Footman (Warcraft III)

The vast ranks of the Alliance armies have diminished over the years due to the incessant infighting amongst the former Alliance nations. However, many of the strong-hearted citizens of Azeroth have volunteered to defend their lands as Footmen. Though these fierce warriors lack the shining plate mail and specialized training of their noble predecessors, they still fight with bravery and honor on the field of battle.

Information
Footmen are the basic melee units of human players. Generally, a player should train at least 3 or 4 footmen to help out a Paladin, Archmage or Blood Mage in creeping. Mountain Kings can also appreciate the assistance but will generally work better with Riflemen due to their skillset.

They aren't as powerful as Grunts, but make up for it with a cheaper cost. Don't continue to train Footmen when they are facing them or Huntresses, who can easily overwhelm them.

Footmen may learn Defend. This protects them from Riflemen, Archers, Crypt Fiends, Troll Headhunters and creeps that use piercing attacks when it has been researched, who generally kill Footmen with ease if they aren't in defensive stance. Though it doesn't reflect damage inflicted by towers, it allows them to tank them better, although most players are unlikely to play defensively at the start of a match.

Footmen should be replaced with Knights as soon as they are accessible. In team matches most players will generally go for Gryphon and/or Dragonhawk Riders once available.

efend

 * Activate to take 50% less damage from Piercing attacks, but have reduced movement speed.
 * Defend does not reflect attacks to buildings, and its chance of reflection against units is 30%.

Defend reduces 50% of all piercing damage. Defend only reduces Pierce damage, and thus it won't have any effect against any other style of attack. Shields can be raised and lowered as desired by the player.

Many players tend to use ranged units early game, which deal piercing damage. Defend can teach them a lesson by allowing a Footman to tank more damage than they normally would.

Never walk around the map with their shields raised, as it'll make them exceptionally slow and sitting ducks for other units. Only use Defend when facing piercing damage and a battle is about to start when the enemy has such damage.

Manual description
The vast ranks of the Alliance armies have been replenished since the devastating battles of the Second war. Trained in the arts of swordsmanship, the stoic Footmen of the Alliance serve as Lordaeron's first line of defense. Armed with broadswords and heavy kite shields, footmen are capable of breaking any enemy charge.

World Editor description

 * Versatile foot soldier. Can learn the Defend ability.

Quotes

 * See Warcraft III Footman quotes

Trivia

 * He's voiced by Bill Roper.