Takabara

He also took care that the barbarians of his own province should be capable soldiers and should feel kindly toward him.
— Xenophon, Anabasis (Bk I)
==In game==
Takabara — Vital statistics	Takabara — Vital statistics	Takabara — Vital statistics	Takabara — Vital statistics	Takabara — Vital statistics	Takabara — Vital statistics	Takabara — Vital statistics	Takabara — Vital statistics	Takabara — Vital statistics
 	
Persian unique light infantry unit. Slower than conventional Javelineers, but cheaper to produce.
*Strong versus light infantry.
*Weak versus heavy cavalry, buildings.	
Persian unique light infantry unit. Slower than conventional Javelineers, but cheaper to produce.
*Strong versus light infantry.
*Weak versus heavy cavalry, buildings.	
Persian unique light infantry unit. Slower than conventional Javelineers, but cheaper to produce.
*Strong versus light infantry.
*Weak versus heavy cavalry, buildings.	
Persian unique light infantry unit. Slower than conventional Javelineers, but cheaper to produce.
*Strong versus light infantry.
*Weak versus heavy cavalry, buildings.	
Persian unique light infantry unit. Slower than conventional Javelineers, but cheaper to produce.
*Strong versus light infantry.
*Weak versus heavy cavalry, buildings.	
Persian unique light infantry unit. Slower than conventional Javelineers, but cheaper to produce.
*Strong versus light infantry.
*Weak versus heavy cavalry, buildings.	
Persian unique light infantry unit. Slower than conventional Javelineers, but cheaper to produce.
*Strong versus light infantry.
*Weak versus heavy cavalry, buildings.	
Persian unique light infantry unit. Slower than conventional Javelineers, but cheaper to produce.
*Strong versus light infantry.
*Weak versus heavy cavalry, buildings.
Prereq: 	Build time 	HP 	LOS 	Attack 	Attack speed 	Movementspeed 	Upgrades to 	
:  	10s(150t) 	170 	8 	13 	2.1s(32t) 	32 	 	
Cost 	Cost 	Cost 	Created from 	Armour 	Weapon range 	Specialty 	Specialty 	Specialty
Base 	Ramp 	Pop 	Created from 	Armour 	Weapon range 	Specialty 	Specialty 	Specialty
:: 60; 
:: 60 	
:: 2; 
:: 2 	1 	 	2 	0–6 	
*Small defensive bonus versus missile infantry.
* Bonus damage versus buildings, siege weapons.	
*Small defensive bonus versus missile infantry.
* Bonus damage versus buildings, siege weapons.	
*Small defensive bonus versus missile infantry.
* Bonus damage versus buildings, siege weapons.
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
=== Overall strategy===
Takabara are Persian javelin throwers, distinguishing themselves from other javelin units (such as Greek akontistai) by their rate of fire, lower LOS and their lower run speed. In vast numbers, they can blot out the sun; otherwise they are easy prey if attacked at close range.
===Unit summary===
*Sitting Ducks — Although halberdiers have a ferocious attack that makes them dangerous infantry counters, their weak armour and slower walking speed make them fair game for better-equipped cavalry archers and Knights.
*De-Centralisation — Halberdiers do not require Centralisation to be created, and thus can be relied upon by Serbia, which lacks Chivalric Order Knights and Pikemen alike.
==History==
Pre-20th century Chinese armies predominantly used four classes of melee weapons, which were the Dao (sabre), Qiang (spear), Jian (sword) and Ji.
Of these, the Ji was a weapon unique to China, being a polearm with a steel or bronze tip mounted on the end of a long shaft, next to which is attached a curved blade. Because of the attachment of the curved blade, the weapon can be used to both stab and slash.
The Ji was first used during the Shang Dynasty (17th-11th centuries BCE), when it was made of bronze. It was popularized during the Eastern Zhou Dynasty (770-256BCE), when it was made of steel instead. Conflict with the nomadic tribes of Mongolia and Siberia soon resulted in the Ji being replaced by Qiang-type spears as well as other polearms.__NOTOC__
===References===
*Touch of Asian Style, "Ancient Chinese Weapons"