Polish Pikeman, 17th century

Polish Pikeman, 17th century is a melee infantry unit in Cossacks 3.

Background
Firing fuse muskets was a very slow process, while the fire was far from being accurate or effective. Therefore pikemen squads were added to musketeer detachments in order to defend them from cavalry charges in open space. On average, pikemen constituted about 30% of the infantry during the Thirty Years War. Pikemen were virtually the last infantry force of European regular armies which was equipped with cuirasses. A pikeman's armour comprised an iron helm, a cuirass with knee-long leg-guards, narrow elbow-long shoulder-guards, and gauntlets with large cuffs. The total armour weight was about 20 kg (45 lb). It could protect from arrows, pistol bullets fired from more than 3-4 m (10-14 ft), and even musket bullets fired from large distances. Pikemen were armed with pikes with a wooden shaft of 5.2-5.8 m (17-19 ft) and swords. Pikemen were very effective in close fight; early in the 17th century, they were used both in attacks and for defence purposes.

In 1674, pikes played a significant role in the battle of Enzheim, when German cavalry did not dare to assault Turenne's pikemen square. However, as firearms were developed, the role of pikemen became less significant. Body armour was abolished here and there. Soldiers became more mobile and less expensive. By the end of the 17th century, pikemen were mainly used as defensive units. All European armies gradually refused pikemen, and their number fell considerably. Pikemen became armed with pistols and sometimes muskets.

In the 18th century, they use no armour and wear a customary uniform - a broadcloth caftan, a camisole (sometimes of elk or goat leather), trousers, and stockings. When it was cold, they also wore a cloak. Pikemen fought in tight arrays of six files each. Usually they were marshalled in a manner allowing musketeers to retreat behind them, while pikemen could easily form a square formation to protect musketeers from cavalry charges. Later, pikes gave place to bayonets in close fight. Bayonets were surely important in hand-to-hand fight, but by far not as good as pikes. Pikemen were the most battle-worthy infantry for close fighting.