| Unit Information | Game Strategies | History |
 In the Extended Edition, this unit/building is affected by a damage bug.
|
Tercios are the Spanish unique Heavy Infantry of the 
Gunpowder Age that replaces the standard Elite Pikemen.
Overview[]
Compared to Elite Pikemen, Tercios have -10 hit points, -1 attack strength, and an attack speed of 44 frames (compared to 32), though this is offset by having a bonus of +30% damage against all units and buildings. They additionally deal +80% damage against both Light and Heavy Cavalry, and +10% damage vs Ranged Cavalry.
Tercios also have the very special advantage of a ranged attack, with a range of up to 5 tiles. Being ranged has a small disadvantage, however; unlike Elite Pikemen, Tercios lack the +80% damage bonus against Supply Wagons that melee units have.
Being classified as Gun Heavy Infantry, Tercios further gain a number of different damage modifiers compared to Elite Pikemen, including bonus damage against Tanks, mechanized Ranged Cavalry, Gunpowder Infantry, Modern Infantry, Foot Archers, and Light Cavalry. Cementing their complete dominance against melee cavalry, the change also gives them a substantial damage boost against all Cavalry, though against Ranged Cavalry specifically this is offset with a negative damage modifier.
Owing to their hefty combination of damage bonuses Tercios can decimate enemy melee cavalry, dealing roughly double to triple DPS against these targets compared to the Elite Pikemen they replace -- even accounting for Tercios' lower attack speed. Because they're able to do so at range, they can be devastatingly effective and are an extremely powerful unique unit.
Trivia[]
- Tercio ("third") is an infantry organization used by Habsburg Spain which consists up to 3,000 soldiers made up of pikemen, swordsmen, arquebusiers and musketeers.
- Tercios, along with Arquebus Immortals and the New World campaign-only Bandeirantes, are the only
Gunpowder Age Heavy Infantry to have a ranged attack.
