New free units - discussion thread

[KLAssurbanipal]

May 20th

Hi guys,

We will shortly be releasing a number of free new units for Empire: Total War. Today I would like to reveal the first of these - Russian Grenadiers. This new Russian unit is great for assaults and their grenades pack a mighty punch!




June 3rd:

Hi guys,

Today we'd like to reveal the second of the free units that we will shortly be releasing. The Holland Guards from the United Provinces are superior line infantry units. Carrying smoothbore muskets, they were traditionally chosen to protect the royal family and have an incredibly high morale, often making them the last troops to break in a fight.




June 8th

Hi guys,

The third free unit that we will shortly be releasing is the Spanish Guardias de corps. The cavalry unit is only available in a monarchy system and are very strong at charge and melee. This unit will replace the standard household cavalry to add a unique flavour to the faction.




June 9th:

Hi guys,

The latest free unit we'd like to reveal for the upcoming free unit pack is the Swedish 'Lifeguards of foot'

These are a highly trained replacement for the standard Swedish guard. They are often used as a force in a system that defends a monarchy and can be relied upon for utter loyalty and deadly accuracy in the field. Their professionalism is reflected in their fearsome battle reputation.




June 11th

Hi guys,

Today's slightly late update reveals another forthcoming free unit. The Prussian Garde Du Corp are a replacement for the Prussian standard Household cavalry. These heavy horse shock troops are best used to break enemy lines and overrun enemy positions. With a strong charge and fearsome attack, these riders make short work of those who would oppose a Prussian monarch.




June 12th

Hi guys,

Today we introduce the Spanish Grenadiers. They are a replacement for the standard Spanish Grenadiers with a distinctive bearskin hat to mark them out as exemplary on the battlefield.




June 15th

Hi guys,

Today's update features a forthcoming free Prussian unit. The Prussian life guards are equipped similarly to line infantrymen. However their uniforms are altogether more splendid, marking them out as a superior force, in arrogance if nothing else. They do a good job as garrison troops and are dedicated to the crown.




June 16th

Hi guys,

For the second part of today's daily update, we introduce another free unit - the Prussian Grenadiers. Wearing a distinctive brass fronted mitre cap, the Prussian Grenadiers are an explosive force to be reckoned with on the battlefield.



Thanks,

Mark O'Connell
(aka SenseiTW)


Historical Mitre hats for Russian and Prussian grenadiers;
historical Bearskin hats for Spanish grenadiers.
Spanish uniforms recoloured from yellow to white (similar to France and Austria). Now this faction looks better and more historicaly.

More variety of uniforms, specific uniforms for unique factions units!


These faces aren't clones! In full details we can see four types of faces.

Faces of new units are better than from normal guards and grenadiers from clean ETW. More details, and more variety: mustaches, beards, blonde, brunette and brown hair (earlier all grenadiers and guards were brunettes):

[Tsavong]

Oh, cool


Zerg likes free stuff

[Didz]

The uniforms are wrong, and none of these units would have allowed their men to wear beards. The Dutch never had a regiment called the Holland Guards.

They did have an elite infantry regiment of three battalions which was usually referred to as 'The Blue Guard' and fought heroically at the Battles of the Boyne, Fluerus and the seige of Limerick. But its official designation was Regiment nr 4 'Naasau-Saarbrucken' or 'Regiment Otlweiler' if using the colonel's name.

There were other guard regiments such as Regiment nr 33 Johnan Willem Friso's Regiment referred to as 'The Frisian Guards'. There were also a number of foriegn regiments in Dutch Services such as the Scottish Brigade, The Swiss Brigade, Hugenoet, Prussian and Swedish Regiments.

The problem seems to be that the uniform references in the New York museum are sketches by a Frenchman, who labelled them in French, so whilst the uniforms themselves might be accurate the labelling is generic. E.g grendiere de hollandershe guards should be literally translated to a Grendadier of a Dutch guard regiment.

Some of the plates do seem to have secodnary scribbling on which might actually identify the unit they depict if I could decipher them.

One looks like it might say Kronprinz v. Preussen which would make it Regiment nr 53, another says something like Preen, Werma a Nederlandisher which doesn't match anything in the Dutch Regimental lists but could be identifying the regiment by the name of its colonel.

The artillery print is clearly from Artillery Regiment Sebastien Van Glabercq but unfortunately the guy who wrote these notes had appalling handwriting, and some of them had a lot of informaiton on which is practically illegible.

In the meantime more work for the modders I suspect.

[Prodigal]

I hope there is some variation in the unit stat's even if its negliable, facing off, (no pun intentded), against troops that look different but are essentially100% the same makes for boring battles. Having a slightly increased range/accuracy no matter how small really changes combat as troops manoever becomes a must.

[Didz]

I hope there is some variation in the unit stat's even if its negliable, facing off, (no pun intentded), against troops that look different but are essentially100% the same makes for boring battles. Having a slightly increased range/accuracy no matter how small really changes combat as troops manoever becomes a must.

