Walloon Guards (ETW Unit)
| Walloon Guards (ETW Unit) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Class | Elite Infantry |
| Unit Size | 160 Men |
| Weaponry | Muskets |
| Morale | |
| Melee Attack | |
| Ranged Attack | |
| Defence | |
| Charge Bonus | |
| Accuracy | |
| Range | |
| Ammunition | |
| Region | Spanish home regions |
| Recruitment Cost | 1790 |
| Upkeep Cost | 440 |
| Turns to Build | |
| Unit Limit | |
| Building Requirements | Palacio Real de Madrid |
| Technology Requirements | None |
| Attributes | |
The blue-clad Walloon Guards are an elite infantry regiment, dedicated to the service of Spain and the Royal Family.
Overview
Although a court regiment and expected to be immaculate at all times, they are also capable field soldiers. Trained to fight in line of battle, they are far steadier under fire than any ordinary infantry and equally capable in close-quarters fighting too.
Historically, this bodyguard unit was originally raised in mostly Catholic Wallonia (now part of Belgium), a Hapsburg, and therefore Spanish, possession at the time. As with other royal families, it was considered safer to have outsiders as guards for the monarch rather than locals, who might put their local sympathies ahead of royal safety in times of crisis. The loss of the Spanish Netherlands meant that non-Walloons had to be accepted into their ranks, although the name and the tradition of loyalty to the crown were retained. The first intake of Walloons had all been big men, to act as shock troops, but by the middle of the 18th Century they had been remodelled as a royal guard, consciously aping the French Bourbon Swiss Guards to add dignity to the Spanish court, by then under another branch of the Bourbon family.
Details
Recruitable only in the Spanish home regions, and available only to Spain, the Walloon Guards are a unique and Elite Line Infantry. They posses significantly higher statistics than their Line Infantry counterparts and so, can be relied upon in the heat of battle. Elite units such as the Walloon Guards should be made best use of by positioning them in the middle of the line in order to maximise the effectiveness of their morale boost.
