Gastraphetes intended or not?

[Elrond007]

Because of the manpower addition a buddy of mine and me started a new Rome 2 campaign, I discovered the Ghastraphetes soon after the Polybian Reforms in Magna Graecia, they got incredible range and missile damage.Our question is now, since my friend ragequitted after I conquered Carthage without any major losses because I gunned pretty much everything down, are their stats intended or just broken?

[TFCAliarcy]

they are intended, tell your friend to bring some Balearics to keep them company as Balearics are cheaper, same range, have shields, and shoot faster.

[Garbad]

Gastraphaltes are best against enemy armor. They have great range and striking power but very slow ROF. Balearics eat them alive, or siege weapons specifically scorpions. Plus you can ONLY make them Syracuse with a tier 3 building, so you can do a navy driveby loot and raze every so often to halt his production.