Well unfortunately, most of these troops were armed and trained in exactly the same way so any variety introduced would be have to be fabricated. I think CA actually have a major problem with this game in that they appear to be trying to satisfy two competing markets. Those who are looking for a wargame which accurately reflects warfare in the 18th Century and those who want 'Halo3 with muskets.'

Unfortunately, it looks to me as though in trying to keep both camps happy CA are falling through the gap in the middle and are in danger of satsifying neither group.

[KLAssurbanipal]

These uniforms aren't 100% historically, I know, I have many pictures sources... but these uniforms are better than clean ETW. :)
So, will you prefer units from clean? Example: Russian Grenadier in British uniforms and cap, Spanish Grenadiers in British cap and not historical yellow uniforms? These new are similar to original uniforms, examples: Spanish grenadiers now have historical hats, and uniforms colours...
Prussian Garde du Corps are blue because in all TW games faction have one colours. Prussia are blue, so this unit too. It will be weird if prussian Guards should wear bright yellow uniform, because what about other units? Example: French infantry should be white, dragoons green, cuirassiers blue, genadrmes red... etc... These changes in texture can make in MODS :)

I think that new units are better than olders. They will give us more variety in game.

BTW, I'm very happy that CA will release new, better units. I like especially Russian and Spanish grenadiers.

[Didz]

Yep! it will keep the modder's busy.

[Marquis of Roland]

As long as they come out with new hats

[antisocialmunky]

As long as they come out with new hats

Tophats FTW. Now, when are they going to make those Russian Bear Cavalry units?

[WackiestPaladin]

Do these new units download automatically as a patch, or do you have to enter code like the ones that came with the SF version. Or are they not available yet?

[antisocialmunky]

they not available yet?

Answer

[Wausser]

Rather big image:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The Prussian life guards are equipped similarly to line infantrymen. However their uniforms are altogether more splendid, marking them out as a superior force, in arrogance if nothing else. They do a good job as garrison troops and are dedicated to the crown.

[Prodigal]

Well unfortunately, most of these troops were armed and trained in exactly the same way so any variety introduced would be have to be fabricated. I think CA actually have a major problem with this game in that they appear to be trying to satisfy two competing markets. Those who are looking for a wargame which accurately reflects warfare in the 18th Century and those who want 'Halo3 with muskets.'

Unfortunately, it looks to me as though in trying to keep both camps happy CA are falling through the gap in the middle and are in danger of satsifying neither group.

Fair point on the weaponry, but Prussia for example could generally reload faster than other troops simply because they trained their troops more & introduced iron ram rods rather than using wooden ones.

Course its a game & not designed for full on historical accuracy, but small variations, like Prussian line infantry having a slightly faster reload time and other factions having a bit more ammo, or slighty better or worse cannon ranges, small things like that could make the actual battles alot more varied as you come into conflict with different factions.

Using the above as an example, you'll get shot more by Prussians, but they'll run out of ammo quicker, which would make things a bit more interesting than they are now.

[KLAssurbanipal]

I updated first post.

[Didz]

Prussian line infantry having a slightly faster reload time and other factions having a bit more ammo, or slighty better or worse cannon ranges, small things like that could make the actual battles alot more varied as you come into conflict with different factions.

Using the above as an example, you'll get shot more by Prussians, but they'll run out of ammo quicker, which would make things a bit more interesting than they are now.

That would have been a valid variation.

Prussia's introduction of the iron ramrod was supposed to allow their infantry to reload two or three times faster than their other european counterparts. So, I would have expected to see the iron ramrod right there is the tech tree and provided to Prussia at the start of the game, giving Austria, Russia and France a challenge to catch up before they got walked over.

But oddly enough, its missing, and the only reason I can think of is that CA were worried about upsetting the MP crowd by having Prussian infantry so much more powerful the other factions.

[al Roumi]

There already are stat differences between different factions' line infantry, but they are quite subtle and have tried to be balanced for game play -never mind MP or not. Eg Austria's unit size is larger, but their drill stats are lower, i think Russia's line inf has higher moralle but also lower drill stats.

I did see, maybe on Heaven or TWC, a chart that someone had pulled together listing all the stat differences.

Maybe you aren't noticing the differences in game play or they are too subtle to be noticed? Changes to range would be pretty major, like the pre patch 3 double barreled musket debacle, and even in single player, totaly skew the game.

[KLAssurbanipal]

new update

[Prodigal]

There already are stat differences between different factions' line infantry, but they are quite subtle and have tried to be balanced for game play -never mind MP or not. Eg Austria's unit size is larger, but their drill stats are lower, i think Russia's line inf has higher moralle but also lower drill stats.

I did see, maybe on Heaven or TWC, a chart that someone had pulled together listing all the stat differences.

Maybe you aren't noticing the differences in game play or they are too subtle to be noticed? Changes to range would be pretty major, like the pre patch 3 double barreled musket debacle, and even in single player, totaly skew the game.

Downloaded a unit, and you're right, there are differences.

