War Elephants (ETW Unit)
| War Elephants (ETW Unit) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Class | Elephants |
| Unit Size | 40 Men |
| Weaponry | Lances |
| Morale | |
| Melee Attack | |
| Ranged Attack | |
| Defence | |
| Charge Bonus | |
| Accuracy | |
| Range | |
| Ammunition | |
| Region | India |
| Recruitment Cost | 1230 |
| Upkeep Cost | 300 |
| Turns to Build | |
| Unit Limit | |
| Building Requirements | Army Council |
| Technology Requirements | None |
| Attributes | |
These troops ride into battle on the backs of elephants, beasts who very presence spreads terror throughout enemy ranks.
Overview
Like many animals, elephants can be trained to ignore the sights, smells and, above all, hellish noises of a battlefield. They can also be trained to fight, goring men with their tusks and trampling others underfoot. Elephants make superb platforms for men to fight from, giving them an automatic height benefit over many opponents.
There are risks to using elephants in warfare. They do panic, and if they stampede they will cause terrible damage to everyone, friends and foe alike. Indian elephants, however, are relatively tractable beasts, and there is a long history of using them as beasts of burden.
There is also a long history of using unusual animals in combat, from elephants to war dogs, and even seals and dolphins in more recent times. Elephants at least stand a chance of survival, unlike the Russian mine dogs of the Second World War, who were trained to look for their dinners under enemy tanks. This doesn't sound too bad, until you learn that the dogs were carrying explosive packs on their backs. Dinner time on the battlefield was always terminal for the dog and his target tank.
Details
Elephants are unique units available only to nations native to the Indian subcontinent. They are noteworthy for their deadly charge (they have the highest charge bonus in the game) as well as formidable melee statistics. In ideal situations, a charge from a war elephant regiment can kill dozens of soldiers and almost certainly shatter morale in a matter of seconds. Unfortunately, war elephants are less wieldy or nimble than conventional cavalry, and make excellent targets for artillery and massed musket fire due to their large size.
