Tiong-Kek-P'openg
In game[edit | edit source]
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Basic light polearm infantry, slower and with less armour than normal swordsmen, but capable of dealing low splash damage, ideal against tight formations.
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| Prereq: | Build time | HP | LOS | Attack | Attack speed | Movement speed |
Upgrade of | Upgrades to |
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10s (150t) |
120 | 8 | 22 | 2.1s (32t) |
23 |
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| Cost | Created from | Armour | Weapon range | Specialty | ||||
| Base | Ramp | Pop | ||||||
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1 | 
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2 | 0-1 |
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Overall strategy[edit | edit source]
Unlike conventional Ji Infantry, the heavier version of these units do not merely lose their mobility and cost for greater durability, but they also carry a bigger punch, thanks to their elite status - only veteran units in Chinese armies are issued with armour.
As with the more servile Kek-P'openg, Tiong-Kek-P'openg are Chinese pike infantry with a powerful splash attack, making them highly dangerous especially in large blocks. With proper missile support, they will be able to take a couple of crossbow or horse archer shots, allowing your skirmishers and your crossbows to respond in kind. Almost nothing can withstand these men in melee, especially given their powerful melee attack, so if you are playing against the seven major Chinese factions capable of raising such men, bring your own horse archers to counter them, or bring more powerful elite units, such as Greek hoplites or war elephants to trample them down from close up.
History[edit | edit source]
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.
