These troops have the best hitpoint scores for many factions' other melee light infantry, despite being armed with only a helmet, a buckler and a battle-axe, yet their proficiency in defence is sorely bought: they will train more slowly at the barracks, but their cost means that they are nevertheless extremely affordable, if you are willing to wait on it. Enemy light cavalry will be extremely hard pressed to take them down, since they have added hitpoints, but a determined charge by lancers will definitely tear them apart.