I stand rebuked course the one unit I'd bothered to check in game was grenadiers...And guess what, they appear to be the only units that are all the same. All good though, they implemented my must have feature

[KLAssurbanipal]

Full List!!!!!

Spanish: 3, Prussia: 3, Dutch: 4!
Swedish: 2, Russia: 1


Swedish ‘Lifeguards of foot’
These are a highly trained replacement for the standard Swedish guard. They are often used as a force in a system that defends a monarchy and can be relied upon for utter loyalty and deadly accuracy in the field. Their professionalism is reflected in their fearsome battle reputation.

Swedish lifeguard horse
This cavalry regiment forms part of the monarchs’ household guard. Superbly drilled, they act as a shock force on the battlefield.

Holland Guard
The Holland Guards from the United Provinces are superior line infantry units. Carrying smoothbore muskets, they were traditionally chosen to protect the royal family and have an incredibly high morale, often making them the last troops to break in a fight.

Holland Horse Guard
Armed with heavy cavalry sabres, these disciplined cavalrymen represent the elite of the army.

Prussian Garde Du Corp
The Prussian Garde Du Corp are a replacement for the Prussian standard Household cavalry. These heavy horse shock troops are best used to break enemy lines and overrun enemy positions. With a strong charge and fearsome attack, these riders make short work of those who would oppose a Prussian monarch.

Prussian Life guard
The Prussian life guards are equipped similarly to line infantrymen. However their uniforms are altogether more splendid, marking them out as a superior force, in arrogance if nothing else. They do a good job as garrison troops and are dedicated to the crown.

Prussian Grenadiers
Wearing a distinctive brass fronted mitre cap, the Prussian Grenadiers are an explosive force to be reckoned with on the battlefield.

Russian Grenadiers
This new Russian unit is great for assaults and their grenades pack a mighty punch!

Spanish Guardias De Corp
The Spanish Guardias De Corp replace household cavalry for Spain. With almost unbreakable morale, on the charge they are almost unstoppable.

Spanish Guardias de infateria
These elite guard infantry are charged with protecting the monarch and are a potent force on the battlefield.

Spanish Grenadiers
These are a replacement for the standard Spanish Grenadiers with a distinctive bearskin hat to mark them out as exemplary on the battlefield.



Bonus:

Scots
The Scots are a Highland ex-patriate infantry used by the United Provinces, renowned for their deadly charge.
Swiss Infantry
Very disciplined infantry of the United Provinces with quick reload and excellent marksmanship.
Mamelukes
Mamelukes are fearless light horsemen, deadly when deployed against a broken or unsupported enemy.
Additionally the Spanish nation has had a new uniform design to better reflect its historical look.


I think that France should have Swiss Infantry too!

[Marquis of Roland]

no British Grenadiers eh?

[KLAssurbanipal]

France should have: Hussars, Mousqetaires de la Garde, Gardes Francaises and Swiss Infantry. These were famous units in 18th century French Army! Swiss Infantry was most popular in French Army than Dutch.... :(

[Fisherking]

Oh and what about French Dragoons?

I don’t know why they don’t have them other than not to have units that keep order.

And light dragoons...

[resonantblue]

i'm all for varied units.

the more the better.

mp balance is a non-issue - you can balance everything by cost to make it viable in MP.

[Elmar Bijlsma]

France should have: Hussars, Mousqetaires de la Garde, Gardes Francaises and Swiss Infantry. These were famous units in 18th century French Army! Swiss Infantry was most popular in French Army than Dutch.... :(

On the Swiss Infantry, I'm not sure you are correct. To my knowledge French employment of Swiss mercenaries was mostly in the role of Guards. The Dutch however used mercenaries far more widely. Scots, Germans and Swiss and many other nationalities played a big part in the Dutch military muscle. They relied on them to maintain a credible force.
Basically, if the Swiss had left French service only the royal Household would have noticed. If the Swiss had left Dutch service it would've been a disastrous weakening of their army.

[KLAssurbanipal]

Swiss Infantry in french army:

Maison du Roi
Cent-Suisses
Gardes Suisses

Swiss Line Infantry Regiments
49- Jenner
50- Boccard
51- Reding
52- Castellas
55- Wittmer / Waldner
63- Planta / d'Arbonnier
90- Diesbach
91- Courten
102- Salis de Mayenfeld

So there is many Swiss regiments in french Army :)


and other foreign regiments in french Army:

Italian Line Infantry Regiments
48- Royal Italien
103- Royal Corse

Liégeois Line Infantry Regiments
120- Vierzet
121- Horion

Scottish Line Infantry Regiments
107- Royal Écossais
113- O'Gilvy

Irish Line Infantry Regiments
92- Bulkeley
93- O'Brien de Clare
94- Dillon
98- Rooth
99- Berwick / Fitz James
109- Lally

German Line Infantry Regiments
36- Alsace
46- Bentheim
66- La Marck
95- Royal Suédois
101- Royal Bavière
106- Lowendahl
108- Bergh
110- Nassau-Ussingen

[Shahed]

Fantastic work!