due to their Metal Armor. For invaders, Pikemen are excellent meatshields for their other units, since they are effective at demolishing Towers and Walls. Defensively, Pikemen also excel at blockading key choke points and passageways on top of keeping Laddermen in check and holding off at a keep to protect the lord.
In terms of resources, Pikemen need Metal Armor, so an Iron Deposit and a Blacksmith are needed for their corresponding weapons and armor. Pikemen are also rather slow since they are armored units, but compared to Swordsmen, they are relatively faster and are usually paired with Crossbowmen to make a formidable squad.
2 Swordsman
Armored Powerhouse
Cost
- 40 Gold
- 1 Sword
- 1 Metal Armor
As far as late-game infantry is concerned, players have two options: the Knight or the Swordsman. The Swordsman is the sturdiest infantry unit available in Stronghold Definitive Edition. These melee units are highly effective at taking out swathes of lower-tier infantry like Pikemen, Macemen, Spearmen, and Archers, thanks to their Metal Armor and devastating Swords.
Most players would often relegate Swordsmen as bodyguards to their lord in the keep or in key choke points within the castle since they are extremely hard to take down without Crossbowmen. Offensively, they can tear through enemy ranks without a problem. However, while Swordsmen are essentially walking tanks, they are the slowest melee units in the game. Amassing Swordsmen can be difficult, and they will take ages to reach their enemy’s battlements.
If players are keen on taking out enemy castles swiftly, they will not be utilizing Swordsmen for that mission. They also require a hefty number of resources, particularly for their Swords and Metal Armor.
1 Knight
Horse-Mounted Cavalry
Cost
- 40 Gold
- 1 Sword
- 1 Metal Armor
- 1 Horse
Among all the melee units available, Knights trounce other infantry units by a mile. They possess the strengths of a Maceman in their mobility and the tankiness and power of Swordsmen. Knights are the fastest units in the game because they go to battle with their steeds: having a group of Knights can run circles around light infantry like Spearmen, Macemen, and Archers.
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If there are any downsides to Knights, one of them is that they cost a lot of resources. Apart from the Gold requirement, Knights need all the items Blacksmiths craft in their workshops in the form of Swords and Metal Armor. They also need a Stable with horses to get them going on the battlefield.
As devastating as they are when cutting through light infantry, Knights cannot dismount and can’t scale walls, nor use stairs and get atop the keep to take out the opposing lord. They also cannot dig up moats, but that’s not what Knights are for: they excel at charging towards enemies and wiping out light infantry with their heavy swords and lances.
Stronghold: Definitive Edition
- Released
- November 7, 2023
- Developer(s)
- Firefly Studios
- Genre(s)
- Simulation , Strategy
