Royal Marines (FOTS Unit)

Royal Marines (FOTS Unit)
File:Royal Marines FOTS.png
Class	Elite Infantry
Recruitment Cost	1370
Upkeep Cost	180
Requires	Buildings: British Trading District
Melee Attack	12
Charge Bonus	20
Bonus vs Cavalry	7
Range	125
Accuracy	70
Reloading Skill	65
Ammunition	15
Melee Defence	7
Armour	2
Morale	12
Speed	4

Description

Manning guns aboard ship or carrying a rifle ashore, Royal Marines always rise to a challenge.

These are well-trained and disciplined infantrymen carrying the latest breech-loading rifles available. They are capable of delivering accurate, withering and rapid fire on enemy units and, when they close, can give a very good account of themselves in melee. Given the traditions of the Royal Marines and the Royal Navy they also have excellent morale, making them superior quality line infantry.

Royal Marines were the British Admiralty's private land-going army. Although they might look like soldiers and fight like soldiers, they were not part of the British Army. They traced their origins back to 1664, but they formally became marines in 1755. This gave them a long tradition of sea-service and, given the controlled aggression of the Royal Navy over the centuries, plenty of practice in fighting. The example of Admiral Byng's execution for not attacking the enemy made sure that Royal Navy ships would almost always attack, and that no officer would pass up an opportunity to harm an enemy.

Marines were usually distributed across the whole fleet, and operated guns in sea battles, often with great skill and bravery. Ashore, they were the backbone of most expeditionary forces, and were expected to give a good account of themselves in any situation from a set-piece battle to a cutting-out raid. One peculiar quirk of the Royal Marines (and this in a navy which specialises in quirky behaviour) was the rank of Colonel of Marines. Despite the name, this was given to RN captains who did distinguished service: a nice way of boosting their pay and honouring them.

Strengths & Weaknesses

• Very good accuracy and reload rate.
• Good in melee.
• Very good morale.
• Maximum Limit: 3 Units per Clan in Campaign.

Special Abilities

• Kneel Fire
• Suppression Fire

United States Marines VS Royal Marines VS Infanterie de Marine

	United States Marines	Royal Marines	Infanterie de Marine
Recruitment Cost	1340	1370	1430
Upkeep Cost	170	180	180
Melee Attack	13	12	11
Charge Bonus	20	20	20
Bonus vs Cavalry	7	7	7
Range	125	125	125
Accuracy	65	70	75
Reloading Skill	60	65	70
Ammunition	15	15	15
Melee Defence	8	7	6
Armour	2	2	2
Morale	12	12	12

Pros & Cons

• The United States Marines are the cheapest in recruitment and upkeep costs and can hold their own against charging infantry and cavalry units. On the other hand, their lesser skill with the rifle means that they tend to cause less damage than expected.
• The Infanterie de Marine can deliver several crippling volleys with their superb accuracy and reloading skills which is very helpful in preventing enemy cavalry from reaching your lines and becoming a serious threat. Unfortunately, they're very expensive and won't last long against dedicated melee units.

Summary

• Players who are concerned with the threat of being tied up in melee should go with recruiting United States Marines.
• Players that aren't concerned about melee and want to make every shot count should invest in Infanterie de Marine.
• The Royal Marines offer a balanced compromise between cost, melee, and shooting.

Second Opinion

• Rifle units are purely meant for shooting, not engaging in melee. Therefore, the Infanterie de Marine are the best unit to have.
• If the United States Marines are recruited in a Province that has both a Firing Range and a Gunsmith, the Exceptional Accuracy Bonus will make them the best Elite Infantry unit overall in terms of shooting and melee.