Halberdier

Defensive Melee

A cheap, reliable defensive infantry for mid-game. Strong against close combat, weak against ranged units, and unusable for attack. As part of a balanced defense, it is worth it, but always complement it with a unit against ranged units; otherwise, the opponent will find a gap in it.

17Attack

135Melee defense

50Ranged defense

19Speed

3Food upkeep

The halberdier is your classic defensive infantry for mid-game play. You produce it in barracks at level 4, and the numbers speak for themselves: a close combat defense of 135 is excellent for a cost of 95, while an attack of 17 is purely a defensive value, making it unusable for offense. The typical difference between close combat defense (135) and ranged defense (50) makes it a specialized unit against swords and axes, not a universal wall. An experienced player will recognize this pattern at first glance and deploy the halberdier accordingly.

How to use it

In practice, you place it in the castle defense as a cheap and effective shield against close combat attacks. A cost of 95 and a food consumption of 3 mean you can afford it in large numbers, and its strength lies in volume. It is useful when you know the enemy is sending primarily swords and axes against you. Against ranged units, it has only 50 defense, so it cannot hold off an attack from archers by itself. The speed of 19 is especially appreciated when moving troops between castles or when sending defense to an ally; in static defense of your own castle, it is secondary.

What to combine it with

Do not deploy it alone. A classic solution is to mix halberdiers with a unit strong against ranged attacks to cover both types of attack, sword and bow, so the enemy cannot find a gap in the defense. It works great in combination with defensive tools on walls and gates, which further enhance its effectiveness. Experienced players see it as a cheap backbone of the defensive garrison and complement it with a smaller number of more expensive specialized units that compensate for the weaker defense against ranged units.

Weaknesses and what to avoid

Do not use it for attack; with an attack of 17, you will only send units to defeat. In the late game, do not build it as the core of the defense; it is usually replaced by stronger defensive units from higher levels, and the halberdier serves more as a cheap filler. And do not bet everything on one card: a purely halberdier garrison may look solid on paper, but it is a fortress only from one side.

Related units

Veteran spearmanVeteran halberdierSentinel of the KingsguardShapeshifter legionnaireDragon clawsFlame bearer

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