Demi-Cannons (ETW Unit)

Demi-Cannons (ETW Unit)
Class	Fixed Artillery
Unit Size	24 men
Weaponry	24 pdr cannon
Morale
Melee Attack
Ranged Attack
Defence
Charge Bonus
Accuracy
Range
Ammunition
Region	Global
Recruitment Cost	710
Upkeep Cost	170
Turns to Build
Unit Limit
Building Requirements	Cannon Foundry
Technology Requirements	None
Attributes	Can Hide in Woodland;

A demi-cannon is a heavy artillery piece from the previous century, deployed in a fixed battlefield position.

Overview

Although obsolete, a demi-cannon is still a dangerous weapon to face as it fires a ball with a nominal weight of around 24 pounds. This large caliber makes for a large weapon with a massive gun carriage. Once properly emplaced, a demi-cannon is hard enough to adjust for aim, let alone drag to a new location! Originally, this lack of tactical mobility was not a problem, as the gun was for siege work or for a battlefield where there was little artillery present. It was unlikely to ever suffer any kind of counter-battery fire, so didn’t need to be moved.

Artillery was sometimes incredibly dangerous to its users as well as the targets: fire was a terrible risk. The artillery baggage train usually held an enormous quantity of powder, and any stray spark was liable to cause an explosion. Anyone out of place caught near the powder train could expect little mercy: some generals ordered that enemy agents should be burned alive if caught in an arson attempt, and immediate lynching for their own errant soldiers wandering too near the artillery train!

Details

Demi-cannons are slightly superior to sakers. Other than that, they are identical. They should be utilized early to provide rudimentary artillery firepower to the battlefield, and then replaced with more suitable options.