United States Marines (FOTS Unit)

United States Marines (FOTS Unit)
File:United States Marines FOTS.png
Class	Elite Infantry
Recruitment Cost	1340
Upkeep Cost	170
Requires	Buildings: American Trading District
Melee Attack	13
Charge Bonus	20
Bonus vs Cavalry	7
Range	125
Accuracy	65
Reloading Skill	60
Ammunition	15
Melee Defence	8
Armour	2
Morale	12
Speed	4

Description

The US Marines reputation as tough men is well deserved.

The US Marine Corps are excellent soldiers, and pride themselves on being infantrymen first and foremost. Ashore, they fight as line infantry, using disciplined and effective fire to inflict casualties on the enemy. They carry breech-loading rifles, and these allow them to reload quickly; they are nearly all good shots. They are also perfectly capable of closing with an enemy and giving a good account of themselves in a melee. They have an excellent martial spirit, and are unlikely to break and run.

The US Marine Corps can claim to be older than the United States, as the Continental Marines, formed in 1775, predate the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Inconveniently, Congress did disband the Marines before re-establishing them as the US Marine Corps in 1798. The Marines ignore such minor matters. By the late 19th Century USMC "leathernecks" (the nickname came from the leather stocks worn to give a military bearing) had seen more action than any US Army troops, and had taken part in expeditions across the world. Their most famous action by this time was probably against the Barbary Pirates, who had decided that US ships were fair game after America broke with Britain. Marines had also been used in Mexico in 1847, and had taken part in the many coastal attacks carried out by the Federal navy during the American Civil War. As a result, the Corps had "institutional experience" in naval, amphibious and infantry warfare. Had the US been asked to commit troops to support either the Shogunate or the Emperor, it would have been Marines who were sent ashore.

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.