Sharpshooters (FOTS Unit)

Sharpshooters (FOTS Unit)
File:Sharpshooters FOTS.png
Class	Light Infantry
Recruitment Cost	840
Upkeep Cost	110
Requires	Buildings: Barracks
Melee Attack	4
Charge Bonus	10
Bonus vs Cavalry	0
Range	150
Accuracy	45
Reloading Skill	25
Ammunition	20
Melee Defence	2
Armour	2
Morale	6
Speed	4

Description

A few bullets, in the right targets, can turn the course of battle.

Sharpshooters are best employed to protect the flanks of an army, and to specifically target dangerous enemy units from a safe, for them at least, distance. They are armed with very accurate rifles, and can shoot targets at very long range. Anyone hit is almost certain to be taken out of the fight. They are right to consider themselves a cut above ordinary infantrymen, and this attitude gives them good morale. However, due to their low numbers, they can be vulnerable to being swamped by enemy units in close combat, or ridden down by cavalry. A wise commander keeps them out of such immediate dangers as much as possible.

Many European armies had employed skirmishers, often armed with rifles, from the Napoleonic Wars onwards. Referred to as "rifles" or as some variant of "hunters" such as "chasseurs" or "jaegers", these men were often elites within their respective army. They were selected on the basis of intelligence and resourcefulness, and often because of a background as poachers or gamekeepers! During the American Civil War units of sharpshooters were raised from among "back country boys" who relied on their skill to feed their families in times of peace. Sharpshooters, whatever they were called, were not expected to fight in open battle in the normal way of things, but to pick off officers and leaders among the enemy ranks. As technology and weaponry improved and telescopic sights became available, their ability to plunge enemy units into disarray grew too. Individual snipers were limited only by the mechanical reliability and quality of their guns, something that came as a terrible shock to many officers supposedly safe behind the lines!

Strengths & Weaknesses

• Good accuracy but average reload rate.
• Long range.
• Weak in melee.
• Weak against cavalry.
• Good morale.

Special Abilities

• Suppression Fire - This ability increases reload rate but lowers accuracy. Enemy units hit by suppression fire are slowed and suffer a morale penalty.

Other Information

	Sharpshooters	Tosa Riflemen	Yugekitai
Recruitment Cost	840	1030	1070
Upkeep Cost	110	130	140
Melee Attack	4	6	6
Charge Bonus	10	15	15
Bonus vs Cavalry	0	0	0
Range	150	150	150
Accuracy	45	45	55
Reloading Skill	25	65	30
Ammunition	20	40	20
Melee Defence	2	4	4
Armour	2	2	2
Morale	6	8	8

Sharpshooters are a very valuable unit to have for both Field Armies and Castle Garrisons as they have a shooting range of 150 which allows them to double as a first-strike unit and as a defence against Bow Units who also have 150 Range. It is strongly recommended to Recruit them In a province that has both a Firing Range and a Gunsmith as the Exceptional Accuracy Bonus will help to compensate for their slow Reload Skill.