General's Bodyguard (ROTS Unit)

General's Bodyguard (ROTS Unit)
Class	General
Recruitment Cost	250
Upkeep Cost	100
Requires
Melee Attack	10
Charge Bonus	10
Bonus vs Cavalry	0
Melee Defence	3
Armour	7
Morale	12
Speed

Description

These loyal bodyguards protect their general from harm, regardless of the risk to their own lives.

It is a general's task to oversee a battle and inspire men whose courage is beginning to falter. He cannot do this if inconsiderate enemies are trying to kill him. His loyal bodyguards consider death in the line of duty to be among the greatest things warriors can hope to achieve. They are hand-picked from among the samurai, having demonstrated great courage and exceptional combat skills. This unit can also carry out vital manoeuvres such as flank attacks or chasing down fleeing enemies, but that may leave the general in danger. Overly aggressive actions should be undertaken only with great care. For the great Minamoto generals, the early years of life were perilous: the Taira were determined to wipe out the whole family, and often sent men to kill new-born children. Minamoto Yoshinaka's mother was forced into hiding following his father's death, and lived with a peasant woman. Taira warriors soon discovered them and were dispatched to reclaim the Minamoto flag and kill the child. The peasant woman fled with the flag, and Saito Sanemori, the Taira general, found he could not kill the child. The poor peasant had her arm, clutching the Minamoto flag, cut off by the Taira. The arm and flag were later presented as proof that the baby Yoshinaka had been murdered.

Strengths & Weaknesses

• Very good accuracy and reload rate.
• Very good in melee.
• Very good morale.
• Vulnerable to naginata armed infantry and massed archers.

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.

Inspire Unit

This unit can choose to inspire a single unit for a short period of time, boosting their morale and greatly improving their marksmanship and melee skills.

Rally

This unit can rally troops within his area of influence.

Regroup Position

This general can declare a rally position for withdrawing and routing units to pull back to, and reinforcing units to move towards.

Stand and Fight

The general dismounts and forms up with his bodyguard around him. All friendly units within a large area have their melee attack, firing rate and morale greatly increased, but the general himself is left immobile and vulnerable until the ability is deactivated.