Bow Cavalry (TWS2 Unit)

Bow Cavalry (TWS2 Unit)
Class	Bow Cavalry
Recruitment Cost	750
Upkeep Cost	200
Requires	Buildings: Warhorse Stables Archery Dojo Resources: Warhorses
Melee Attack	6
Charge Bonus	10
Bonus vs Cavalry	0
Range	150
Accuracy	30
Reloading Skill	15
Ammunition	20
Melee Defence	2
Armour	4
Morale	10
Speed	10

Description

Trained to aim and fire a bow while riding, these samurai make excellent skirmishers.

With both hands occupied by aiming and firing a bow, these men must use their knees to control and steer their mounts. Japan has a long tradition of mounted archery and these troops remain invaluable despite the introduction of gunpowder. Matchlocks may be powerful, but they are also unreliable and inaccurate, and the ashigaru who use them simply lack the skills and mobility of mounted samurai. These cavalry archers can quickly move to the flanks of an enemy, or harass the enemy at a distance. If caught in melee, they have enough training to defend themselves, but they should avoid fighting spearmen or heavy cavalry.

The introduction of arquebuses in the Sengoku Jidai threatened the Japan's ancient tradition of mounted archery. Guns meant that a daimyo could bolster his army with large numbers of arquebus-armed ashigaru rather than relying on the skilful, but less numerous, samurai.

Fortunately for the samurai, horse archery was too important a tradition to die out, and the art survived. For training, they would shoot at corralled dogs, or at wooden targets while speeding along a set course. The latter training method, called yabusame is still practiced today at special demonstrations for visiting dignitaries, and participation is considered a great honour.

Strengths & Weaknesses

• Can harass enemies and keep their distance but poor in melee.
• Able to fire then reposition, they are difficult to pin down. They should also avoid concentrations of enemy missile units.