Bow Ki (FOTS Unit)

Bow Ki (FOTS Unit)
File:Bow Ki FOTS.png
Class	Bow Cavalry
Recruitment Cost	680
Upkeep Cost	130
Requires	Buildings: Master Dojo
Melee Attack	5
Charge Bonus	10
Bonus vs Cavalry	0
Range	150
Accuracy	50
Reloading Skill	35
Ammunition	25
Melee Defence	2
Armour	4
Morale	10
Speed	12

Description

The storm blows its last. Fallen across the battlefield: The arrows' harvest.

These mounted archers are defiantly traditional, or old-fashioned, in their approach to warfare, but no less deadly for that. An enemy killed by an arrow is just as dead as one shot by a bullet. Armed with powerful Japanese bows, the bow ki samurai can pepper enemy units at a distance, and rapidly move out of trouble if threatened. Long years of dedication mean that they are very good, very quick shots; the bushido code gives them good morale in battle. However, they are vulnerable to rifle fire and will suffer badly if they are ever in close combat against yari-armed troops.

Samurai warfare has centuries-old traditions, and among the oldest of those is to use the bow from horseback. This was the way of samurai warfare long before the katana became the signature armament of this warrior class. As mounted bowmen, samurai were magnificently dangerous enemies, and even retained the advantage in combat against matchlock-armed troops. As in Europe, the extinction of bow-armed troops on the battlefield had nothing to do with their combat effectiveness. It was entirely due to the difficulty of training them: it took years for an archer to become a truly excellent combat bowman. Almost any illiterate idiot could be taught to use a matchlock and point the noisy, business end at the enemy. Once this was understood samurai bowmen were doomed, slain by gold (or its lack), not bullets.

Strengths & Weaknesses

• Fast and can fire on the move.
• High accuracy and range.
• Weak against massed foot missile units.
• Weak in melee.

Special Abilities

• Swooping Crane - This unit can arrange itself into a moving circular formation, harrassing the enemy with a constant rate of fire.

Other Information

As the only Cavalry Unit with a range of 150, the Bow Ki is undoubtedly excellent for hit-and-run attacks since it out-ranges all of the modern units except for Light Infantry. It can quickly move into position to await the enemy, swoop in to pepper them with a volley of arrows at a safe distance, and then run away to deny any effective chance at retaliation. When faced with incoming Rifle Infantry, the Bow Ki can simply hide behind a hill and keep attacking without fear of counter-fire. A reliable unit for both offensive and defensive situations despite its undeniable obsolescence.