Grenadiers (ETW Unit)

Grenadiers (ETW Unit)
Class	Grenadiers
Unit Size
Weaponry
Morale
Melee Attack
Ranged Attack
Defence
Charge Bonus
Accuracy
Range
Ammunition
Region	Worldwide
Recruitment Cost	910
Upkeep Cost	220
Turns to Build
Unit Limit
Building Requirements
Technology Requirements
Attributes

Game Description

Explosive grenades are one of the oldest types of gunpowder weapon, and one of the most dangerous to use. Grenades are a simple cast iron ball, with a fuse sticking out of the top. Fuses are notoriously unreliable, and grenadiers can die as their own bombs explode prematurely. Yet no matter how terrifying grenades are for the throwers, they are infinitely worse for the targets! Grenadiers see themselves as elite, and occupy the place of honor at the right of the line on parade. They have good reason: only large, brave men become grenadiers, because it takes a big chap to throw one properly. Even their uniform makes them look bigger thanks to the pointed grenadier’s cap; a tricorne gets in the way of a good throw.

Historically, grenadier regiments and battalions began as ad-hoc assault forces. All line infantry regiments had grenadier companies; collecting these sub-units gave commanders a useful group of heavily armed, aggressive and skilful soldiers. Grenadier companies remained in line infantry regiments after the creation of grenadier regiments, but they abandoned grenades. Instead, each grenadier company became a “heavy mob” of the biggest and strongest soldiers in a regiment.

Overview

Grenadiers are a specialized support troop. Like line infantry, grenadiers are armed with muskets. They have half the manpower of a line infantry regiment, and so should not be used to simply substitute line infantry; however, they have superior melee statistics than line infantry and great to use in breaking up enemy lines. The Grenadiers' signature ability, however, is their ability to throw grenades: short ranged, powerful explosives that have a dramatic effect on enemy morale. Grenades may sometimes be tricky to use, but they can be a great factor in winning line infantry engagements. Grenadiers have an unlimited supply of grenades, and although they automatically return to firing their muskets after throwing one salvo of grenades, they can be made to throw grenades indefinitely as long as players remember to toggle them back into grenade mode.

Once the various squad firing technologies are researched, grenadiers utilize Platoon Firing. If platoon firing is not researched, they instead use Fire by Rank.

Grenadiers are at their most effective when facing opponents that do not have squad firing technologies researched. This allows them to get into closer ranges without being punished too harshly for it.

Grenadiers cannot form square formations, reducing their effectiveness against cavalry. However, their formidable melee capabilities mean that they can stand up to most cavalry as long as they are not surprised in the flank or rear. Their smaller numbers and the short range of their grenades mean that grenadiers are less suited to engaging light infantry and artillery unless surprise is on their side.

Tactics

In small engagements, grenadiers can be used to fire their muskets once, advance quickly, throw their grenades, then engage in melee for the most damage in the shortest time possible. Unless faced with withering fire, grenadiers will generally outclass line infantry with such a tactic.

In larger battles against line infantry, the Karoliner tactic (a favored strategy by Charles XII of Sweden) can be used to great effect. Grenadiers form a line directly behind the line infantry. The line infantry fire, close in to half distance (with the grenadiers following them), and fire again. The middle rank then turns fire at will off, and the grenadiers run through them, deliver their explosive payload, then charges with the line infantry closely following them. With the centre of their line breaking, the rest of the enemy army should rout in short order.

Grenadiers benefit greatly from the Fire and Advance technology, as it allows units acting as their shield to close in on the enemy while still dishing out damage.

Defensively, grenadiers have a more limited role but are still usable. Placing grenadiers very closely behind line infantry them and setting them to use grenades allow them to toss grenades handily over the heads of line infantry and into charging enemies. The impact of grenades right as the enemy is about to hit the line infantry with their charge will have a significant effect on their morale. Grenadiers can then be used to aid the line infantry in repelling the enemy charge.

Factions

• Great Britain
• United Provinces