African Native Infantry (ETW Unit)
| African Native Infantry (ETW Unit) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Class | Line Infantry |
| Unit Size | 160 Men |
| Weaponry | Muskets |
| Morale | |
| Melee Attack | |
| Ranged Attack | |
| Defence | |
| Charge Bonus | |
| Accuracy | |
| Range | |
| Ammunition | |
| Region | North Africa |
| Recruitment Cost | 780 |
| Upkeep Cost | 190 |
| Turns to Build | |
| Unit Limit | |
| Building Requirements | Barracks |
| Technology Requirements | None |
| Attributes | |
These musket-armed troops use massed volleys to break an enemy, relying on discipline to withstand any counter fire.
Overview
“Marching regiments” or “line battalions” make up the majority of units in European-style armies. They are so called because they form the line of battle, not because they always deploy in lines. Indeed, over time the capabilities of line infantry should improve as new tactics, drill and weaponry are developed.
These soldiers carry muzzle-loading, smoothbore muskets firing lead balls as wide as a man’s thumb. These are inaccurate weapons, effective only over 200 paces or so and when fired in massed volleys. The ability to fire and reload with machine-like regularity with shot and bullet flying and comrades falling all around is what wins battles.
Historically, in many armies colonels received a fee to raise regiments, which remained their personal property and commands. They jealously guarded their rights to appoint friends, relatives and hangers-on as regimental officers. This contractor system, however, allowed unscrupulous officers to make handsome profits by pocketing the pay of non-existent soldiers. The better colonels did take a pride in their regiments, spending their own fortunes on good uniforms and weapons. The capabilities of a “standard” line infantry unit therefore varied between nations and over time. It wasn’t until the 1760s that anything approaching uniformity of drill, equipment and regulations became the norm.
Line infantry regiments remained unchanged throughout the period, and their organisational pattern still forms the basis of modern military units.
Details
African Native Infantry are essentially poorer-quality Line Infantry trainable only in North Africa. They good substitutes for regular Line Infantry if running low on funds. As with other Line Infantry units, African Native Infantry should be used to form the backbone of your army. They should be used to combat other Line Infantry units, however due to to their low statistics the cannot be wholly relied upon in the heat of battle.
