Bow Warrior Monks (ROTS Unit)

Bow Warrior Monks (ROTS Unit)
Class	Bow Infantry
Recruitment Cost	650
Upkeep Cost	150
Requires	Buildings: Koryu Training Grounds Buddhist Sanctuary
Melee Attack	4
Charge Bonus	5
Bonus vs Cavalry	0
Range	150
Accuracy	40
Reloading Skill	45
Ammunition	25
Melee Defence	2
Armour	4
Morale	10
Speed	4

Description

These skilled warrior monks can fire arrows at distant enemies with every expectation of doing bloody work.

These warrior monks are armed with powerful bows and can attack enemies at a surprising range. They can also bombard foes with terrifying fire arrows. These are especially dangerous in a country such as Japan where wooden buildings are common. Bow warrior monks need careful handling in the presence of the enemy: they are not trained to fight in melee, and are likely to suffer if they are attacked by cavalry. In all probability the small unit size means that they will be quickly cut down in close combat, even with friendly support.

Bow warrior monks practiced archery with the same dedication they gave to their religious duties. Indeed, the skill and stillness required for archery was as much an act of meditation as any amount of monkish contemplation. Long years of practice, however, paid off in battle because their bow techniques were so ingrained as to be done without conscious thought or hesitation. Given reasonable weather, monks would, and did, kill everything and everyone foolish enough to stray within bowshot.

Strengths & Weaknesses

• Good accuracy and reload rate.
• Very good morale.
• Vulnerable to cavalry and archers.

Special Abilities

• Flaming Arrows - This unit can fire flaming arrows for a short period of time. Flaming arrows have a greater damage effect and can set fire to flammable objects. Flaming arrows don't function in wet weather.
• Increased Range - This temporarily increases a unit's firing range.

Other Information

It's hard to justify recruiting Bow Warrior Monks as they cost just as much as Foot Samurai in recruitment and upkeep but are only a step up from Bow Attendants in their stats. Their special ability, Increased Range, is what makes them so unique and valuable from the other Bow Infantry units: It temporarily increases their shooting range from 150 to 175 which allows them to safely fire off the first volley at the start of a battle and to pick off high-value targets from a distance that the enemy might consider to be too far for bow units. Definitely do not allow Bow Warrior Monks to fight against Foot Samurai in an archery duel as they will lose against them more often than not without support from other Bow Units. It is strongly recommended for Bow Warrior Monks to be recruited in a Province that has both a Master Bowmaker and a Hunting Lodge as the combination of Exceptional Accuracy and their Special Ability "Increased Range" will make them a dangerous unit for the enemy to deal with.