Naginata Levy Garrison (ROTS Unit)

Naginata Levy Garrison (ROTS Unit)
Class	Heavy Infantry
Recruitment Cost
Upkeep Cost	0
Requires
Melee Attack	4
Charge Bonus	7
Bonus vs Cavalry	15
Melee Defence	3
Armour	2
Morale	4
Speed

Description

These fairly reliable troops carry fearsome naginatas, long polearms that are deadly against any opponents.

A naginata is a long staff with a curved blade-like sword on one end. It requires skill to use proficiently, and has much in common with a spear and sword both: it can stab like a spear, or cut like a sword as circumstances require. In skilled hands, for example, it has the reach to decapitate a horseman. Despite their weaponry and their numerical strength, naginata levies are still vulnerable to missile attacks, and should not be expected to defeat the very best quality enemies. Historically, the naginata was a weapon much favoured for self-defence by samurai ladies when their men were away at war. The polearm's length compensated for the difference in height and reach between men and women. It was not, though, a woman's weapon: the sohei monks used it with some skill, and samurai sometimes favoured it for mounted combat. A competent horseman could stand in the stirrups, whirling a naginata and striking at enemies to left and right.

Strengths & Weaknesses

• Fairly good against infantry and cavalry.
• Low morale.
• Large unit size.
• Weak against higher quality troops.

Abilities

Screens

A shield that can be erected during the deployment phase when you are defending. It impedes the movement of enemies, and blocks enemy projectiles.