MTW Early Ghulam Bodyguards

Ghulam Bodyguards (Early)
Unit Type:	Heavy Cavalry
Combat Stats
Charge:	8
Attack:	3
Defence:	4
Armour:	4
Shield:	Cavalry
Speed:	9, 20, 22
Morale:	6
Notes:	Elite
Dismounts to:	Saracen Infantry
Unit Costs
Recruitment:	300
Upkeep:	62
Unit Restrictions
Eras:	Early
Factions:	Muslim
Buildings Needed:	Royal Court
Unit Card:

Unit Description

Early Ghulam Bodyguards are available to the Muslim factions during the Early period. They are Elite like knights, but are more easily controlled. They have low build requirements, but they only have 20 men in the unit unlike the standard 40 for other knights and heavy cavalry units. Early Ghulam Bodyguards carry the standard cavalry shield which protects them in melee and from missile weapons.

Early Ghulam Bodyguards tactics are the same as most Knight and heavy cavalry units: flank the enemy, charge them in the rear, repeat as necessary. Avoid frontal charges into spear and pike units, avoid polearm units unless an instant rout is assured, and avoid camels. Their small unit size must also be taken into account, they will not have the same impact as a full sized knight or heavy cavalry unit and can be overwhelmed if they are not watched over carefully. This is especially important if the unit contains an heir or the faction leader.

Early Ghulam Bodyguards serve as the royal bodyguard units for the Muslim factions. The faction leader and heirs will appear on the campaign map leading early Ghulam Bodyguard units, and will all be upgraded to High Ghulam Bodyguards when the High period starts (existing non-royal units, including "royal uncles" will not be upgraded). As they cannot be retrained in High or beyond, maintaining units of early Ghulam Bodyguards beyond year 1205 can be a tough task, and keeping around an uber-general in an obsolete unit can be difficult.

In siege battles, early Ghulam Bodyguards may be dismounted for Saracen Infantry.

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