Infantry Units

[Robespierre]

What about the foot battalions? how do units of different states', muskets, lights, guards, match up? how does upteching improve your line soldiers? feel free to post some screenshots!

[ZIM!!]

All the infantry units look pretty similar from nation to nation (in Europe anyways) they’re doesn’t seem to be a lot of unique units its too bad because in this period there were so many. They all looked different.

[lars573]

Actually most infantry DID look the same. The most difference one unit would have from another would be secondary colours on the collars/cuffs/facings and other things like buttons, lace, or straps.

[Graphic]

Actually most infantry DID look the same. The most difference one unit would have from another would be secondary colours on the collars/cuffs/facings and other things like buttons, lace, or straps.

You're right. So many people seem to be mixing this game up with the Napoleonic era.

[lars573]

Even then the only different unifroms are going for different unit types. Yes Napoleonic French infantry won't look like British infantry. But all the French Infantry will look the same.

[Sheogorath]

Actually most infantry DID look the same. The most difference one unit would have from another would be secondary colours on the collars/cuffs/facings and other things like buttons, lace, or straps.

Only for the first half of the game. Post 1750's things tended to have much more variety, although states did tend to base their uniforms on those of whoever won the last war (I believe Prussia was popular prior to the Napoleonic Wars, then Russia). And even pre-1750's there was still some variety, although typically in the more elite units, such as grenadiers and guards, who got more expensive hats.

And, furthermore, similarities tended to be regional. While the French and Spanish were similar, the Austrians and Prussians were a bit different, and the Swedes and Russians even more so. True, Peter the Great adopted a European (French, I believe) style uniform for his troops, but considering the state of the Russian army in 1700 you'd be hard pressed to find two soldiers who looked alike.

We wont even go into cavalry. I'm sure I dont need to speak of the lunacy involved in their uniforms.

[Sir Beane]

A basic comparison of different unit types.

Line infantry are solid at shooting and melee, best all round unit.
Elite line infatry (guards) are obviously even better, but not available until later.
Early skirmishers are good at shooting, much weaker in melee.
Late skirmishers are fantastic at shooting and have huge range, still bad at melee.
Grenadiers are good if they can get a grenade barrage off, otherwise they perform like a half strength line unit.
Pikemen are flat out rubbish unless you are using them against cavalry.
There are some specialised melee infantry, these are good in seige situations.

[Sheogorath]

A basic comparison of different unit types.

Line infantry are solid at shooting and melee, best all round unit.
Elire line infatry (guards) are obviously even better, but not available until later.
Early skirmishers are good at shooting, much weaker in melee.
Late skirmishers are fantastic at shooting and have huge range, still bad at melee.
Grenadiers are good if they can get a grenade barrage off, otherwise they perform like a half strength line unit.
Pikemen are flat out rubbish unless you are using them against cavalry.
There are some specialised melee infantry, these ar egood in seige situations.

I find that a good tactic is to pair up your melee infantry and line infantry (if you happen to be a faction that has both). For instance, Russia.

Russian cossacks are balls at melee, but the streltsy are pretty good at it. Hence, you line your streltsy up behind the cossacks, and, when it comes time for the charge, have your streltsy run THROUGH the Cossacks.

Not only do you get the melee bonus, but you preserve your melee unit and let them fight against a much weaker enemy.

[Sir Beane]

I find that a good tactic is to pair up your melee infantry and line infantry (if you happen to be a faction that has both). For instance, Russia.

Russian cossacks are balls at melee, but the streltsy are pretty good at it. Hence, you line your streltsy up behind the cossacks, and, when it comes time for the charge, have your streltsy run THROUGH the Cossacks.

Not only do you get the melee bonus, but you preserve your melee unit and let them fight against a much weaker enemy.

Smart tactics . I often play as Britain though, and they don't seem to get any melee units at all. I wish they got Highland Clansmen...

[andrewt]

I find that a good tactic is to pair up your melee infantry and line infantry (if you happen to be a faction that has both). For instance, Russia.

Russian cossacks are balls at melee, but the streltsy are pretty good at it. Hence, you line your streltsy up behind the cossacks, and, when it comes time for the charge, have your streltsy run THROUGH the Cossacks.

Not only do you get the melee bonus, but you preserve your melee unit and let them fight against a much weaker enemy.

You forgot to say, turn off the cossack fire at will at the last second, or your streltsies won't reach the enemy.

[Sheogorath]

Smart tactics . I often play as Britain though, and they don't seem to get any melee units at all. I wish they got Highland Clansmen...

Dont they get pikemen? Well, the other option is to use a cheap militia unit, then shoot them in the back.

Remember the scene from Braveheart?

King Edward: "Tell the archers to fire."

General Fellow: "But milord, our men are still out there."

King Edward: (looks surprised): "Yes? But we'll hit theirs too."

EDIT:

@andrewt
Actually, space providing, I like to have them move around to the flank and fire into the enemies rear, or at least pin flankers.

[Sir Beane]

Dont they get pikemen? Well, the other option is to use a cheap militia unit, then shoot them in the back.

Remember the scene from Braveheart?

King Edward: "Tell the archers to fire."

General Fellow: "But milord, our men are still out there."

King Edward: (looks surprised): "Yes? But we'll hit theirs too."

I was discounting pikemen because they are actually worse in melee than line infantry. Although I have to admit they look cool in pikewall formation and pike square .

[Sheogorath]

I was discounting pikemen because they are actually worse in melee than line infantry. Although I have to admit they look cool in pikewall formation and pike square .

All the more reason to use them up :P

[DisruptorX]

Dont they get pikemen? Well, the other option is to use a cheap militia unit, then shoot them in the back.

Remember the scene from Braveheart?

King Edward: "Tell the archers to fire."

General Fellow: "But milord, our men are still out there."

King Edward: (looks surprised): "Yes? But we'll hit theirs too."

EDIT:

@andrewt
Actually, space providing, I like to have them move around to the flank and fire into the enemies rear, or at least pin flankers.

Just watched that movie again, quite possibly the best line in the movie.
"won't we hit our own men?"
"Yes. But we'll hit theirs too" .

Pikemen, despite being equipped only with a melee weapon are no better at melee than line infantry, and due to casualties they sustain while closing the distance, will often lose.

While a poster above said that pikemen are useless unless fighting cavalry, in my experience they are useless even when fighting cavalry.

[Monarch]

Smart tactics . I often play as Britain though, and they don't seem to get any melee units at all. I wish they got Highland Clansmen...

In late era mp they get the Black Watch, which are good-at-melee-scotsman, are they not available in the campaign?

Anyways, the boring way is to spam grenadiers, micromange the overpowered grenades and watch the enemy lines be obliterated. I'm currently at 1750 with the Brits, basically spamming line infantry. Will start to incorporate some skirmishers in my armies soon.

[Sir Beane]

In late era mp they get the Black Watch, which are good-at-melee-scotsman, are they not available in the campaign?

Anyways, the boring way is to spam grenadiers, micromange the overpowered grenades and watch the enemy lines be obliterated. I'm currently at 1750 with the Brits, basically spamming line infantry. Will start to incorporate some skirmishers in my armies soon.

They are available in the campaign, but I haven't seen them yet .

You can't realy 'spam' line infantry. They are meant to be used en masse .

[ArtillerySmoke]

From what I've seen so far, the units do have a different look for each faction.

Most of the units are relatively similar, but I think they all carry their own nationalistic flavor to them. For example, the hats on the Russian troops.