This patch slightly adjusts the attack ranges of melee infantry:
- axemen, macemen, swordsmen: 3.5 → 3
- spearmen: 4.5 → 4
- pikemen: 7 → 8
For comparison:
- infantry footprint radius: 1.5
- infantry slaughter attack: 2
- infantry capture attack: 4
In single combat or small numbers the effect of this patch is probably negligible; however, in large groups more pikemen could hit a single target. Given that pikemen have by far the lowest damage per second (2, vs 7.3 of swordsmen), increasing the range differences won't hurt.
In reality pikes were two to three times as long as spears, and up to six pikes extended in front before an opponent could touch the first pikemen, so this patch improves historical realism too.
See also D2972.